If you want a sense of just how big Bobby Rydell was in the late 1950s, consider this: the high school in Grease was named after him. As the ’50s turned into the ’60s, he became one of the era’s biggest teen idols, scoring hits like “Kissin’ Time,” “Wild One,” and his rendition of “Volare.” He also stepped into acting, appearing in Bye Bye Birdie. However, as the decade progressed, his momentum slowed with the rise of bands like The Beatles.
Even after his peak fame faded, Rydell never walked away from music. He continues to perform live and tour, often alongside fellow ’60s stars.
Today, he shares the stage with fellow Philadelphia natives Frankie Avalon and Fabian as part of a group called The Golden Boys. The trio, who grew up together, have been performing since 1985. Rydell once reflected on their long-running success, noting he originally expected the show to last only a couple of years—but decades later, they’re still going strong. In addition to group performances, he has also appeared solo and in shows like Stars of the Sixties.
In 2016, Rydell released his memoir, Bobby Rydell: Teen Idol on the Rocks: A Tale of Second Chances, co-written with Allan Slutsky. Though he initially doubted anyone would be interested in his story, he ultimately opened up deeply in the book, offering an honest and heartfelt account of his life.
Rydell has also faced serious personal challenges. In 2012, he underwent a liver and kidney transplant due to complications from alcoholism, which worsened after the death of his first wife, Camille Quattrone Ridarelli, in 2003. He later described the transplant as a true “second chance.” Despite the ordeal—and concerns about his voice following surgery—he was able to return to performing within six months.
He found love again as well. In 2009, Rydell married his second wife, Linda Hoffman. He once shared a humorous moment when they stumbled upon Bye Bye Birdie on TV, and she jokingly reacted to seeing his younger self on screen.
