Bobby Rydell is an American entertainment legend! With a career starting as a 1950’s teen idol, to the present where he pays homage to both jazz and The Great American Song Book, Bobby Rydell draws crowds across every age group nationally and internationally. Rydell first took the stage as a professional drummer at the age of 9. A polished performer by the age of 19, he was the youngest person eve
r to headline the famous Copacabana in New York. Bobby’s recording career earned him 34 Top 40 hits, placing him in the Top 5 artists of his era (Billboard Magazine). Bobby’s hits include million selling singles Volare, Wild One, We Got Love, Kissin’ Time, Swingin’ School, Wildwood Days, and Forget Him, selling a combined total of over 25 million records. In 1963, Bobby starred with Ann-Margret in the iconic movie “Bye Bye Birdie.” They appeared a few years ago together recently at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences premiere of the digital restoration of the movie. Bobby Rydell’s influence on popular music has been profound. When the producers of “Grease” wanted to pay tribute to the era in which the popular musical was set, they named the high school where most of the action took place “Rydell High” in his honor. But to peg the totality of his career as a teen idol would be similar to reading the first sentence of a book and trying to guess the ending. Long dedicated to the great standards Bobby Rydell tours the nation, backed by full orchestras for large venues or a trio for intimate gigs, enthralling audiences with selections from The Great American Song Book by such composers as Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Richard Rogers and more. Rydell has earned the reputation as someone who has a passion for this music and brings it to life each night on stage. His 2010, re-released album, Bobby Rydell Salutes the Great Ones/Rydell at the Copa was released to overwhelming critical praise for his artistic treatment of these great standards. In 1995, his hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania named the street he was born “Bobby Rydell Boulevard.” The City of Philadelphia sponsored “block party” followed dedication ceremonies — Quite a tribute to a city’s favorite native son! Wildwood, New Jersey also has a street named for Bobby in appreciation for Bobby’s massive hit, “Wildwood Days.”
On July 9, 2012, Bobby underwent a double organ transplant. He received 75% of a liver and one kidney. His life was about to end when the generous family of a dying child saved 8 lives by organ donation. Bobby returned to the stage in Las Vegas in just 6 months, turning near tragedy to triumph. He is dedicated to public awareness; spreading the word to the world in his travels about the Gift of Life through organ donation. Today Bobby enjoys a career that is full. He has a busy schedule throughout the world as a headline solo act. Australia has welcomed him for 20 tours down under, where he continues to be a favorite performer. Bobby also performs regularly in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. For over 30 years, Bobby has also performed in over 700 shows in the must-see production called “The Golden Boys.” This is a happy, fun-filled look back at a simpler time in music history with his childhood pals, Frankie Avalon and Fabian. As a reviewer of a recent performance simply stated, “Bobby Rydell is a true American music treasure.”
