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Even though a stroke took him down 4 years ago, Dick Clark still plans to appear for his 36th year in Times Square.

New York City, New York (CaymanMama.com) — Even stroke can’t keep Dick Clark from stepping down from his throne during the nation’s biggest New Year’s Eve celebration. Four years following that stroke, Clark still plans to appear for his 36th year in Times Square.

Clark, 79, has been in the limelight of the cameras for 61 years and stated during a recent e-mail interview that his involvement in “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2009,” diminished though it may be, is a labor of love and “not really a job.”

“Obviously, I’m not able to be as actively involved as I used to be out on the street, up on a platform and interacting with the crowds in Times Square” in New York, Clark wrote. “Thank goodness my friend Ryan Seacrest is able to handle that end of the activity on the show these days.

The line-up for ABC-TV’s 3 1/2-hour live New Year’s celebration will include performances by such big names as Natasha Bedingfield, Fall Out Boy, Jesse McCartney, Ne-Yo, Pussycat Dolls, Solange and Robin Thicke. Fergie will host the Hollywood segments.

On December 6, 2004, Clark woke up with right-side paralysis and stated about the stroke, “Your life changes overnight.” That year, television personality Regis Philbin filled in for Clark on the New Year’s Eve show. Having survived that serious condition, Clark uses a walker or wheelchair, and still has difficulty speaking.

Clark said, “I am one of the fortunate ones who survived and have been minimally impaired, so I’m just thankful I’m still able to enjoy this once-a-year treat of bringing in the New Year.”

Source 2008-12-31 17:08:16 (GMT) (Caymanmama.com - Entertainment News)