Tisch Gala 2012: Clive Davis Reflects On Dick Clark's Death And Their Personal Relationship

Dick Clark passed away at the age of 82 on Wednesday morning from a massive heart attack. Since his death celebrities have shown their outpouring of love for the American Bandstand originator. Last night at the Tisch Gala in New York City Sony Music Entertainment CEO, Clive Davis, reflected on Clark and his impact on music.

Dick was a true pioneer, Davis said. He was there with American Bandstand before MTV, before American Idol. He brought to our culture for the first time the real Rock 'n' Roll before anybody else. He was a true pioneer.

Davis also revealed that he worked with Clark several times over his career and had a close relationship with him personally.

For me personally he produced Arista's fifteenth anniversary show for CBS, he produced our twenty-fifth anniversary, Davis continued. He came every year to my pre-Grammy gala with his wife, loved it. So we had a personal relationship, a professional relationship, but certainly representing musicians, record executives everywhere this was a giant of really music and it's a sad day, we all have heavy hearts.

When news of Clark's death hit on Wednesday afternoon many celebrities took to the web to express their feelings about the legendary host. Ryan Seacrest, who replaced Clark as host for New Year's Rockin' Eve after Clark suffered a stroke in 2004 that left him unable to host the show, made a statement at the beginning of American Idol Wednesday night.

Without Dick, a show like this would not exist, Seacrest said. It's a tremendously emotional day for so many people. Fans of music, fans of television, broadcasters and certainly me personally as Dick Clark was one of those incredible pioneers of our business. He taught me how to do television, I studied him as a kid and I had the fortunate opportunity to work with him for several years on New Year's Eve. He will be missed greatly. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. I know he is in a better place and he is saying hey lets go on with the show.

Clark passed away Wednesday morning following an outpatient procedure the night before. Clark suffered a massive heart attack and attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. There will be no public funeral for Clark and the family is asking that in lieu of flowers to make donations to the National Parkinson's Foundation.