Bobby Rydell in conversation with Anthony DeCurtis, 92Y, NYC, 7.27.16


by Michael Sherer
Posted: Jul 2016
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Bobby Rydell & Anthony DeCurtis - photo by Michael Sherer

Bobby Rydell & Anthony DeCurtis - photo by Michael Sherer

This former late 1950’s/early 1960’s teen idol with the highest and most hardened pompadour of them all is now 74. He has one of the deepest stories to tell of his peers. With a book out this year cleverly titled “Teen Idol On The Rocks,” Bobby had an engaging and illuminating discussion with veteran music writer and commentator Anthony DeCurtis. Anthony gave a lovely and thoughtful introduction to bring Bobby out to the intimate audience at the 100 plus year old institution 92 Y on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Anthony noted that as a fellow Italian American and music buff, he’s had much interest in Bobby, who’s real name is Robert Louis Ridarelli. As often is the case, very ethnic names are changed to a shorter, neutral sounding one. Bobby did just that at the start of his career.

The title of Bobby’s book is a double entendre, as he turned heavily to vodka after the passing of his longtime wife and high school sweetheart from cancer in 2003. This led to Bobby critically needing a very risky double organ transplant of his liver and kidneys by 2012. Had he not done so then, he would have had a very short time to live. This highly serious matter was discussed, as were other painful aspects of his life, such as his mother being bi-polar and having a cruel and domineering streak throughout Bobby’s life. Given how important family is in the traditional Italian ethos, it was all the more problematic to Bobby and his family members. Compounding this was them all in living in one house that Bobby bought when financial success truly hit in the early ‘60’s.

Bobby discussed the highs and lows of his six plus decade career and his childhood growing up in South Philadelphia, a very Italian area, at least then. He spoke about his first musical love, big band jazz and especially the drums, which he starting playing as a kid. This came about from seeing and hearing famed drummer and fellow Italian Gene Krupa play at a very young age and being blown away. Bobby then began to sing and that’s when things came into shape. In 1950, he won a talent show on the television series Paul Whiteman’s TV Teen Club and scored a spot on the cast, where he stayed for several years. It was Whitehead, a big band jazz leader and musician himself, that had Bobby change his name. Whitehead had trouble pronouncing Ridarelli and also thought Rydell sounded better. 

Bobby also spoke about cutting three unsuccessful singles for small record labels outside his hometown area and then signing with Bernie Lowe’s Cameo Records, located locally in Philly. “Kissin’ Time” was the first single for them in 1959, and it reached the charts. The following year things went into overdrive as Bobby toured Australia with The Everly Brothers, Billy “Crash” Craddock, Marv Johnson, The Champs and The Crickets, and recorded an Australian version of “Kissin’ Time” for the tour. This was the beginning of the peak of Bobby’s stardom. Australia would forever hold a high place in Bobby’s heart and career from then on, whereby he’s toured it a remarkable 22 times.

Highlights such as this were discussed here, including a huge one: In 1961 Bobby met one of his all time idols, Frank Sinatra, at The Copacabana in NYC. Bobby, then 19, was the youngest performer to have ever performed there, and Sinatra was in attendance. Sinatra invited Bobby to sit at his table with his other famous friends. This is when Bobby felt he had truly arrived. A lifelong friendship with Sinatra would ensue.

The latter ‘60’s would find Bobby’s career in a down turn as the hippie and rock era dominated and when artists were expected to write their own material to be hip. This was the start of Bobby being more of a nostalgia presence, as were his peers. However, Bobby is more of a survivor and has more range of talent than most all of them. And he’s never lost his down-to-earth, South Philly neighborhood boy next door ethos. He’ll make you feel welcome and appreciated, and he’ll want to talk to you. This alone is worth its weight in gold.