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Former Teen Idol Fabian Calls Passing Of Dick Clark Devastating

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Following word of his death, people have been leaving flowers and mementos at Dick Clark's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

A vigil was also held Wednesday night outside the American Bandstand in Branson, Mo., a theater Clark founded in 2006.

As the host of "American Bandstand," Clark introduced some of music's biggest acts for decades including Fabian Forte, who was a teen idol back in the 1950's and 1960's.

Fabian, who now lives in Fayette County, says Clark gave him his big break.

He says he was devastated by news of the legend's death.

"Someone called, a friend of mine, and told me; and it's like your heart stops," said Fabian. "It's just your heart stops for a second, because like my wife and I feel that you never think Dick Clark would ever leave us. It's shocking."

Clark had mostly dropped out of the public eye since suffering a stroke, but still appeared each year on his New Year's Eve special.

He died of a heart attack at the age of 82.

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