CLASSIC South Philly talent Bobby Rydell
by Alissa Wolf
Bobby Rydell headlines at Harrah's Broadway By The Bay Theater Through Sunday. Check the casino section for showtimes, ticket prices.
Although he was lumped in with the rest of the teen idols who took the music world by storm via South Philly in the early days of rock, Bobby Rydell was more than just a pretty face.
Unlike many of the other singing sensations of that era, he was actually an accomplished musician and singer long before the overactive teeny-bopper hype machine devoured him.
Robert Ridarelli, as he was known when he first came into this world, was a sought-after drummer who was a seasoned showbiz pro by the age of six. He later went on to establish himself as a respected singer, scoring numerous pop hits during the late '50s and early '60s, while later adding acting to his list of achievements via his appearance in the classic flick Bye Bye Birdie.
Despite that the omnipotent British Invasion had pretty much wiped out his pop music bankability by the time the mod mid-'60s rolled around, Rydell managed to eke out a respectable career for himself as a classic saloon-style entertainer. As such, he's been greatly in demand in showrooms and nightclubs ever since.
Suffice it to say his current engagement at Harrah's, where he appears through this weekend, is basically a no-brainer. But that's the beauty of classic performers like Rydell - there will always be a market for his old-fashioned style and warm, personable stage presence.
In these troubled, impersonal times, there's also something downright comforting about Rydell's presence. The casual, friendly manner in which he relates to the audience from the outset sets the tone for an evening of pure musical relaxation. Rydell's performances, which do not feature an opening act, are short and sweet; roughly an hour. But he manages to pack a lot of find memories into that time frame.
After sauntering onto the stage last Friday in casual black slacks, black tab collar shirt and white sports jacket, Rydell launched smoothly into a litany of his classic pop hits, such as the million-selling "Wild One" and the bossa nova-flavored "Sway". He then proceeded to warmly banter with the crowd, which he did throughout the show, while introducing a medley from Bye Bye Birdie, joking about the name of the nerdy character he portrayed I the film. "You don't walk around with a name like Hugo Peabody in South Philly," he quipped.
Rydell then went into some shtick about his family - he's been happily married to Camille for 28 years - his kids and grandkids, and the days when he was an alter boy in South Philly. He then took the audience on a trip down memory lane with fond reminiscences of old 45-RPM record players.
With that he launched into his last million-selling disc, "Forget Him," penned by Tony Hatch of "Downtown" and "Call Me" fame. The best was yet to come, as Rydell deftly embarked on a soulful medley of classic saloon hits such as "When I Take My Sugar to Tea," "Walking My Baby Back Home" and "What's New."
This was followed by a lively tribute to his late buddy and fellow teen idol, Bobby Darin, during which he rattled off "Splish Splash," "Dream Lover" and "Mack the Knife."
Rydell ended the show on an upbeat note with "Volare" and a little ditty called "Bless You All," in tribute to the audience.
Although his image as a former teen idol often overshadows his talents, the fact is, the guy can sing. He possesses a very silken vocal texture, a formidable range and excellent command of phrasing. Rydell also is a purist in terms of orchestration, opting for a big band (led by respected conductor Michael Natale) and top-notch arrangements.
If you're hankering for an evening of old-fashioned, gentle entertainment that's professional in every way, Rydell serves up a tasty mix.
September 1996