After releasing three unsuccessful singles for small companies, he signed a recording contract with Cameo Records. We were having a great time talking about the usual stufffood, music, womenand he also asked me a few questions about my career. [4], Rydell cancelled a 2012 Australia tour because his health had deteriorated significantly and he was in need of urgent major surgery. But five months later, he underwent cardiac bypass surgery. His first three songs on the Cameo label were flops, but he scored in 1959 with Kissin Time, which Dick Clark, whose show had succeeded Paul Whitemans, immediately liked. On April 5, 2022, TMZ revealed that Bobby passed away at the age of 79. Published by The Hunterdon County Democrat on Apr. Six decades later, teamed with his fellow singers Frankie Avalon and Fabian, he was still drawing crowds. The stories ofFrank Sinatras alleged connections to guys like Sam Giancana and Vito Genovese dogged him throughout his career. He plays AC, heads to Florida, and was even in Australia two years agofor the 23rd time. [4], Rydell played in several bands in the Philadelphia area, including Rocco and the Saints, in which he sang and played drums. 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. 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. In 1968 at age 26, he married Camille Quattrone, who died of cancer 35 years later. Both of his parents were of Italian descent. Still, realizing that being Mrs. Bobby Rydell would thrust Camilleinto the public eye, he sent her to a finishing school for six months. He still appears regularly on "oldies" shows, although he hasn't had a hit . "Bobby Rydell was truly everything you could want from a performer. Ron DeSantis took the stage Tuesday night in The Villages and proudly announced that he has the No. "That hasn't changed. Bobby Rydell's salary per month with other career earnings was over $1 million annually. Rydells new autobiography, Teen Idol on the Rocks: A Tale of Second Chances(Dr. Licks Publishing, 249 pages), recounts his life with unstinting honesty. How could I have any kind of serious relationship with Camille under those conditions? He won the contest, and the shows presenter, Paul Whiteman, recruited him into the cast, where he remained for several years. 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. 1 record titled Butterfly with Cameos first artist, singer-guitarist Charlie Gracie. Rydell was born in April 1942 and was the son of Jennie Ridarelli (nee Sapienza) and Adrio "Al" Ridarelli. 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. He was dedicated to public awareness; spreading the word to the world in his travels about the Gift of Life through organ donation. Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. Im pretty sure they were his bodyguards. 5, 2022. Since news broke of Rydell's death, countless celebrities have voiced their admiration of him. 1 record titled Butterfly with Cameos first artist, singer-guitarist Charlie Gracie. 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. The same type of thing happened to me at lotsof other venues around the country. It didnt take them long to come up with the song thatwould kick-start my career. I was impressed at first sight. Rydell, a pompadoured heartthrob of early rock 'n roll who was a star of . One Twitter user stated: "A giant here in Philadelphia and the rest of the world. By this point, the British Invasion had arrived and acts such as Rydell suffered a dramatic decline in popularity. The album of the same name, his first, sold a million copies and obtained gold disc status. Being on stage remains Rydellstrue love, but he was particularly excited recently to have a small role in a newRobert De Niro film, TheComedian. In 1963, he starred with Ann Margaret in the musical film, Bye Bye Birdie. His style is packed with rhythm and bounce, and his nice boy next door demeanor is quite winning. Singer Bobby Rydell is shown aboard a luxury liner in New York City after arrival from Europe on March 12, 1962. Bobby married his first wife, Camille Quattrone Ridarelli, sometime in 1968. Dick Van Dyke and Janet Leigh were the films stars, but the parts of Hugo and Kim were considerably beefed up in the transition from stage to screen. This sent him into a major depression that he treated by drinking excess amounts of alcohol. Bobby Rydells cause of death was pneumonia. We finally got married on October 5, 1968, at Stella Maris Church in South Philly. They have two kids together, a son named Robert and a daughter named Jennifer. Jesus, who could ask for a better start to a relationship than that? ", "I was sad to read Bobby Rydell passed away. Id been transformed from Bobby Rydell,pompadoured teen idol making thousands of dollars a week, to Pvt. After a brief period as the drummer for a local group, Rocco and the Saints, which included Frankie Avalon on trumpet, Mr. Rydell went solo as a singer. In 1957, when he was 15, his father lost a part of his middle finger in a work accident and received $3,000 as a settlement for the accident. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. He had a nose like a bloodhound when it came to sniffing outa hit, and luckily for me, he caught a strong scent of Kissin Time and gave it his blessing. In New York, I had dinner with Louie and two of his associates in Little Italy. Even the adults realize this, and it works to his advantage., By his 21st birthday, Mr. Rydell had made three trips to perform in Europe and three others to Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Japan. Bobby Rydell (born Robert Louis Ridarelli; April 26, 1942 - April 5, 2022) was an American singer and actor, who mainly performed rock and roll music. In 2000, in the book The Beatles Anthology (p. 96), Paul McCartney said: John [Lennon] and I wrote "She Loves You" together. Detroit, Boston, New York, Pittsburgh, and othercities followed suit. His main source of income is from his career as an actor and singer. He married Linda Hoffman in 2009. Christian Atsu Missing: I will not leave site until Atsu is found - Christian Atsu's brother vows . Also during this time, Rydell served in the Pennsylvania Army National Guards 103rd Engineer Battalion. No specific song title is given in The Beatles Anthology, but Bob Spitz writes in The Beatles: The Biography that McCartney originally modeled "She Loves You" on the Rydell "answering song" called "Swingin' School", and not "Forget Him", as is commonly cited. I sang the hell out of that tune, but the records success wasnt all because of me., Louie looked me right inthe eyes, firmly shook my hand and said, I dont know what it is about you kid, but I love you.. Rydell left Cameo-Parkway Records later in 1964 and signed with Capitol Records. Are we working well together? He says, Oh, yeah.. The tweets and tributes in honor of Bobby's memory continued to accumulate. Knowing the inner workings of the companys production line was probably a good thing, but it wasnt going to get me a hit. Bobby Rydell, a 1950s teen idol who starred in the hit musical film "Bye Bye Birdie," has died. In 2000, in the book The Beatles Anthology (p. 96), Paul McCartney said: John Lennon and I wrote She Loves You together. [13] By that point, the British Invasion had arrived and acts such as Rydell suffered a dramatic decline in popularity. By continuing to use our site, you are agreeing to our cookie privacy policy. We invite you to share condolences for Bobby Rydell in our Guest Book. Sumter County commissioners Tuesday night approved a design contract for a sheriff's shooting range and training facility. and Cameo soon developed. This wasn't the star's first brush with a serious illness, though in fact, quite the contrary. Mr. Rydell was born Robert Louis Ridarelli on April 26, 1942, to Adrio and Jennie (Sapienza) Ridarelli. Pogo is currently the longest resident at Sumter County Animal Services and needs a home. Rydells success and prospects led his father, Adrio, a foreman at the Electro-Nite Carbon Company in Philadelphia, to resign in 1961 after 22 years to become his sons road manager. How much was Bobby Rydell worth? A cause of death was not stated when his passing was announced. Bobby Rydell, one of the first music idols to spur teen fandom in the Fifties and Sixties, has died at age 79. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. Rydell died of complications from. Goodbye, Bobby Rydell. I think people see that attitude coming from the stage. They dubbed themselves "The Golden Boys of Bandstand," and the shows were so successful that the trio ended up touring for three years and performing 300 shows nationwide. Mr. Rydell was a pop phenomenon but hardly a cutting-edge rock star. He started playing the drums at a very young age and at age nine, he won a TV talent contest and had his first paid performance which led to several years on the localTV Teen Club. It is estimated he sold over 25 million records in total. I sang the hell out of that tune, but the records success wasnt all because of me. Mr. Rydell performing with the City Rhythm Orchestra in Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center in Manhattan in 2016. Just as we started to talk, who should come walking outof the kitchen door but Sinatra and a group of his friends. His death was caused by complications from pneumonia, a rep for the artist confirmed . Long after their days on the pop chart were past them, they enjoyed great success on the oldies circuit. ; it was Rydells first dramatic acting role. He sings his own hits and some standards. Unlike many of the other Teen Idols, Bobby Rydell was a genuine musician. Rydell had a long history of alcohol abuse that destroyed his liver and kidneys. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. Bobby Rydell net worth was estimated at around $10 million. The song was released in mid-June. He grew up in the Lower Moyamensing neighborhood of South Philadelphia. In 1957, Frank Sinatra had portrayed him in the film. Bobby Rydell, 1960s teen idol and star of the 1963 film "Bye Bye Birdie," has died at the age of 79. Rydell performed on many television programs, including The Red Skelton Show, where a recurring role was written for him by Red Skelton as Zeke Kadiddlehopper, Clem Kadiddlehoppers younger cousin. American singer and teen idol (19422022). He recorded 34 Top-40 hit-records and sold more than 25 million records, includingVolare, Wild One, We Got Love, Kissin Time, Swingin School, Wildwood Days, andForget Him. (AP Photo, File) By The Associated Press. On October 6, 1964, he made a guest appearance on the episode "Duel" of the television series Combat!. I barged in wearing my fatigues andcombatboots. 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 He married his second wife Linda Hoffman, they had their marriage ceremony in 2009. He continued releasing hit songs with Swingin School backed by Ding-A-Ling and Volare later in 1960, which also sold over a million copies. His second success was We Got Love. Bobby Rydell performing in Wildwood at age 10, A lot of Italian singers from my eraand probably a decade or two beforewere rumored to have mob affiliations or mob backing. Their friendly demeanor of 10 seconds earlier turned menacing and they said, Are you fkin crazy? A mutually beneficial relationship between. Bobby Rydell net worth was estimated at around $10 million. Rydell's childhood sweetheart and first wife, Camille, died in 2003. 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 grew up in the same Italian neighborhood of South Philadelphia as Frankie Avalon and Fabian. Learn more at, Governor touts No. Then Louie delivered an unexpected and unwanted critique: You should be much bigger than you are. that he needed an organ transplant because he was in liver and kidney failure. Meanwhile, Rydell keeps working. (His real name was FrancescoCocchi.) Oh those Wildwood Days! We have a great time doing it.". With my tail between my legs, I went to theupstairs lounge to say goodbye to JulesPodell. Bobby Rydell, a 1950s teen idol who starred in the hit musical film "Bye Bye Birdie," has died. Robert L. Ridarelli, a low- ranking soldier with a crew cut making $85a month. I didnt know what to think. I ended up getting lines with De Niro, Rydell says, smiling broadly. 1 book in the nation. I asked around and was told Louie owned a restaurant called Separate Tables and supposedly was connected with the Gambino family. Not only was he a successful singer, but the former teen idol also starred in big-screen productions as well. Per Billboard, the singer had no less than 29 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 over his career. 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. By Pat Ciarrocchi. Accompanied by Philly DJ Georgie Woods (the guy with the goods), a few dancing girls, and a trio that featured Carl Mottola on drums, Frankie Day on bass, and jazz keyboardist JimmyWisner playing accordion, we flew out on a military transport on January 30th and arrived 9,000 miles later at Tan Son Nhut air base. He would have one more hit after 1965, a disco re-recording of Sway which reached Billboards Easy Listening chart in 1976. It was here that his name was Anglicised to Bobby Rydell. But if any of us Italiancrooners wanted to distance ourselvesfrom the image of a mob-backed Italian singer, it became almost impossible after my fellow SouthPhiladelphian, Al Martino, played Johnny Fontane in The Godfather. ", Another fan recalled: "Thinking about my younger days, watching American Band Stand and crushing on Bobby Rydell. 11 record in the country. In return, Dick would expose Cameos recordings to his national audience. Bobby Rydell, a famed US teenage idol of the 1950s and 60s, has died in his birthplace, Pennsylvania, at 79. There was a Bobby Rydell song out at the time and, as often happens, you think of one song when you write another. He didnt know them, but they knew him. Ann-Margret, right, and Bobby Rydell dance during a scene from "Bye Bye Birdie" on the movie set in Los Angeles on Sept. 14, 1962. By 2014, his schedule was heavy again, including 11 concerts in Australia that February. Reviewing his performance there, in 1961, Variety complimented him on his sense of career., Right now, hes a teenagers teenager, the magazine said. I had met Bernie back in 1952, when he was the keyboardist for Paul Whitemans TV Teen Club. Bobby's filmography includes That Lady From Peking, Bye Bye Birdie, and Mr. Rock 'n' Roll: The Alan Freed Story. Within three weeks, it was the No. The track had a lot going for it: an irresistible hook in its ba-daboom kick drum figure, the roster of city names in the lyric that personalized the song to a lot of fans in a lot of different markets, and thenthere was that flamethrower of a solo from future, 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. Louie pounded his fist on the table and walked away, leaving me with his twoassociates. RIP Bobby Rydell. His recording career earned him 34 Top 100 hits, placing him in the Top 5 artists of his era (Billboard). I couldnt get enough of it and have been a huge Bobby Rydell fan ever since. Learn more at www.drmirkin.com, Our site uses cookies. (Some sources say the song was Forget Him, which is somewhat similar lyrically to She Loves You.). Per an announcement made on his official Facebook page, Rydell's death has been attributed to pneumonia. He was a regular on The Milton Berle Show and was a panelist on To Tell the Truth in 1964. 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 on, Dr. Gabe Mirkin is a Villager. Marriages and Health Problems Throughout the early 60s, I appeared on almost all of them. Those included shows hosted by Ed Sullivan, Johnny Carson, Perry Como, Jack Benny, Milton Berle and Red Skelton. Mr. Rydell, Mr. Avalon and Fabian would perform their own songs and then sing together; there would also be tributes to Frank Sinatra and to Mr. Rydells favorite singer, Bobby Darin. Rydell died of complications from pneumonia . ", A second fan tweeted: "We have lost so many legends. The Sanibel Gatehouse is scheduled for maintenance and will be closed. 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