Bobby Rydell - Wild One

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Bobby Rydell was born Robert Ridarelli in Philadelphia. It was his father who encouraged him to pursue a career in show business. At the age of four, Rydell would sit in front of the TV and impersonate such performers as Milton Berle, Louis Prima and Johnny Ray. He also admired drummer Gene Krupa and began playing the drums at the age of six. At the age of seven and with his father's encouragement, Rydell began performing in nightclubs in Philadelphia.

In 1950, Bobby Rydell entered the amateur show of Paul Whiteman; his first-place win gained him a regular part on the show. He stayed with the Whiteman show for three years and then went to join several local bands in Philadelphia. It was here too that Bobby Ridarelli became the easier-to-pronounce Bobby Rydell. At 16 he began playing with local groups, landing a spot as a drummer for Rocco and the Saints. (Frankie Avalon, another Philadelphia-born musician, played trumpet for the group.) While with the band, Rydell signed a recording contract with Cameo/Parkway Records in Philadelphia. His hit "Kissin' Time," recorded in the summer of 1959, launched his musical career and made him a teen idol at the age of 17.

After making his first hit recording, he pursued a solo career, performing at the Copacabana in New York in 1961, where he was an instant hit. Rydell made his acting debut in 1962 on the television show Combat! One year later, he starred as Hugh Peabody in the famous musical Bye Bye Birdie. It was only after his acting debut that he fervently began playing the nightclub circuit.

With records like We Got Love, Wildwood Days and Sway, Rydell made himself a hit. Along with Frankie Avalon and Fabian, Bobby Rydell is known as a Philadelphia-born teen idol, known not only for his musical genius but also his handsome looks.

~ Kim Summers, All Music Guide

Category:

Education

Tags:

• pop
• rock
• teen
• idol

[DaveWollenberg]

Born Robert Ridarelli. Bobby hit #2 in Billboard, 3-28-60. God bless ya, for postin' it. Thanx! Have a great week!

[John1948TwoB1a]

@DaveWollenberg You're welcome. Bobby was probably the best of the teen idols.

[paulmccartney7ElvisP]

why do all these 50s/60s rock and roll singers all look simular?

[John1948TwoB1a]

@paulmccartney7ElvisP Beacuse you don't know them. They all dress simnilarly because that was the style. Their haircuts are pretty similar because that was the style. The have similar mannerisms because that was the style. Those of us who were immersed in that culture and time have no trouble telling them apart.

[paulmccartney7ElvisP]

@John1948TwoB1a Yeaah, it was a teddy boy look wasnt it? yeaah i surpose hehe ;P + i can tell them all apart :)

[John1948TwoB1a]

@paulmccartney7ElvisP Well, we didn'y call it "teddy boy" in Nebraska. It was just the way we dressed. :D

[klekota57]

To all who were lucky enough to be born in the 1950's - We witnessed the

best time in music history as it was happening. The

1960's were the most creative and amazing years of music

history. IT will NEVER happen again.

[suziQ27]

oh geez...

Bobby Rydell, haven't thought of that name in years...

his was the first record I ever bought.

I must have watched Bye, Bye Birdie 257 times.

this is really great ~

[airkooled05]

This guy can still sing . I play heck getting them to play this on Denver stations I think the back up singers made his good songs great .

[lucycatism]

I recognize so many of the dancers when Bandstand went national in 1957. Bob and Justine, Kenny and Arlene, Pat Molitierri who died young from a heart attack. What fun we had learning the Stroll, the Circle Dance, the Bop. There wasn't an obese problem in those days. We danced and danced and were young at heart!

[Adoraa1]

I was so lucky enough that I was born in the 50's. Yes, it will never happened again. Thanks for the wonderful era!

[chassy24]

gotta agree with this statement--these teen idols could actually sing, unlike these days!

[luckyshoeshine]

@paulmccartney7ElvisP Cuz they didn't mind lookin normal

[billchew450]

Wildwood, N.J., where Bobby's family had a house in the 50s and 60s, was at one

time the party capital of the Jersey Shore. Now, it's a slum.

[MrGotsquashed]

@paulmccartney7ElvisP I guess it was easy to identify them- they weren't squares. One of these days, I'll master that style and people will look at me and laugh. They will think- what did you come out of 1957 or something? I would say to them- yes, and thank you!