BOBBY RYDELL
BOBBY RYDELL
©Copyright Linda Hoffman 2016
Bobby Rydell’s career spans six decades
and encompasses every area of the entertainment world.
His debut in the late 50’s as a rock & roll teen idol lead to
starring roles in such hit films as “Bye Bye Birdie” and plays such as
“West Side Story.” Bobby
has made countless network TV appearances throughout the world on shows like
Ed Sullivan, Jack Benny, George
Burns, Milton Berle, Perry Como and of course American Bandstand.
He was also a semi regular on the Red Skelton Hour for many years.
Working with the “greats” of comedy Bobby was able to develop an uncanny
gift for comedy.
Bobby has earned a reputation as a classic
performer. Not only is he a superb
singer whose voice has gotten better over the years – he has proved to be an
outstanding drummer, an agile dancer and an extremely fine actor, with an
unsurpassed knack for comedy.
A polished performer at the age of 19, he
was the youngest person ever to headline the famous Copacabana in New York.
Bobby’s recording career earned him 34 Top 40 hits, placing him
in the Top 5 artists of his era (Billboard Magazine).
Bobby’s hits include million selling singles Volare, Wild One, We Got
Love, Kissin’ Time, Swingin’ School and Forget Him, selling a combined
total of over 25 million records.
Today Bobby enjoys a career that is full. He
has a busy schedule throughout the world as a headline solo act. Australia has
welcomed him for 20 tours down under, where he continues to be a favorite
performer. Bobby also performs
regularly in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
For the past 25 years Bobby has also performed in over 700 shows
in the must-see production called “The Golden Boys.”
This is a happy, fun filled look back at a simpler time in music
history with his childhood pals, Frankie Avalon and Fabian.
Bobby Rydell’s influence on popular music
has been profound. When the producers of “Grease” wanted to pay tribute to
the era in which the popular musical was set, they named the high school where
most of the action took place “Rydell High” in his honor. Recently,
Bobby appeared with Ann-Margret at The Academy of Motion Picture Arts &
Sciences premiere of “Bye Bye Birdie’s” digital restoration at the
Samuel Goldwyn Theatre in Beverly Hills.
In 1995 his hometown of Philadelphia, PA
named the street he was born “Bobby Rydell Boulevard.”
The City of Philadelphia sponsored “block party” followed
dedication ceremonies. Quite a tribute to a City’s favorite native son!
Wildwood, NJ also has a street named for Bobby in appreciation for
Bobby’s massive hit, “Wildwood Days.”
On 7/9/2012 Bobby underwent a double organ
transplant. He received 75% of a
liver and one kidney. His life was
about to end when the generous family of a dying child saved 8 lives by organ
donation. Bobby returned to the
stage in Las Vegas in just 6 months, turning near tragedy to triumph.
Today he is dedicated to public awareness; spreading the word to the
world in his travels about the Gift of Life thru organ donation
The teen idol, now a seasoned performer,
continues to perform to sell out audiences throughout the world.
As a review of a recent performance put it, “Bobby
Rydell is a true American music treasure.”
In April, 2016 Bobby released his
autobiography – TEEN IDOL ON THE ROCKS “A Tale of Second Chances.”
The candid, funny and heartbreaking story has captured music
lovers and his legion of fans throughout the world.
The book features a historic pictorial of the era and his long career.
Book
available at his website, bookstores, Amazon.com (Worldwide)