Billy Cook

(1957 to 1960)
One of the most popular of the early dancer was Billy Cook.

Billy Cook was born William John Cook on 25 August 1942 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, He lived with wiith his mother Dasiy, father Billy, along with his sister Peggy. All lived in a big house in Lester, Pennsylvania. Billy graduated from Bishop Neuman High School in Philadelphia in 1960. Although he personally preferred being called Bill,,everyone on the Bandstand always called him Billy. He had dreams of becoming a Broadway dancer one day. One of the top dancers on American Bandstand, his unique dance style was a wild and almost mesmerizing spin on the classic Jitterbug.

While in high school, Cook ran track and worked partime in his dad's trash hauling business, wanted to be a professional dancer and entered at least four Bandstand dance contests, winning a fast dance contest with Barbara Levick in 1960.

His frequent dance partners were Barbara Levick and Pat Molittieri. He and Pat became close friends and stayed in touch with each other for many years.

Billy with his pompadour hairstyle and quiet charm, was often seen gliding across the floor with easy confidence. His frequent dance partners were Barbara Levick and Pat Molittieri. Together, they formed one of Bandstand’s most beloved unofficial couples, even if their romance was more imagined by fans than lived in real life.

As Bandstand grew from a local favorite to a national sensation, Billy and Pat became household names to a generation of teens. Pat, especially, drew an outpouring of attention. She reportedly received thousands of letters from fans across the country—young girls asking for beauty tips and boys professing admiration. Her responses were said to be sweet, thoughtful, and genuine.

By 1959, as Bandstand transitioned to new music styles and new faces, some of the original dancers began stepping away. Pat left the show that year. While her time on Bandstand was relatively short, her impact lingered.

Billy stayed on a bit longer, though his appearances became more occasional. Like many regulars, the fame faded gradually. There were no grand farewells—just growing up, moving on, and memories left behind in reels of kinescope film.

Pat Molittieri went on to become a journalist, writing for various publications. She brought the same warmth and sincerity to her writing that viewers once saw in her smile. Sadly, her life was cut short—she passed away in 1972 at just 32 years old. Her death shocked many who still remembered her from Bandstand.

Billy appeared on the record cover (Rock-A-Ballads) with Justine Carrelli. He recorded "Mystery Girl" on the Lawn Label. Billy also loved to sing. It’s on the Lawn label, a subsidiary of Swan Records in Philadelphia.

After Bandstand Billy worked with Dick Clark on some of his celebrity road shows and became road manager for Freddy Cannon. He also handled bookimgs and operations for the Philadelphia Civic Center. Billy Cook chose a more private life. He stayed largely out of the public eye, only occasionally appearing at reunions. Those who met him later in life described him as kind, grounded, and humble.

Billy Cook passed in 1992 at the age of 50.