Bobby Rydell, an American singer, primarily performed rock and roll and traditional pop music. He was also a teen idol in the early 1960s.
Early Life of Bobby Rydell
Bobby Rydell was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 26, 1942. He was the son of Adrio “Al” Ridarelli and Jennie Ridarelli (nee Sapienza). Bobby grew up in South Philadelphia’s Lower Moyamensing neighborhood.
At the age of seven, his father took him around Philadelphia clubs, asking if he could sing and do impersonations. Rydell was of white ethnicity and of American nationality. He debuted on TV Teen Club’s talent show at the age of eight. Robert Louis Ridarelli is his given name.
Bobby Rydell’s Professional Career
Rydell sang and played drums in several Philadelphia-area bands, including “Rocco and the Saints.” After releasing three unsuccessful singles for small companies, he signed a recording contract with Cameo Records. In May 1960, he went on tour with The Everly Brothers, Billy “Crash” Craddock, Marv Johnson, The Champs, The Crickets, and Lonnie Lee in Australia.
Rydell’s second hit was “We Got Love,” which sold a million copies and earned him gold disc status. Later that year, he released “Swingin’ School,” which was followed by “Ding-A-Ling” and “Volare,” all of which sold over a million copies.
He made his debut as the youngest headliner at the Copacabana in New York City in 1961. In February 1961, he performed at the Festival du Rock at the Palais des Sports de Paris in Paris, France. Adrio Rydell’s father, Adrio, resigned as a foreman at the Electro-Nite Carbon Company in Philadelphia after 22 years to become his son’s road manager in 1961.
Rydell’s song “Wildwood Days” was released in 1963 and peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He played Hugo Peabody opposite Ann-Margret and Dick Van Dyke in Bye Bye Birdie.
According to Billboard, he had 34 Top 100 hits during his recording career. “Wild One” (his highest-charting single, at number 2), “Volare” (number 4), “Swingin’ School” (number 5), “Kissin’ Time” (number 11), “Sway” (number 14), and “I’ve Got Bonnie” were among his most popular songs (number 18). With “Forget Him,” he reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1964. During this time, Red Skelton wrote him a role as Zeke Kadiddlehopper, Clem Kadiddlehopper’s younger cousin.
According to the UK music magazine NME, Rydell signed a long-term recording contract with Reprise Records in January 1968. Rydell toured extensively during his lifetime, frequently with Frankie Avalon and Fabian Forte, who was known as “The Golden Boys.” His autobiography was published in the year 2016.
Net Worth of Bobby Rydell
Bobby Rydell’s net worth was estimated to be $10 million at the time of his death. Rydell had amassed a sizable fortune from his professional career. His primary source of income came from his work as a singer and actor.
Bobby and his family were able to live a lavish lifestyle. He had amassed a sizable fortune as a result of his successful career. Rydell’s estate was distributed to his wife and kids after his death.
Married Life of Bobby Rydell
Bobby Rydell married twice during his life. He had no kids with his second wife, Linda Hoffman. According to reports, his wife Hoffman is an actress. In the year 2009, the couple married.
According to reports, the couple dated and later married in a private ceremony. The married couple lived in Penn Valley, Pennsylvania, for many years, in the same house from 1963 to 2013. Similarly, Bobby and Linda’s marriage ended with his death.
First Wife of Bobby Rydell
Bobby Rydell’s first wife was Camille Quattrone Ridarelli, with whom he had two kids. Bobby and Camille had two parents: Jennifer Ridarelli (daughter) and Robert Ridarelli (son). Camille’s marriage to Bobby Rydell came to an end when she died. The couple did not divorce or have any disagreements during their marriage. Camille died of cancer in 2003. Camille Quattrone married her husband Bobby in the year 1968.
Around 1,000 people attended their wedding. They were married at Stella Maris Catholic Church in South Philadelphia in a beautiful ceremony. Before their marriage, the couple was high school sweethearts who had been dating for a long time. They considered moving to Hollywood after their marriage but instead chose to stay in the Philadelphia area. Before their happy marriage ended, the couple had been married for more than 34 years.
Bobby Rydell’s Cause of Death
Bobby Rydell died of pneumonia complications at Jefferson Abington Hospital. Rydell died on April 5, 2022, at the age of 79. Previously, he canceled a tour to Australia in 2012 due to serious health issues. Rydell then required emergency major surgery.
On July 9, 2012, he underwent a double organ transplant to replace his liver and one kidney at Thomas Jefferson University in his hometown of Philadelphia. In January 2013, six months after the double transplant surgery, he returned to the stage in Las Vegas for a three-night sold-out engagement. Bobby performed internationally until his death in 2022.
Bobby Rydell’s Height
Bobby Rydell stood 5 feet 8 inches (1.72 meters) tall.