Page 3 - Italian American Herald - May 2022

Contents
In the Region ............................... 4-5 Achiever ......................................... 6 Travel ............................................. 8 Heritage.......................................... 9 Books ............................................10 Vini d’Italia.....................................12 Local .......................................14, 21 It’s All Good ...................................16 Per I Bambini/News from Italy .......18 Pagina Italiana...............................19 The Chef’s Perspective ................. 20 In Memoriam ................................ 21 Language ..................................... 22
Dionne Warwick, Jerry Blavat and Bobby Rydell.
ITALIAN-AMERICAN HERALD
MAY2022 | ITALIANAMERICANHERALD.COM 3 REMEMBERING BOBBY RYDELL
Music icon: Boy from Philly remembered as ‘the real deal’ Continued from front page
Vol.9No.5–May2022
A MONTHLY NEWSPAPER SERVING THE ITALIAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY
A DIVISION OF TODAY MEDIA Editor & Publisher
Robert F. Martinelli
Vice Pres. Business Development
Charles W. Tomlinson Jr.
Associate Publisher
Barbara Ann Zippi-Och
Art Director
Rosalinda Rocco
This issue’s contributors
Melissa Cannavo-Marino Frank Cipparone Jeanne Outlaw-Cannavo Flavia Loreto
Ken Mammarella Charlie Sacchetti Murray Schulman
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Jeanne Outlaw-Cannavo
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Al Kemp
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Tanya Tecce
Audience Development Director
David Bergeman
Production Director
Donna Hill
Graphic Designers
Eric Bolis Shelby Mills
Editor Emeritus
Joseph T. Cannavo
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In Memoriam
Chairman Angelo R. Martinelli (1927-2018) Vice President Ralph Martinelli (1962-2019)
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through the area’s Italian-American community. “Bobby Rydell performed at my annual
Seven Fishes event. He was not only a
great performer but a down to earth guy who never forgot where he came from,” remembered Dom Giordano, host on WPHT 1210-AM.
Sue Serio, of “Good Day Philadelphia” of Fox 29, said she is “still starstruck” from her time with Rydell.
“A Philly guy, a teen idol, an amazing entertainer. Most importantly, I knew him as just a nice person who was grateful for the life he had. He got 10 bonus years after a double organ transplant in 2012. And every time I saw him, he paid tribute to the person who made that possible,” she said.
Disc jockey and entertainer Jerry Blavat affectionately remembered Rydell as “the real deal.”
“A south Philly kid along with Frankie Avalon who never forgot where they came from. He may be gone singing with the angels but his music will be singing to us each time we hear a song by Bobby Rydell,” he said.
Pete Byron, the mayor of Wildwood, shared fond memories of Rydell, whom he called “Wildwood’s favorite son.”
“I had the pleasure of meeting Bobby Rydell a number of times,” Byron said.
“ A consummate entertainer and, more importantly, a real gentleman. Despite his success, he never forgot his roots . He really loved Wildwood.”
History was made for Rydell when at the age of 19, he became the youngest singer
to perform at New York City’s Copacabana nightclub, a legendary appearance recently portrayed by Von Lewis in the 91st Academy Award-winning film, “Green Book.”
He made his film debut in the 1963 classic, “Bye Bye Birdie,” as Hugo Peabody, the love interest of Ann-Margret’s character, Kim McAfee. He later went on to star in multiple movies, television series, and comedy specials throughout his career.
Rydell was known for multiple appearances on Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand,” and for becoming the high school namesake in the iconic 1978 movie “Grease,” a 1950’s-era teen love story starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.
In 1985, talent manager Dick Fox paired Rydell with two other Philadelphia-area entertainers, Frankie Avalon and Fabian, to create The Golden Boys. The entertaining trio continued performing for over decades.
Mr. Rydell’s repertoire included love ballads and dance tunes, along with energetic rockers like “Wild One” and “Swingin’ School.” His signature song was Domenico Modugno’s 1958 hit “Volare.”
Bobby Rydell had a deep repertoire of love songs, movie songs and rock numbers. | BOBBYRYDELL.COM
Rydell released his biography, “Teen Idol on the Rocks: A Tale of Second Chances,”
a story about Rydell’s struggle with alcohol and depression following the death of his first wife. The book follows Rydell through a journey of recovery after receiving a double organ transplant in July 2012.
Rydell was known for taking time to meet and greet audiences after shows, during book
signings, and at private dinner events. He was an advocate for The Gift of Life, a nonprofit organization aimed at helping families whose loved ones experience and recover from organ transplants.
Rydell is survived by his wife, Linda J. Hoffman, son Robert Ridarelli, daughter Jennifer Dulin, and his five grandchildren. IAH
Bobby Rydell with Pete Byron, mayor of Wildwood, N.J.
Decked out in Eagles regalia at Philadelphia International Airport, Bobby Rydell shares a laugh with his personal driver, Tony Pearce.