'Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve.' We've rung in two new years since the death of the man whose name became so synonymous with watching the ball drop in Times Square, that it's still in the title of the show. Dick Clark created 'New Year's Rockin' Eve' as a way to compete with Guy Lombaro's coverage of the ball drop from the Waldorf-Astoria which featured performances of big band music. Dick felt there needed to be a show that would appeal to younger viewers and in 1973, 'New Year's Rockin' Eve' was born.

Dick hosted the show for 30 years until he had a stroke in December 2004. Regis Philbin hosted that year while Dick recovered. Clark returned in 2006, but the damage from the stroke was very apparent. It made me feel uncomfortable to watch this man with the once powerful voice, counting down as he slurred his words and struggled to keep up. But you know what? He was there and everything was right again! He would go on to be there every year until his death in April of 2012. Ringing in 2012 would be he last.

Just before midnight last night we all turned on ABC to watch the ball drop in Times Square and it still surprised me when I saw Ryan Seacrest. Of course I knew Dick was gone, but it was such a tradition for me to see him that for a fleeting moment I forgot. This man WAS New Year's Eve for me, and Times Square is where he was supposed to be and where HE wanted to be. It's just not the same anymore.

His signature sign off seems appropriate: "For now...Dick Clark. So long."

Here's the legend doing what he did best back in 1985.

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