Bobby's (20th) Birthday!
From the past to the present. Bobby Rydell just celebrated his 20th birthday. On his birthday, he walked into the offices of Cameo Records to find a huge cake saying "Bye Bye Bobby" greeting him. The legend referred to the fact that Bobby was about to leave for Hollywood to co-star in Bye, Bye Birdie, a movie based on the smash Broadway musical which tells the story of the impact a rock 'n' roll singer has on a small town. The impact, by the way, is devastating, and the music is delightful.
Anyhow, back at the party, Bobby was feted gloriously -- gifts piled upon gifts (diamond ring, stereophonic hi-fi rig, set of golf clubs, etc.), celebrities piled upon celebs (Chubby Checker and friends) and good wishes piled upon good wishes ("Happy Birthday, Bobby, We Love You!").
"It was a great party," Lillian Hegedus, Bobby's energetic secretary and fan club organizer, told me, "but Bobby did look pretty funny in an undershirt."
An undershirt, it must be noted, is Bobby's favorite get-up off-stage. What's more, it was his birthday party!
