The Rock & Roll Collection: Dick Clark's Golden Greats, Vols. I-IV (1991)

The four-hour compilation The Rock & Roll Collection: Dick Clark's Golden Greats, Vols. I-IV is full of rock clips from the '50s to the '80s, prepared by the once-and-future Oldest Teenager in America, Dick Clark, draws on clips he assembled for an unsuccessful syndicated show. And typically for a Clark product, it presents a rather peculiar take on pop-music history — i.e., every act is equally important, the Osmond Brothers being as worthwhile as, say, Buffalo Springfield. But when you cut through the endless pop-quiz introductions, there are some wonderful performances: The Beach Boys' ''Surfin' Safari'' is essentially a 1962 proto-video, and Jackie Wilson's ''Lonely Teardrops'' oozes talent and sex appeal. B+