"Just One of the Stars"

When he Used to Be No. 1

Bobby Rydell Proves He's a Real Pro

There was a time when the name Bobby Rydell stood alone on the threatre marquee. In fact, there was a rule that his name must lead all the rest. But in a past appearance of the Animals at New York City's Paramount Theatre, his name was just another grin a list of supporting acts.

The same Big Wilson of NBC who doesn't play the Beatles introduced a Rydell record with the remarks that here is a "singer." The tone of his voice left little debut ass to what he meant.

A FAST START

Bobby Rydell was born Robert Louis Ridarelli, on April 26, 1942, in South Philadelphia. His father, Adrio, thought Bobby would become an entertainer after he watched his young son perfectly mimic a number of TV performers. Bobby auditioned for the Paul Whiteman TV Teen Club when he was nine. Whiteman liked what he heard and signed him to the show.

Someone once told Bobby Rydell that "success comes when preparedness meets opportunity." These words have played an important part in Bobby's life, and have become the foundations of his career.

PREPARED & TALENTED

But being prepared and having talent are only part of the story. Sadly enough in this competitive business talent is not always the criterion of success. A performer often has to ride with the adulation of crowds and some get out of the business when all they have are the memories of yesterday's applause. Others find it difficult to take second billing after three years of first place. But the real pros ride out the fickle nature of the audiences and much like the pure cream rise above the skim milk.

In the thirteen years since his show business debut, Bobby Rydell as fulfilled his dad's daydream...with interest!

Teenagers still sigh and scream when he performs, and avidly gobble up his records; veteran entertainers and disc promoters praise his singing talent, say he's a "natural" as showman and performer. Reed Skelton, Danny Thomas and George Burns think he's a "natural comic."

Bobby Rydell, the one-time "King of the Teens," Has musical training and experience. After his success with Whiteman, young Bobby started entertaining in local Philly nightclubs, always accompanied by his dad. His repertoire included imitations of various singers and actors -- Johnnie Ray, Sammy Davis, Jr., (his idol), Red Skelton, Louis Prima, Jerry Lewis and a host of others.

"I remember," Bobby smiles as he says, "how nervous I would be before a show, but as soon as I saw how nice the audience was, I'd forget to be afraid and have a wonderful time myself. Those nightclub audiences were always great. I guess they thought a ten-year-old kid imitating a grown man was cute." Says a Philadelphian who remembers Boobies act, "Cute, nothing! The kid got ovations because he was darned good!"

A few years later, Bobby joined a rock 'n roll group called Rocco and the Saints. One of his teammates and buddies: a young trumpet playing-singer named Frankie Avalon.

"We were on the same bill with a group called Dave ("Bunnyhop") Apple and the Applejacks," Bobby recalls. "While we were performing, I noticed that the Applejack' bass player, Frankie Day, was watching me closely. Later, he talked to me and my dad about my making a record. I think Dad was even more excited than I," he grins. "I remember saying 'sure' and I guess Dad and I had both decided at the same time that we wanted Frankie as my manager."

A RIGID TRAINING PROGRAM

While he recognized a basic raw talent in Bobby, Frankie wisely decided to make Bobby into a polished performer before he cut any discs. He set up a rigid, grinding schedule for his young protege: dancing lessons, vocal coaching, guitar and drum practice, adding bass lessons a few months later...all the little things whose perfection makes the difference between a real performer and an amateur. He also arranged for Bobby to sign a long-term recording contract with Cameo Records, but allowed no washings until he felt Bobby had mastered enough of his stage training.

Bobby's first disc, "Please Don't Be Mad," met with modest success. His second, a tow-sided single ballad, "All I want is You," backed with a catch calypso, "For You, For You," exploded him into the pop world. The song hits that followed made record industry history. He was established as a recording star!

But the lessons continued, even when success was his. Red Skelton invited Bobby back to his TV programs three times in one season -- so did Perry Como. Between his hectic TV schedule, and event-filled personal appearance trip around the world, and time-consuming rehearsals for his nightclub act, Bobby signed a non-exclusive seven-year movie contract with Columbia Pictures, and made his film debut opposite Kim Novak.

JUST WAIT!

So you look on the lists of the top 100 albums and have difficulty finding the name Rydell. One knows it belongs.

Yet this past fall, a leader in singles was a far-from teenager named Dean Martin with "Everybody Loves Somebody," ahead of the Beatles, the Animals, Dave Clark. Talent will out.