STAGE TUBE: Ryan Seacrest Pays Homage to Dick Clark

AMERICAN IDOL host Ryan Seacrest paid tribute to his personal idol, Dick Clark immediately following the end of last night's show. Clark died of a masssive heart attack at the age of 82 yesterday. Seacrest expressed his thoughts to the press, giving the music industry legend much of the credit for his own career success. 

"It's a tremendously emotional day for so many people," said Seacrest. "Fans of music, fans of television, broadcasters and certainly me personally as Dick Clark was one of those incredible pioneers of our business. He taught me how to do television, I studied him as a kid and I had the fortunate opportunity to work with him for several years on New Years Eve."

At the opening of last night's show, Seacrest commented that if it weren't for Dick Clark, a show like AMERICAN IDOL would "not exist".

Watch Ryan Seacrest pay tribute to Dick Clark below.