American singer, Bobby Rydell mainly performed rock and roll and traditional pop music. Also, he was a teen idol during the early 1960s.

Picture of late American singer, Bobby Rydell
Caption: Picture of late American singer, Bobby Rydell (Photo: The Sun)


Bobby Rydell's Early Life

On April 26th, 1942, Bobby Rydell was born in Philadelphia, PA. He was the son of parents Jennie Ridarelli (nee Sapienza) and Adrio "Al" Ridarelli. Bobby grew up in the Lower Moyamensing neighborhood of South Philadelphia. 

His dad took him around the clubs of Philadelphia at the age of 7, asking if he could sing and do some impersonations. Rydell had American nationality and belonged to white ethnicity. At the age of eight, he appeared on TV Teen Club's talent show. His real name is Robert Louis Ridarelli.


Bobby Rydell's Career

Rydell sang and played drums in several bands in the Philadelphia area, including "Rocco and the Saints". He signed a recording contract with Cameo Records after releasing three unsuccessful singles for small companies. He toured Australia with The Everly Brothers, Billy "Crash" Craddock, Marv Johnson, The Champs, The Crickets, and Lonnie Lee in May 1960. Rydell's 2nd success was "We Got Love" & his first sold a million copies and obtained gold disc status. Later in 1960, he released "Swingin' School" backed by "Ding-A-Ling" and "Volare," which also sold over a million copies.

Picture of Bobby Rydell performing on the stage
Caption: Picture of Bobby Rydell performing on the stage (Photo: cnn)


His debut performance at the Copacabana in New York City was in 1961 when he was the youngest headliner. At the Palais des Sports de Paris in Paris, France, he performed at the Festival du Rock in February 1961. After 22 years as a foreman at the Electro-Nite Carbon Company in Philadelphia, Rydell's father, Adrio, resigned in 1961 to become his son's road manager. The song "Wildwood Days" was released by Rydell in 1963 and reached Number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In Bye Bye Birdie, he played Hugo Peabody opposite Ann-Margret and Dick Van Dyke.

Bobby Rydell posing for the picture
Caption: Bobby Rydell posing for the picture (Photo: mirror)


According to Billboard, he earned 34 Top 100 hits over the course of his recording career. His most popular songs included "Wild One" (his highest-scoring single, at number 2), "Volare" (number 4), "Swingin' School" (number 5), "Kissin' Time" (number 11), "Sway" (number 14), and "I've Got Bonnie" (number 18). In January 1964, he reached number 4 on the Hot 100 with "Forget Him". His role as Zeke Kadiddlehopper, the younger cousin of Clem Kadiddlehopper, was written for him by Red Skelton during this period. Rydell signed a long-term recording contract with Reprise Records in January 1968, according to the UK music magazine NME. Over the course of his lifetime, Rydell toured extensively, often with Frankie Avalon and Fabian Forte; they were known as "The Golden Boys". In the year 2016, his autobiography was published. 


Bobby Rydell's Net Worth

Bobby Rydell had earned an estimated net worth of $10 Million at the time of his death. Rydell had collected a hefty sum of money out of his professional career. His prime source of earnings came from working as a singer and actor. 

Bobby Rydell sitting inside the car
Caption: Bobby Rydell sitting inside the car (Photo: YouTube)


Bobby was able to live a lavish life with his family. Out of his successful career, he had earned a hefty sum of money. After his death, Rydell's wealth has distributed to his wife & kids. 


Bobby Rydell Married Life

Bobby Rydell was married twice in his lifetime. He didn't share any kids with his 2nd wife Linda Hoffman. As per reports, his wife Hoffman is an Actress. The couple got married in the year 2009. 

Bobby Rydell with his wife Linda Hoffman
Caption: Bobby Rydell with his wife Linda Hoffman (Photo: getty images) 


Reports suggested that the duo dated, and shortly after, they got married in a private ceremony. The married couple was a longtime resident of Penn Valley, Pennsylvania, and lived in the same house from 1963 to 2013. Likewise, Bobby and Linda's married life ended after his death. 


Bobby Rydell First Wife

Bobby Rydell's first wife Camille Quattrone Ridarelli with whom, he shared 2 kids. Bobby and Camille were the parents of two kids; Jennifer Ridarelli (daughter) and a son Robert Ridarelli. Camille married life with her husband Bobby Rydell ended because of her death. The couple didn't get a divorce or have any conflicts in their married life. Camille died in 2003 due to cancer. Camille Quattrone tied the wedding knot with her husband Bobby in the year 1968. 

Bobby Rydell with his first wife Camille Quattrone Ridarelli
Caption: Bobby Rydell with his first wife Camille Quattrone Ridarelli (Photo: Facebook)


At their wedding around 1,000 guests were present. They got married in a beautiful ceremony held at Stella Maris Catholic Church in South Philadelphia. The couple was high school sweethearts and dating each other for a long period of time before their marriage. After their marriage, they decided to relocate to Hollywood but chose to remain in the Philadelphia area. The couple was married for more than 34 years before their blissful married life ended. 


Bobby Rydell Cause of Death

Bobby Rydell's cause of death was complications of pneumonia at Jefferson Abington Hospital. On April 5, 2022, Rydell passed away at the age of 79. Previously, he canceled a 2012 Australia tour because his health had deteriorated significantly. Then Rydell was in need of urgent major surgery.

Bobby Rydell posing for the picture
Caption: Bobby Rydell posing for the picture (Photo: deadline)


He underwent a double organ transplant to replace his liver and one kidney at Thomas Jefferson University in his hometown of Philadelphia on July 9, 2012. He returned to the stage in Las Vegas for a three-night engagement to a sold-out audience in January 2013, six months after the double transplant surgery. Bobby continued to perform internationally until his death in 2022.


Bobby Rydell Height

Bobby Rydell had a height of 5 feet 8 inches or 1.72 meters tall.