The event organizer says she has lined up Dick Clark, Gov. Ridge, Mayor Rendell and several other celebrities for the dedication of a historical marker in front of the former West Philadelphia TV studio where ``American Bandstand'' was born.
The problem is the state highway marker contained an error and was hustled back to the foundry by Federal Express Monday in hopes that it can be corrected and put in place for the big event scheduled for noon Aug. 5.
The marker will stand in front of the former WFIL-TV Channel 6 studio at 4548 Market St. It lauds ``American Bandstand'' for its ``major impact on the music, dance and lifestyles of American teen-agers.''
The mistake declares that Dick Clark became the show's host in 1959 when he actually became host in 1956. The marker correctly says the show debuted nationwide on Aug. 5, 1957.
The highway sign is one of scores in the city prepared by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to be put in place by the Streets Department.
Highway Engineer John Scruggs says this isn't the first time the city has found an error in one of the historical markers. He said it was shipped back to the foundry in Erie, Pa., to be corrected.
The former studio, under the El tracks, dates to 1947 and was one of the first buildings designed and constructed for television.
It stood empty for many years and is now headquarters of the nonprofit West Philadelphia Enterprise Center, an ``incubator'' that supplies space and support for new businesses.
Center President Della Clark, who is not related to Dick Clark, says Clark is scheduled to attend the dedication. She's hoping several entertainers who made a name for themselves on the show, including Chubby Checker and Bobby Rydell, will also be there.
``It has got to be here by Aug. 5; everything is set,'' says Clark.
