American television icon Dick Clark testified before the U.S. Congress on May 2, 1960, during the investigation into the Payola scandal, where music industry figures were accused of accepting bribes for promoting certain records. Clark’s reputation survived the scandal relatively unscathed, allowing him to continue his influential career in music and television. This event highlighted issues of corruption and ethics in the entertainment industry, sparking reforms and continuing debates about the relationships between record companies and broadcasters.
