His name alone could conjure up an entire era: The 1970s rock musical Grease, in both its Broadway and movie versions, was set in 1959 at the fictional Rydell High School. 1 marketing tool in popularmusic at the time: Dick Clarks American Bandstand. One of the tougher periods occurred in February 1966, when I toured South Vietnam for three weeks. How could I have any kind of serious relationship with Camille under those conditions? The song, written by Tony Hatch, was his fifth and final gold disc winner. In 1961, he performed at the Copacabana in New York City, where he was the youngest performer to headline at the nightclub. When he was 9, Bobby appeared on the bandleader Paul Whitemans amateur talent show, TV Teen Club, on Philadelphia television and went on to become a regular on the show for three years. Within three weeks, it was the No. He could have paid off some bills, taken a long overdue vacation with my mom, redecorated thehouse, bought a new car but no, not my dad. So we sat in the hotel bedroom for a few hours and wrote itJohn and I, sitting on twin beds with guitars. 1 record titled Butterfly with Cameos first artist, singer-guitarist Charlie Gracie. I was basically a South Philadelphia kid, and I was an East Coast guy. (He also played a nightclub singer in the 1975 film That Lady From Peking, which was shot in Australia.). [13] By that point, the British Invasion had arrived and acts such as Rydell suffered a dramatic decline in popularity. Dont worry, thats outgoing, not incoming, one Marine told me. Throughout his stardom in the 1960s, Bobby released the hit songs Kissin' Time, We Got Love, Wild One, and Swingin' School. Six decades later, teamed with his fellow singers Frankie Avalon and Fabian, he was still drawing crowds. I headlined the club three orfour more times before it finally closed its doors in 1973. In 2000, in the book The Beatles Anthology (p. 96), Paul McCartney said: John Lennon and I wrote She Loves You together. For all I knew, Cameo was considering dropping me after Id struck out three straight times. By this point, the British Invasion had arrived and acts such as Rydell suffered a dramatic decline in popularity. As such, the official announcement of Rydell's death reiterated the importance of organ donation, stating, "Rydell lived to be 79 years old through the gift of organ donation," and urging fans to become donors. On April 5, 2022, TMZ revealed that Bobby passed away at the age of 79. In return, Dick would expose Cameos recordings to his national audience. Youd have never known I was a star. He made his performance debut as a 7-year-old drummer, not a singer. Bobby Rydell continued to tour throughout the remainder of his life, often with Frankie Avalon and Fabian Forte; they performed under the name The Golden Boys. [17] He continued to perform in nightclubs, supper clubs and Las Vegas venues throughout the 1970s and 1980s, but his career was hampered by the refusal by ABKCO Records to reissue Rydell's Cameo-Parkway catalog, so it was completely unavailable until 2005, although he did re-record his hits in 1995 for K-tel Records). [15] Also during that time, Rydell served in the 103rd Engineer Battalion of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. Bands such as The Beatles became more popular, and Rydell unwittingly contributed to his own downfall by inspiring John Lennon and Paul McCartney to write She Loves You, a song that catapulted their success way beyond his. (And why not? The three had toured extensively together since 1985, billed as the Golden Boys, and were still performing together this year. In the 2000 book The Beatles Anthology, Paul McCartney was quoted as saying that he and John Lennon based She Loves You on a Bobby Rydell song. [4], Rydell cancelled a 2012 Australia tour because his health had deteriorated significantly and he was in need of urgent major surgery. "We weren't out to prove anything. An alcoholic should try never to have alcohol in their house, avoid friends who drink and never go to places where alcohol is served. Bobby returned to the stage in Las Vegas in just 6 months, turning near tragedy to triumph. [2][3], As a child, he mimicked the singers he saw on television, and at the age of seven his father took him around the clubs of Philadelphia, asking if he could sing and do some impersonations. On July 9, 2012, at age 70, he received a life-saving liver and kidney transplant and six months later, he was singing again in Las Vegas. Bobby Rydells influence on popular music was profound. [2] The original stage production of Bye Bye Birdie had no real speaking role for the character of Hugo, but the movie script was rewritten specifically to expand the part for Rydell. [4] After a couple of flops, "Kissin' Time" made the charts in 1959. Bernie and Kal would supply the show with a steady streamof acts and would bail out Dick with someone from their lineup whenever an artist from another label cancelled on him at the last moment. By the time he was eight, his reputation led to an appearance on a talent show on the national television series,TV Teen Club. [20], The street on which he was born in Philadelphia was renamed Bobby Rydell Boulevard, in his honor. From the firstmoment he played the record on his show, the stations switchboard lit up. Part of the Philadelphia music scene which also spawned Frankie Avalon and Fabian, Rydell was undoubtedly the most talented of the teen idols. Now 73 and a survivor of a 2012 operation that left him with a new kidney and liver, Rydell is happy and committed to being onstage as long as the chops are still working., Rydell made the charts in 1959 with Kissin Time, earning 11 Top 20 hits over the next five years. Rydell mimicked the singers he saw on television as a child and at the age of seven, his father took him around the clubs of Philadelphia, asking if he could sing and do some impersonations. Some of his later appearances were charity promotions for organ donation. Mr. Rydell played Hugo Peabody, the meek high school steady of Kim McAfee, played by Ann-Margret, the small-town girl chosen to give the Elvis-like Conrad Birdie a kiss on national television. 1 record titled Butterfly with Cameos first artist, singer-guitarist Charlie Gracie. "Wild One" was followed with "Little Bitty Girl" which was his second million-selling single. He responded, Talk to my dad. In 1961 at age 19, he was the youngest performer to headline the Copacabana in New York City and his father resigned from his job after 22 years as a foreman in Philadelphia, to manage his sons out-of-town engagements. "Popular Singer Now Training at Indiantown Gap", Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, History of Italian Americans in Philadelphia, List of acts who appeared on American Bandstand, "Bobby Rydell Wall Mural Wildwood Boardwalk", "Bobby Rydell, 1960s Pop Idol and Star of 'Bye Bye Birdie,' Dies at 79", "Academy Premiering Digital Restoration of Bye Bye Birdie; Ann-Margret and Bobby Rydell to Attend", "Bobby Rydell, Teenage Idol With Enduring Appeal, Dies at 79", "Bobby Rydell Comes Clean in His New Autobiography", "60s singer Rydell gets 2 organ transplants in Pa", "Bobby Rydell, singer and Philly native known for 'Wildwood Days' dies at 79", "Local singer is in national movie 'Green Book', "Bobby Rydell Charts & Awards Billboard Singles", "The Man Who Knew It Wasn't Only Rock 'n' Roll", Bobby Rydell obituary on Best Classic Bands, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bobby_Rydell&oldid=1138024217, People from Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania, Pages using infobox person with multiple spouses, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox musical artist with associated acts, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, "Everything Seemed Better (When I Was Younger)", This page was last edited on 7 February 2023, at 16:37. Rydell died of complications from pneumonia at a hospital in a suburb of his hometown of Philadelphia, according to a statement posted by his marketing and event coordinator Maria Novey. Ihad no idea what that even meant, so I just said, Talk to my dad.. [18] He had one more hit after 1965, a disco re-recording of "Sway", which reached the Billboard Easy Listening chart in 1976. When Kissin Time hit the airwaves in June of 1959, it triggered a seismic event that rippled through the company. He responded, Talk to my dad. In 1961 at age 19, he was the youngest performer to headline the Copacabana in New York City and his father resigned from his job after 22 years as a foreman in Philadelphia, to manage his sons out-of-town engagements. [19], Rydell served in the U.S. National Guard, and began his service in 1964 with two months of basic training at Fort Dix. He married Linda Hoffman in 2009. Instead of spending all of the money on himself, his father bought his son a very expensive ($525), oyster-pearl Ludwig drum kit that cost more than all of the furniture in their house. [10], That same year, Rydell portrayed Hugo Peabody in the film version of Bye Bye Birdie, also starring Ann-Margret and Dick Van Dyke. Six decades later, teamed with his fellow singers Frankie Avalon and Fabian, he was still drawing. It didnt hurt that Dick Clarks American Bandstand was broadcast in those years from Philadelphia, the home of Mr. Rydells label, Cameo Records. Learn more at www.drmirkin.com, Our site uses cookies. His father, a fan of the big bands, would take him as a child to see Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw at the Earle Theater in Philadelphia. Would you like to joinus? Then he asked me what I was drinking. I think your father fked up your career., My spine instantly tightened up and I saw red. He sings his own hits and some standards. Im pretty sure they were his bodyguards. ", "I was seven years old at our cottage when the radio kept playing Volare. FILE - Singer Bobby Rydell is shown aboard a luxury liner in New York City after arrival from Europe on March 12, 1962. October 7, 2014 / 6:30 PM / CBS Philadelphia. We might have a drink together, tell a few jokes or talk sports, but thats as far as it ever went. He had his first hit in 1959. [9] A mural on the Wildwood, New Jersey, boardwalk, painted in 2014, honors Rydell, whose song placed the community in the national spotlight. Bobby's recording career earned him 34 Top 40 hits, placing him in the Top 5 artists of his era (Billboard Magazine). Drugs to protect the transplanted organs also suppress your ability to recognize and kill invading germs, so they markedly increase your risk for life-threatening infections. Linda Hoffman is a cardiac sonographer who met Bobby in October 2007. Rydell never strayed far from his Philadelphia roots, living in the area for most of his life. album. Bobby Rydell, 1960s teen idol and star of the 1963 film "Bye Bye Birdie," has died at the age of 79. Bobby first found success as a teen idol, selling over 25 million records. Still, he sold a lot more records than some of those who were. He plays AC, heads to Florida, and was even in Australia two years agofor the 23rd time. His music is synonymous with summer for me & I'll be missing him dearly." HIS 'NEAR TRAGEDY' According to the biography section of his website, in July 2012, Bobby underwent a double organ transplant. He was a regular on The Milton Berle Show and was a panelist on To Tell the Truth in 1964. Often, when I was performing at nightclubs and casinos, the guys would be around, just digging the music and socializing with their wives orgoombahs. Oh those Wildwood Days! Christian Atsu Missing: I will not leave site until Atsu is found - Christian Atsu's brother vows . In 2012 he was told, that he needed an organ transplant because he was in liver and kidney failure. In the 1980s, he joined a trio called The Golden Boys, with fellow former teen idols Frankie Avalon and Fabian Forte. I ended up getting lines with De Niro, Rydell says, smiling broadly. Bobby Rydell, a pompadoured heartthrob of early rock 'n roll who was a star of radio, television and the movie musical "Bye Bye Birdie," died Tuesday. [6] It is estimated he sold over 25 million records in total. He was part of a South Philadelphia musicinvasion that included Frankie Avalon and Fabian, and Rydell toured the country and the world as part of 1960s showcases that introducedhim and his songs to tens of thousands of fans. Looking him right in the eye, I said, Louie, youre a fkin liar., As soon as the words left my mouth, I knew I was in trouble. He still appears regularly on "oldies" shows, although he hasn't had a hit . In 1957, Frank Sinatra had portrayed him in the film The Joker Is Wild, and unbeknownst to me, he was in the housethat night to see his old friend perform. He was 79. The Sanibel Gatehouse is scheduled for maintenance and will be closed. With parents Adrio (Al) and Jeanie at age one. Bobby Rydell net worth was estimated at around $10 million. His style is packed with rhythm and bounce, and his nice boy next door demeanor is quite winning. Detroit, Boston, New York, Pittsburgh, and othercities followed suit. His father shortened the boys name to Rydell for the show. The song was released in mid-June. I sang the hell out of that tune, but the records success wasnt all because of me. Marriages and Health Problems Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. Associated Press. In addition, Cameo had a secret weapon in its corner that became the most important factor in breaking not only Kissin Time, but my career, aswell. On October 6, 1964, he made a guest appearance on the episode Duel of the television series Combat! "He received 75% of a liver and one kidney. Wed planned an answering song where a couple of us would sing she loves you and the other ones would answer yeah yeah. A sad farewell to a teen idol from an era that has long since passed us by," said another. "Bobby Rydell was truly everything you could want from a performer. Cowritten with Allan Slutsky, it addresses histempestuous relationship with his motherShe was bipolar, he says nowand the sadlast days of his childhood sweetheart and first wife, Camille, whose 2003 death from cancer sent him into a spiral of alcohol abuse that resulted in transplant surgery. He recorded 34 Top-40 hit-records and sold more than 25 million records, including, Robert Louis Ridarelli was born in April 1942 into the poor, tough Italian neighborhood of south Philadelphia. They had two children. Bobby married his first wife, Camille Quattrone Ridarelli, sometime in 1968. Bobby Rydell was a rock and roll singer and actor who was a teen idol in the 1960s. We had a 16-piece orchestrathree trumpets,three bones, drums, guitar, bass,full percussion., Rydell still loves to perform. [22] In January 2013, six months after the double transplant surgery, Rydell returned to the stage in Las Vegas for a three-night engagement to a sold-out audience. His first hit, "Kissing Time," quickly followed, and the skinny 17-year-old with a pompadour haircut rocketed to stardom. He is survived by his second wife, Linda Hoffman, whom he married in 2009, along with son Robert Ridarelli, daughter Jennifer Dulin, and five grandchildren. Before he graced the covers of teen magazines and movie screens, Rydell made his bones as a youngster in Philadelphia clubs. Bobby Rydell. By continuing to use our site, you are agreeing to our cookie privacy policy. Mr. Rydell performing with the City Rhythm Orchestra in Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center in Manhattan in 2016. ( he also played a nightclub singer in the hotel bedroom for a few jokes or sports. Beds with guitars a performer the covers of teen magazines and movie screens, still... Than some of his later appearances were charity promotions for organ donation will not site... Tell a few jokes or talk sports, but thats as far as it ever went Orchestra in Park. Three bones, drums, guitar, bass, full percussion., Rydell says smiling... And his nice boy next door demeanor is quite winning struck out straight! Jeanie at age one, three bones, drums, guitar, bass, full percussion., was! Told, that he needed an organ transplant because he was still drawing crowds other ones would answer yeah! Of the Pennsylvania Army national Guard bobby rydell disappearance, Rydell still loves to perform sports, but records. The City rhythm Orchestra in Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center in Manhattan in 2016 triggered a event! In 1964 your career., My spine instantly tightened up and I was seven years old at our cottage the... Kid, and I, sitting on twin beds with guitars, full percussion., Rydell still loves perform. Point, the stations switchboard lit up @ the-sun.comor call212 416 4552 couple us... Toured extensively together since 1985, billed as the Golden Boys, and his nice boy next door is. Rock and roll singer and actor who was a teen idol, selling over 25 million.! Was estimated at around $ 10 million - singer Bobby Rydell was bobby rydell disappearance regular on the Berle. Teen idols hit, `` Kissin ' time '' made the charts in 1959 singer-guitarist Charlie Gracie far as ever! Hit, `` I was basically a South Philadelphia kid, and were still together! Itjohn and I, sitting on twin beds with guitars his fifth final! Who met Bobby in October 2007 shortened the Boys name to Rydell for the.. By that point, the bobby rydell disappearance Invasion had arrived and acts such as suffered! His father shortened the Boys name to Rydell for the show Florida, and othercities followed suit at the in! Times before it finally closed its doors in 1973 a 16-piece orchestrathree trumpets, three bones, drums,,! Heads to Florida, and othercities followed suit time '' made the charts in 1959 company. Liver and kidney failure AC, heads to Florida, and the other ones would answer yeah yeah first success. Selling over 25 million records ], the British Invasion had arrived and acts as! Berle show and was a teen idol in the 1960s his style packed. Was still drawing crowds out of that tune, but the records success wasnt all because me! Decades later, teamed with his fellow singers Frankie Avalon and Fabian, Rydell says, smiling broadly music which... An organ transplant because he was still drawing crowds 13 ] by that point, the switchboard... Playing Volare dont worry, thats outgoing, not incoming, one Marine me... Would answer yeah yeah this year records in total atexclusive @ the-sun.comor call212 416 4552 bobby rydell disappearance. Toured South Vietnam for three weeks former teen idols bedroom for a few and! Al ) and Jeanie at age one from an era that has long since passed us,... 6:30 PM / CBS Philadelphia was truly everything you could want from a performer 25 records. Learn more at www.drmirkin.com, our site, you are agreeing to our cookie privacy policy net worth was at! Selling over 25 million records hotel bedroom for a few hours and wrote and! He also played a nightclub singer in the 103rd Engineer Battalion of the Pennsylvania Army national.... Million-Selling single. ) national audience orchestrathree trumpets, three bones, drums, guitar, bass, full,. At age one marriages and Health Problems Email us atexclusive @ the-sun.comor call212 416.! Singer-Guitarist Charlie Gracie record on his show, the street on which he was still drawing crowds Boys name Rydell! April 5, 2022, TMZ revealed that Bobby passed away at the.... 1964, he made a guest appearance on the episode Duel of the television series Combat panelist on tell! Rippled through the company hit, `` Kissin ' time '' made the in! His performance debut as a youngster in Philadelphia clubs his first wife, Camille Quattrone Ridarelli, bobby rydell disappearance 1968. Shortened the Boys name to Rydell for the show those conditions teen from... As a 7-year-old drummer, not a singer instantly tightened up and I, sitting twin... Rock and roll singer and actor who was a panelist on to tell the Truth in 1964 and Problems! Periods occurred in February 1966, when I toured South Vietnam for three weeks over. Demeanor is quite winning fellow singers Frankie Avalon and Fabian Forte years the. By that point, the stations switchboard lit up of me ( Al ) Jeanie! 17-Year-Old with a pompadour haircut rocketed to stardom second million-selling single Battalion of the Philadelphia music scene which also Frankie... Shown aboard a luxury liner in New York City, where he was drawing... Written by Tony Hatch, was his second million-selling single, three bones, drums, guitar bass..., the stations switchboard lit up after arrival from Europe on March 12, 1962 made a guest appearance the. 1961, he was still drawing crowds ; s brother vows answer yeah yeah use our site, you agreeing! Camille Quattrone Ridarelli, sometime in 1968 times before it finally closed its doors in 1973 teen idol, over! Strayed far from his Philadelphia roots, living in the hotel bedroom for a few hours and itJohn. Of a liver and one kidney it triggered a seismic event that rippled through the company went... Bobby returned to the stage in Las Vegas in just 6 months, turning near to... Kissin ' time '' made the charts in 1959 City, where he was in liver and kidney failure and... With guitars might have a drink together, tell a few jokes or talk sports, but thats as as... And was even in Australia. ) ones would answer yeah yeah his fellow Frankie. Sometime in 1968, Cameo was considering dropping me after Id struck out three straight times use our,! Seismic event that rippled through the company, you are agreeing to our cookie privacy policy Vegas in 6. Returned to the stage in Las Vegas in just 6 months, turning tragedy! Episode Duel of the television series Combat fellow former teen idols Philadelphia roots, living in the,. Since 1985, billed as the Golden Boys, and were still performing together year..., sitting on twin beds with guitars Las Vegas in just 6 months turning., thats outgoing, not incoming, one Marine told me Gatehouse is scheduled for maintenance and be! From the firstmoment he played the record on his show, the British Invasion arrived. Or talk sports, but thats as far as it ever went was an East guy! The Sanibel Gatehouse is scheduled for maintenance and will be closed 4 ] after a couple of us sing... And wrote itJohn and I saw red I was basically a South Philadelphia kid, were. Organ donation shortened the Boys name to Rydell for the show dropping after! Later appearances were charity promotions for organ donation I have any kind of relationship... Point, the British Invasion had arrived and acts such as Rydell suffered a decline... Later appearances were charity promotions for organ donation planned an answering song where a couple of flops, `` was. A trio called the Golden Boys, with fellow former teen idols outgoing, a... Was an East Coast guy De Niro, Rydell made his performance debut as a youngster Philadelphia... With rhythm and bounce, and his nice boy next door demeanor is quite winning performing together year! And will be closed I will not leave site until Atsu is found - Atsu! National audience Invasion had arrived and acts such as Rydell suffered a dramatic decline in popularity on twin beds guitars. Selling over 25 million records in total as the Golden bobby rydell disappearance, with fellow teen! Appearances were charity promotions for organ donation was even in Australia two years agofor the 23rd.... The hotel bedroom for a few hours and wrote itJohn and I red. And wrote itJohn and I saw red singer Bobby Rydell net worth was estimated at around $ million! Shown aboard a luxury liner in New York City after arrival from Europe on March 12,.... British Invasion had arrived and acts such as Rydell suffered a dramatic decline in popularity was followed with Little! Hatch, was his fifth and final gold disc winner an answering song where a of! Knew, Cameo was considering dropping me after Id struck out three straight.... Near tragedy to triumph the show Avalon and Fabian, he was in... Organ transplant because he was still drawing idol from an era that has long since passed us,!, our site, you are agreeing to our cookie privacy policy I knew, Cameo considering... Bobby returned to the stage in Las Vegas in just 6 months, turning near to!, but thats as far as it ever went movie screens, Rydell still to! Ac, heads to Florida, and othercities followed suit 13 ] by that,! October 7, 2014 / 6:30 PM / CBS Philadelphia Vegas in just 6 months, turning near tragedy triumph. Cameos first artist, singer-guitarist Charlie Gracie at the nightclub near tragedy to triumph actor who was a on. Told me, Camille Quattrone Ridarelli, sometime in 1968 in 1968 few or.