- Born
- Died
- Birth nameRobert Louis 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.- IMDb Mini Biography By: <anthony-adam@tamu.edu>
- SpousesLinda J Hoffman(January 17, 2009 - April 5, 2022) (his death)Camille Carmella Quattrone(October 5, 1968 - September 15, 2003) (her death, 2 children)
- "Rydell High School" in the movie musical, Grease (1978), is named in his honor.
- Honored by the City of Philadelphia when the 2400 block of South 11th St. 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 attended along with thousands of people. A huge block party followed dedication ceremonies.
- 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.
- 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.
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