BLAST FROM THE PAST
Former teen idol Bobby Rydell holds Q&A session, book signing at Ridley Township Library
Despite the heavy summertime rain showers, longtime loyal fans of former teen idol Bobby Rydell from all over the Philadelphia area flocked to Ridley Township Public Library and Resource Center Thursday night for a meet-and-greet with the famous singer. Fans were also given an opportunity to snag a personalized, signed copy of his recent autobiography “Teen Idol on the Rocks: A Tale of Second Chances.”
According to Library Assistant Director Mary Tobin, people registered weeks ahead of time for the popular event, and there was a sizable waiting list of fans hoping for last minute cancellations.
“We were elated to have Bobby Rydell come to Ridley Township Library for the second time,” Tobin said. “He is such a talented man, and very down to earth and personable as well.”
Before signing books, posing for photos and sharing some laughs and memories with his fans, Rydell sat at the front of the library’s meeting room for a casual Q&A session with the audience. The singer, whose hit songs topped the music charts in the 1960s, answered fans’ questions that ran the gamut from “Who would you like to perform with?” (Michael Buble), “Where do you vacation?” (Wildwood), and “Do you sing to your wife?” (No), to, “Why did the movie ‘Grease’ name the school ‘Rydell High?’” (He has no idea), and “What is the secret to overcoming such serious health problems and being a picture of health at age 78?” (He says he has been blessed).
Rydell talked about his lustrous performing career, which spans six decades, as well as memories of his father taking him around to Philadelphia clubs to sing
when he was a mere 7 years old, his military service and his encounters with Frank Sinatra, Annette Funicello, Chubby Checker, and Connie Francis. The singer also shared humorous stories and anecdotes of growing up as Bobby Ridarelli on
11th Street in South Philadelphia with Fabian, his days at Bishop Neumann High School and his often spur-of-the-moment performances on “American Bandstand.” He also shared the news he received just last week, that he will get a star in 2020 on The Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Rydell turned more serious at different points throughout the Q&A session, when he candidly discussed his 35-year marriage to Camille before losing her to breast cancer, his second chance at finding happiness with his wife of 10 years, Linda, his health setbacks of undergoing a liver and kidney transplant in 2012, followed by a heart double bypass in 2013 and a more recent broken femur bone. He also expressed his mixed emotions about his recent decision to sell his home in Penn Valley where he has lived and raised his children, from
1963 to the present. Amy Schaffer Maguire of Norwood asked Rydell if he’d consider performing with any younger artists.
“You are a fabulous singer,” she said. “Younger generations should hear you!” She then added with a chuckle, “Maybe you can ask Bradley Cooper.”
At those words, Rydell laughed and drew laughter from the room when he responded, “Do you know him? Can you ask him for me?” He then smiled and said, “You know, I wouldn’t mind singing with Lady Gaga.”
Another man asked him what he thought of today’s music.
“Are you kidding me?” Rydell replied with a grin, shaking his head and rolling his eyes. “In my car, I listen to Sports Radio
94WIP or Siriusly Sinatra on Sirius Radio.”
When one fan asked him to name his favorite song out of everything that he sings, Rydell answered “Volare,” without hesitating.
“That’s my signature music, my walk-on music, and my final bow/walk off music,” the singer explained.
Approaching 80 and despite the health problems he has overcome, Rydell hasn’t slowed down much. He told the audience that he performs eight out of
12 months a year, at dozens of gigs. Several audience members congratulated him on shows he did in recent weeks. Several people in the audience attended Parx Casino’s “Golden Boys” concert in June, where Rydell performed with Frankie Avalon and Fabian, and the East Coast Music Hall of Fame Gala in Wildwood.
Following Thursday’s appearance in Ridley Township, the energetic singer was leaving Delaware County, heading to Wildwood, where he was set to appear Friday at a Gift Of Life benefit, a charity near and dear to him.
At 17, Bobby Rydell was the face of “American Bandstand” — the kid from Italian South Philly with the smoothest voice, the highest pompadour, a natural talent and an unforgettable smile that garnered him fans wherever he performed. Known for such hits as “Wild One,” “Volare,” and “Forget Him,” the charismatic teen idol performed with other teen idols of the time, Frankie Avalon and Fabian. His singing, acting and dancing earned him what is now a legendary role with Ann-Margret in the film, “Bye Bye Birdie.” His comedic talents made him a nighttime fixture during the golden age of TV variety shows, and his phrasing and musicianship led to dozens of headlining gigs in the casino showrooms of Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
The singing sensation’s book, “Teen Idol on the Rocks: A Tale of Second Chances,” chronicles Rydell’s glory years, as well as the heartbreaking, turbulent times that he experienced along his life journey, including his battle with alcohol. The book details Rydell’s public triumphs, private demons and shares behind-the-scenes tales.
Following Thursday’s Q&A session, fans lined up to purchase books and get them signed by the star.
“I’ve loved Bobby Rydell since I was a kid,” gushed Barbara Sharp of Philadelphia, who attended the event with her daughter Andrea of Ridley Township. “I saw his Bandstand show three times, I saw him down in Clearwater and I was at his show two weeks ago, up in Bensalem at Parx Casino. I like him, too, because he’s a South Philly guy, through and through.”
“This night was great,” exclaimed Averi Horn, 11, of Linwood, as she clutched her signed book closely. Averi appeared to be the youngest attendee in the room. She came with her father, Tim, because she is a huge fan of the film, “Bye Bye Birdie.”
“I can’t believe that I just met him,” the young, grateful fan said. “Getting my book signed by him made my night!”
Amy Schaffer Maguire, the fan that Rydell joked about Bradley Cooper with earlier, purchased two books.
“He’s got this South Philly genuineness about him,” she said as she stood in line waiting to get the books signed, one for her parents and the other for a co-worker. “It’s like a ‘This is me, take me as I am’ kind of attitude. He’s seems so humble, like he never seems to forget where he came from and I think that’s why everyone is drawn to him. I think he’s fantastic!”