just the music brings back so many memories. welcome to today on a thursday morning. i m matt lauer. morning, everyone. i m savannah guthrie in for ann this morning. dick clark, one of those people that everyone felt they knew. legions of fans are fondly remembering him this morning. he died of a heart attack on wednesday at the age of 82. it s probably hard to overstate his place in the history of pop culture or music. he broke color barriers on american bandstand and introduced the world to some of the most famous performers of all time. listen to the names, buddy holly, james brown, michael jackson, madonna, and countless others. and, of course, it would not be new year s eve without dick clark right in the middle of the action in times square year after year after year after year. a stroke in 2004 forced him to hand over the primary hosting duties to ryan seacrest, but clark bravely remained on the air despite its effects. and seacrest paid tribute to his friend