Rydell died of complications from pneumonia at Jefferson Hospital, according to a statement released by marketing and event coordinator Maria Novey. Riddle, who was credited with a kidney and liver transplant in 2012 to extend his life, was 79 years old. Along with James Darren, Fabian and Frankie Avalon, Rydel was among a wave of healthy teens who appeared after Elvis Presley and before the rise of the Beatles. Between 1959 and 1964, he had nearly three dozen singles in the Top 40, including “Wild One”, “Volare”, “Wildwood Days”, “The Cha-Cha-Cha” and “Forget Him”, a consolation song for a loser. girl. which helped inspire the Beatles’ classic “She Loves You”. He had repeated roles on “The Red Skelton Show” and other television programs, and 1963’s “Bye Bye Birdie” was rewritten to give Ridel a major role as Anne Margaret’s friend. However, he did not want to move to Hollywood and “Birdie” became his only major role in the film – although high school in the successful ’70s musical “Grease” was named after him. Rydel never moved away from his Philadelphia roots, living in the area for most of his life. The 11th Street block where he grew up was christened Bobby Rydell Boulevard in his hometown in 1995. He was born Robert Ridarelli in a South Philadelphia neighborhood that would also produce the idols of teenagers Darren, Fabian and Avalon. They were known as children – Rydell played drums with Avalon on the trumpet in a band called Rocco and the Saints. Before gracing the covers of teen magazines and movie theaters, Rydell made his bones as a teenager in a Philadelphia club. He made his debut as a 7-year-old drummer, not as a singer. His first drum kit was a gift from his father, Al Ridarelli, who inspired his son’s choice of instrument by going to see Gene Krupa playing. At the age of 9, she made her debut on an amateur TV show and became its regular drummer for three years. Rydell took his long break in 1959 on “American Bandstand,” which was originally broadcast from Philadelphia. His first hit, “Kissing Time”, quickly followed, and the skinny 17-year-old with a pompous haircut reached the star. Rydel and his fellow Philadelphia performers were ideal for “Bandstand” host Dick Clark, who tried to make rock and roll fun for young and old alike. He also made live appearances nationwide on a tour organized by Clark. The change in musical preferences introduced by the Beatles and the rest of the British invasion relaxed the successful career of Rydell and his compatriots, and he continued to perform and record music with limited success in the late 1960s and 1970s. teamed up with his old friends Avalon and Fabian for some believable shows. They called themselves “The Golden Boys of Bandstand” and the shows were so successful that the trio went on tour for three years and performed 300 shows throughout the country. The 1963 megahit “Wildwood Days” is the anthem for the popular city of South Jersey. Wildwood continues to play Rydell’s song to this day to welcome visitors to the seaside destination. “I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Bobby Rydell many times. A perfect entertainer and most importantly, a true gentleman. Despite his success, he never forgot his roots. He really loved Wildwood. May it be a holiday every day and every night “Saturday night. Rest in peace, Wildwood’s beloved son,” said Wildwood Mayor Pete Byron on Tuesday night. Those who knew Rydell personally say he never forgot where he came from and always gave back to his community. “He has always been very generous with his time and has volunteered for various charities,” said Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney. Ann Pennania, of Ten Pennies Florist, was a Rydells family friend. He even designed flowers for his daughter’s wedding. “You will never forget his music, his love or his friendship. I’m sad that we lost someone like him,” he said. “Jerry Blavat, also known as The Geator with the Heater,” played many of Rydell’s hits over the years. “That was the sound before Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. That was rock ‘n’ roll at the height of rock ‘n’ roll. Bobby was an experienced singer,” Blavat said. For more than 30 years, Rydell has appeared in hundreds of shows across the country. She was scheduled to sing in June at the Golden Nugget in Atlantic City. Rydell’s childhood sweetheart and first wife, Camille, died in 2003. He is survived by his second wife, Linda Hoffman, whom he married in 2009, along with son Robert Ridarelli, daughter Jennifer Dulin and five grandchildren. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright © 2022 WPVI-TV. All rights reserved.
