Robert Ridarelli became the international performer, Bobby Rydell. Bobby had it all - good looks, fame and talent to spare. He was the “original” American Idol.

Bobby began performing as early as kindergarten doing impressions. He got his early grounding in music from his father when they would frequent Philadelphia’s big band hotspots. When he saw Gene Krupa perform with Benny Goodman’s orchestra he immediately wanted to follow in Krupa’s footsteps.

At 9 he won the TV Teen Club amateur contest and became a regular on the show. In his early teens he joined Rocco and the Saints as their drummer. The trumpet player was another Philadelphian, Francis Avallone, who later became Frankie Avalon. It was soon after this that Bobby worked up his solo act and became Bobby Rydell.

Soon he was recording for Cameo-Parkway Records and the hits flowed as Bobby Rydell became an international teenage sensation. Rockin’ up the charts all around the world were “We Got Love,” “Kissin’ Time,” “Wild One,” “Swingin’ School, “ “Volare,” “Sway,” “That Old Black Magic,” “Good Time Baby,” “ I’ve Got Bonnie,” “I’ll Never Dance Again,” “I Wanna Thank You” “The Cha Cha Cha,”  and “Forget Him.”

Of all the teen idols of the day, the singing of Bobby Rydell was unquestionably the most polished. Billboard lists Bobby as having 34 Top 40 hits and is one of the Top 5 artists of his era.

As well as selling millions of records and enjoying international fame Bobby was a regular on many television shows, American Bandstand, The Red Skelton Show, The Milton Berle Show, Perry Como, Jack Benney, and George Burns. Working with the “greats” in comedy Bobby was able to develop his uncanny gift for comedy with the very best of them. He was also featured in the now classic Columbia Pictures “Bye Bye Birdie” as Ann Margret’s boyfriend, Hugo Peabody. When producers saw the magic on the screen they expanded the original role of Hugo and wrote new songs for him.

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.”

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 17 tours down under, where he continues to be a favorite performer.  Bobby is a showroom favorite in Las Vegas and Atlantic City as well.   For the past 25 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. 

In 1995 his hometown of Philadelphia, PA named the street he was born “Bobby Rydell Boulevard.”   A city “block party” followed dedication ceremonies. Quite a tribute to a city’s favorite native son!  Wildwood, NJ also has a street named for Bobby in appreciation for Bobby’s massive hit, “Wildwood Days.”

The teen idol, now a seasoned performer, continues to perform to sell out audiences throughout the world. As a review of a recent performance put it, “Bobby Rydell is a true American Music Treasure.”