- - 17 Vintage Photos of “Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve ”Over the Years “— ”from Familiar Co-Hosts to Fun Musical Guests

Stephanie SengweDecember 31, 2025 at 3:30 AM

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Margaret Cho, Dick Clark and Steve Harvey

Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve has been a must-watch each New Year's Eve over the last five decades.

Beginning in 1972, the special was launched on NBC before later moving to ABC in 1974 and has been there since. Over the years, Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve has grown in popularity with generational talents such as Linda Ronstadt, Will Smith, Mariah Carey, Taylor Swift, the Jonas Brothers and more, taking the stage.

While Clark helmed the show from 1972 to 2004, Ryan Seacrest officially took over as the main host in 2005 after Clark suffered a stroke the year prior. The broadcast was later modified to Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest.

As stars such as Diana Ross, Ciara, Little Big Town, Maren Morris and Le Sserafim and more, prepare to rock the stage and send us into 2026 tonight, look back at NYRE shows from years past.

01 of 17

Ladies' Man

Fred A. Sabine/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Al Green

Al Green brought his silky vocals to the inaugural show back in 1972.

02 of 17

Raw Talent

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Linda Ronstadt

The following year, Linda Ronstadt was one of the musical guests.

03 of 17

Trailblazer

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Dick Clark

Dick Clark was ready to get the festivities going as he donned a party hat for the 1974 show.

04 of 17

Sister, Sister

Craig Sjodin /American Broadcasting Companies via Getty

The Judds

Sisters Naomi and Wynonna Judd brought the house down as they ushered in 1986.

05 of 17

Party People

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John Stamos, Heather Locklear

John Stamos, Heather Locklear and their oh-so-'80s hair were ready to ring in 1988.

06 of 17

Hello, 1992

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Shannen Doherty, Stephen Baldwin,

A young Shannen Doherty and Stephen Baldwin made an appearance during the 1991 to 1992 broadcast.

07 of 17

Fresh Prince

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Will Smith

Will Smith took the mic and rocked the house for the 1991 into 1992 broadcast.

08 of 17

Dynamic Trio

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Margaret Cho, Dick Clark and Steve Harvey

Dick Clark posed with Margaret Cho and Steve Harvey, who co-hosted with him in 1994.

09 of 17

TV Stars

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DL Hughley, Elise Neal, Dick Clark

Clark was joined by D.L. Hughley and Elise Neal, who co-hosted the show in 1996. At the time, the pair were playing husband and wife in the widely popular The Hughleys.

10 of 17

Host with the Most

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Regis Philbin

In 2004, a spiffy Regis Philbin filled in as host for Dick Clark.

11 of 17

Passing the Torch

Andrew H. Walker/Getty for DCPNYE

Ryan Seacrest and Dick Clark

Dick Clark appeared with Ryan Seacrest back in 2008. His last official appearance would come in 2011, as he ushered in 2012 with the former American Idol host. He died the following April.

12 of 17

Showing Love

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Mariah Carey with Dick Clark

Clark got a big hug from Mariah Carey during the 2006 show.

13 of 17

Songbird

Bryan Bedder/DCP/Getty for DCP

Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera was in high spirits while performing with a dancer in 2006.

14 of 17

'Pon De Replay'

Bryan Bedder/DCP/Getty for DCP

Rihanna

And an up-and-coming Rihanna also hit the stage at the Nokia Theatre that year.

15 of 17

Burnin' It Up

Bryan Bedder/Getty for DCPNYE

Nick Jonas, Joe Jonas and Kevin Jonas

The Jonas Brothers turned it up on the stage for the 2008 show.

16 of 17

In Her Party Era

Bryan Bedder/Bryan Bedder/Getty for DCPNYE

Taylor Swift

Also present to ring in 2009, Taylor Swift took to the stage during the brisk New York winter.

17 of 17

Girl Power

Kevin Winter/Getty for DCPNYE

The Pussycat Dolls were at the height of their powers when they performed during the 2008 broadcast.

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