Mourning for singer and entertainer Bobby Rydell: The “Bye Bye Birdie” star died at the age of 79, one of the most successful artists at the time.
Bobby Rydell was a sixties music and film star. With his real name Robert Ridarelli, he rose to become a celebrated artist. But now his fans have to say goodbye. The death of the American is made public in a long statement on his official Facebook page.
A statement there said the 79-year-old died in a Philadelphia hospital “of complications from pneumonia” that was not related to Covid-19.
“It was an absolute honor”
Rydell was born in 1942 and started his music career at an early age. In 1950, he was discovered on the show “TV Teen Club” and subsequently became a teen idol of the time.
In 1959, his first single, “Kissin’ Time,” made the Billboard Hot 100 hits. He celebrated great success with “Wild One” and his version of “Volare”. According to the Facebook statement, he has sold over 25 million albums and released 34 top 100 hits. He was among the top five most successful artists of that era.
Bobby Rydell: Seen here in 1961. (Credit: Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
In 1985, Rydell formed the band The Golden Boys with Frankie Avalon and Fabian. They made music together for decades.
He also received a special honor in the film “Grease” with a Hollywood star John Travolta granted. The high school in production was named after him. “I said: Why me? It could have been Anka High, Presley High, Everly High, Fabian High, Avalon High. And they took Rydell High and that was an absolute honor,” Rydell once explained.
He also worked as an actor
In 1963, Rydell made his acting debut opposite Ann-Margret and Dick Van Dyke in the hit musical film Bye Bye Birdie. More appearances in TV shows and films followed.
He also published his biography Teen Idol on the Rocks: A Tale of Second Chances. This is about, among other things, his fight against his alcohol addiction and depressionafter his first wife died. It also revolves around how he looks for a organ transplant recovered in 2012.
Rydell is survived by his wife Linda J. Hoffman, son Robert Ridarelli, daughter Jennifer Ridarelli Dulin and five grandchildren.
