- Rydell never stopped singing
One-time teen idol is as busy as ever
By George F. Lee
Honolulu Star-Bulletin - Thursday, February 12, 1998
- A woman poses a question on the Internet: "Is Bobby Rydell still alive? And
where is he buried?"
Shocking news to the teen idol of '50s and '60s who performs at the Blaisdell Arena Saturday night. Rydell, of pompadour fame, never stopped performing.
"Wait a sec, I'll pinch myself to see if I'm dead," Rydell says, laughing in a
telephone interview. "Ouch! Guess the ticker is still ticking."
Born Robert Ridarelli, in Philadelphia, Rydell probably was the most musically
talented of the clean-cut teen idols, ending up with some 30 hits -- "Wild One," "Volare," "The Cha Cha Cha" and "Kissin' Time" among them.
‘Like anything else in life you go through peaks and valleys. Thank God I was blessed with some talent and talent is a constant.’
"I always wanted to be an entertainer," said the 55-year-old grandfather. "I love comedy and even as a young kid I'd watch television, then imitate everyone I saw."
Rydell first performed as a drummer at age 7; at 9 he debuted on Paul Whiteman's "Teen Club" amateur television show. He was the show's drummer for three year.
Then there was the South Philadelphia regional influence.
"Fabian (Forte) lived a half block from me and Frankie (Avalon) was a block and a
half away," Rydell said of the threesome he now tours with as "The Golden Boys
of Bandstand."
True, performers from the south and southwest played the main role in the rise of rock
during the 1950s, but "South Philly" produced more than a few early stars. Their
numbers also included Mario Lanza, Joey Bishop and Lola Falona.
Rydell still lives just a few miles outside South Philadelphia with his wife of 29
years. He performs with Fabian and Avalon about a dozen times a year and at least that
much solo.
"I love it, I love the audiences," Rydell said.
Rydell first performed in Hawaii in 1960 at the old Civic Auditorium with Chubby Checker
and Dodie Stevens. Ticket prices were $1.45; the program 25 cents. He returned four years
later to open the HIC -- now the Blaisdell Arena -- headlining 10 acts, including Teddy
Randazzo.
Rydell calls Hawaii "Heaven on Earth" and always stays at the former Kahala
Hilton, "one of my favorite places in the world." When he married his long-time
sweetheart, Camille, the couple honeymooned for a week at a private Diamond Head beach
house arranged by promoter Tom Moffatt. The fare was $100 a day including a 24-hour maid.
"It was magnificent, with a private beach, private pool and seven bedrooms. We slept
in everyone of them," Rydell said. "I would bet my wife got pregnant in there in
the house, or the beach or the pool. And I owe it all to Uncle Tom."
Rydell's ambition in the '60s was to be an all-round entertainer, so he branched into
films, co-starring in the Dick Van Dyke and Ann-Margaret film "Bye Bye Birdie."
- Then he moved successfully into the cabaret circuit.
"There's not one thing in my career I haven't done except a Broadway show, which would be the ultimate," Rydell said.
The arrival of the British groups in 1964 ended his days on the charts.
"Like anything else in life you go through peaks and valleys. Thank God I was
blessed with some talent and talent is a constant. I kept working, maybe for awhile it wasn't the greatest work in the world, but it paid the bills."
Just how important was Rydell to the beginning of rock? The high school in the hit '70s musical "Grease" is named after him, Rydell High School.
But he's also known for being a nice guy. He repeatedly talks about the importance of his family and his first manager, Frankie Day, who is in Hawaii for Saturday's concert.
"My family has always been the base for my values," he said. "I was brought up with warmth and to respect and love people.
"Sure, the audience comes to hear me sing hit records, but they also hear a lot about my family. That hits home with everyone. It puts us on the same level and it's what Bobby Rydell is about."
Valentines Day Hop
Featuring: Bobby Rydell, The Coasters, Ronnie Diamond, Teddy
Randazzo, Tommy Sands, The Skyliners
Time: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Place: Blaisdell Arena
Tickets: $25, $35
Call: 593-8333
