His first drum kit was a gift from his father, Al Ridarelli, who inspired his son's choice of instrument by taking him to see Gene Krupa perform. Six months after his transplants, he sang on stage in Las Vegas for a three night engagement to a sold out audience, and then continued onThe Golden Boys international tour circuit. DJ Jerry Blavat spoke of his friend's talents to The Philadelphia Inquirer, claiming, "He could have been as big as Bobby Darin, but he didn't want to leave Philadelphia." Bobby Rydell, 1960s teen idol and star of the 1963 film "Bye Bye Birdie," has died at the age of 79. In 1963, he starred with Ann Margaret in the musical film, Bye Bye Birdie. In 2009, he married Linda Hoffman but continued to drink. At age 9, he debuted on an amateur television show and became its regular drummer for three years. I told Jules about what had happened downstairsbefore the show and would you believe it? [2], In 1963, Rydell starred in an unsold television pilot called Swingin' Together produced by Desilu Productions, which featured him as the frontman for a four-piece rock 'n roll band seeking their big break. He and Kal had gotten off to aflying start penning Teddy Bear for ElvisPresley, and then landing a No. His 1963 song Wildwood Days paid homage to Wildwood, the New Jersey beach town where his grandmother had a boardinghouse and where he spent his early summers; like Philadelphia, Wildwood later held an honorary street-naming for Mr. Rydell. The same type of thing happened to me at lotsof other venues around the country. October 7, 2014 / 6:30 PM / CBS Philadelphia. [2] In May 1960, Rydell toured Australia with The Everly Brothers, Billy "Crash" Craddock, Marv Johnson, The Champs, The Crickets, and Lonnie Lee. 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. He lost part ofhis middle finger in a work-related accident while operating some machinery. (His real name was FrancescoCocchi.) He gave up alcohol and received a liver and a single kidney transplant, and became a major spokesman for organ donation. A Circle K clerk has been accused of stealing Florida Lottery tickets and splitting the winnings with a friend. There was something about the lifestyle in California that I really wasnt used to. A mural on the Wildwood, New Jersey, boardwalk (painted in 2014) honors Rydell, whose song placed the community in the national spotlight. He was one of the richest and most influential singers in the United States. Oh those Wildwood Days! Ill never forget the first time I heardKissin Time on the radio, Rydell says. Wildwood, New Jersey also has a street named for Bobby in appreciation for Bobbys massive hit, Wildwood Days.. Read Full Obituary. ", Another fan recalled: "Thinking about my younger days, watching American Band Stand and crushing on Bobby Rydell. 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. With my tail between my legs, I went to theupstairs lounge to say goodbye to JulesPodell. In 1963, Bobby starred with Ann- Margret in the iconic movie Bye Bye Birdie. They appeared a few years ago together recently at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences premiere of the digital restoration of the movie. In the 1980s, he joined a trio called The Golden Boys, with fellow former teen idols Frankie Avalon and Fabian Forte. Near death, he had a kidney and liver transplant in July 2012. The song was released in mid-June. In the Oscar-winning film Green Book (2018), Rydell is portrayed in the opening scenes by actor Von Lewis. By this point, the British Invasion had arrived and acts such as Rydell suffered a dramatic decline in popularity. Ten years after his liver and kidney transplants, on April 5, 2022, and at the age of 79, Bobby Rydell died from an infection in his lungs at Jefferson Abington Hospital. Bobby Rydell, a Philadelphia-born singer who became a teenage idol in the late 1950s and, with his pleasant voice, stage presence and nice-guy demeanor, maintained a loyal following on tours even after both he and his original fans were well past retirement age, died on Tuesday in Abington, Pa. He continued to perform internationally and returned to tour Australia in 2014. They had two children. 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. 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. One night, they were booked as the opening act at a very popular club in Somers Point, N.J., called Bayshores. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. At the time of his death, Bobby Rydell had two children Jennifer Ridarelli and Robert Ridarelli. Rydell first took the stage as a professional drummer at the age of 9. We just said to ourselves, 'Here are three Italian kids from South Philadelphia, born and raised within two blocks of each other. Six decades later, teamed with his fellow singers Frankie Avalon and Fabian, he was still drawing crowds. He didnt name the song, but Mr. Rydells 1960 hit Swingin School includes a Yeah, yeah, yeah refrain. So we sat in the hotel bedroom for a few hours and wrote itJohn and I, sitting on twin beds with guitars. Not only was he a successful singer, but the former teen idol also starred in big-screen productions as well. There was a Bobby Rydell song out at the time and, as often happens, you think of one song when you write another. Cameo got right down to business, cutting three songs with me in their primitive, monaural studio. ", "I was seven years old at our cottage when the radio kept playing Volare. Id been transformed from Bobby Rydell,pompadoured teen idol making thousands of dollars a week, to Pvt. I headlined the club three orfour more times before it finally closed its doors in 1973. My favorite was Wild One. His successful career earned him some luxurious lifestyles and some fancy car trips. He won the contest, and the show's presenter, Paul Whiteman, recruited him into the cast, where he remained for several years. We might have a drink together, tell a few jokes or talk sports, but thats as far as it ever went. After a short pause, he got allserious on me and said, Bobby, you know Sinatra loves you.. Bobby Rydell, a teen idol from the '60s known for songs like "Wild One" and his role as Hugo Peabody in the 1963 film "Bye Bye Birdie," has died, according to a statement released by his. His father shortened the boys name to Rydell for the show. Pogo is currently the longest resident at Sumter County Animal Services and needs a home. As the Facebook statement pointed out, at the time, "he became the youngest singer to perform" at the famed establishment. His main source of income is from his career as an actor and singer. Accept. Still, realizing that being Mrs. Bobby Rydell would thrust Camilleinto the public eye, he sent her to a finishing school for six months. A cause of death was not stated when his passing was announced. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Bobby Rydell amassed a catalog of pop music hits in his hey-day, Bobby starred alongside Ann Margaret, Dick Van Dyke, and Janet Leigh in Bye Bye Birdie, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Bobby Rydells cause of death was pneumonia. [19], Rydell was married to his first wife, Camille Quattrone Ridarelli, for 35 years, from 1968 until her death in 2003. On April 5, 2022, TMZ revealed that Bobby passed away at the age of 79. Bobby Rydell - I'll never dance again - From the cd "Now and then" I barged in wearing my fatigues andcombatboots. It reached No. Here are seven of his albums on four CD discs. [4], In 1961, he performed at the Copacabana in New York City, where he was the youngest performer to headline at the nightclub. In the early 1960s he was considered a teen idol. The street on which he was born in Philadelphia was renamed Bobby Rydell Boulevard, in his honour. His career continued to thrive, peaking in the 1960s, with recordings, concerts and many appearances in television series for decades. Hes an entertainer in the old-fashioned mold. Mr. Rydell did not just have staying power; he also made a comeback after years of alcohol abuse, which he chronicled in his autobiography, Bobby Rydell: Teen Idol on the Rocks (2016), written with the guitarist and producer Allan Slutsky. Excess alcohol can destroy your liver and kidneys. In 1961, he performed at the Copacabana in New York City, where he was the youngest performer to headline at the nightclub. Born on April 26, 1942, Bobby Rydell rose to prominence as a teen idol in the music industry. Key points: Bobby Rydell's death was attributed to pneumonia complications Rydell sold more than 25 million albums and had 34 top-100 hits The famous rock musical Grease was set in the fictional Rydell High School Mr. Rydell married his high-school sweetheart, Camille Quattrone, in 1968. I couldnt get enough of it and have been a huge Bobby Rydell fan ever since. His career had encompassed six decades. Published by The Hunterdon County Democrat on Apr. The success of Forget Him in 1963 solved those problems. Robert Louis Ridarelli [1] (April 26, 1942 - April 5, 2022), known by the stage name Bobby Rydell / radl /, was an American singer and actor who mainly performed rock and roll and traditional pop music. A polished performer by the age of 19, he was the youngest person ever to headline the famous Copacabana in New York. With parents Adrio (Al) and Jeanie at age one. Bobby Rydell stood at an appealing height of 1.83m and has a good body weight which suits his personality. Learn more at www.drmirkin.com, Our site uses cookies. reclines on a couch in his sports-themed basement in Penn Valley, a lit Winston purring in his right hand. He was dedicated to public awareness; spreading the word to the world in his travels about the Gift of Life through organ donation. Singer Bobby Rydell is shown aboard a luxury liner in New York City after arrival from Europe on March 12, 1962. His recording career earned him 34 Top 100 hits, placing him in the Top 5 artists of his era (Billboard). Loved him in Bye Bye Birdie. He was 79. Bobby Rydell, a 1950s teen idol who starred in the hit musical film "Bye Bye Birdie," has died. I had met Bernie back in 1952, when he was the keyboardist for Paul Whitemans TV Teen Club. We were having a great time talking about the usual stufffood, music, womenand he also asked me a few questions about my career. "Bobby Rydell was truly everything you could want from a performer. 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