Date of Birth

26 April 1942, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Birth Name

Robert Ridarelli

Part of the Philadelphia music scene which also spawned Frankie Avalon and Fabian, Rydell was undoubtedly the most talented of the teen idols. After a number of song hits, including "Wild One" and "Volare", he starred in Bye Bye Birdie (1963) before hitting the nightclub circuit. He still appears regularly on "oldies" shows, although he hasn't had a hit since the early 1960s

"Rydell High School" in the movie musical, Grease (1978), is named in his honor.

Bandleader Paul Whiteman, with whose band he worked, renamed him Rydell because he couldn't pronounce Ridarelli.

Played drums by age six and, at 15, was a drummer for a Philly rock-and-roll combo group called "Rocco and His Saints" that also featured Frankie Avalon on trumpet.

Discovered as a youth by Paul Whiteman and his local "Teen Club" amateur TV show, staying as a regular with the program for three years.

Three major labels turned him down until he was signed up by Cameo-Parkway. He scored 19 'Top 30' hits from 1959 through 1964, including "Kissin' Time" (#11), "Volare" (#4), "Sway" (#4), "Swingin' School" (#5), "Wild One" (#2), and "Forget Him" (#4).

Since 1985, he has toured on-and-off in the "Now and Then" nostalgia show with fellow former Philly teen idols Fabian and Frankie Avalon.

In 2000, he put out his first album in over two decades, comprised of remakes of old hits.

Honored by the City of Philadelphia when the 2400 Block of S. 11th Street in Philadelphia was named Bobby Rydell Boulevard. The event was celebrated with a parade, a string band and Bobby arriving in a 1950 Pink Cadillac. The Mayor of Philadelphia attended along with thousands of people. A huge Block Party followed dedication ceremonies.

Inducted into Philadelphia's prestigious "Walk of Fame" where he was one of the first 10 inductees to have a star on Broad Street.

In the 1980s he teamed with fellow Philadelphians Frankie Avalon and Fabian to tour as 'The Golden Boys of Bandstand" which included a TV Special.

The "British Invasion" of 1964 may have hampered his career as a 'Teen Idol", but he did have modest chart success with his cover of "World Without Love (Please lock me away)" (1964). He later rerecorded "Sway" (1976) with a disco flavor.

In 1963 Bobby with Dennis and Lindsay Crosby, portrayed a struggling '60s rock group in the unsold TV pilot "Swingin' Together'.

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