Good response to our week-long Bobby Rydell Series.
Here are some of the comments we received before, during and after the series ran ...
Kent ...
Bobby Rydell - Part One -
So far, so good.
Frank B.
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialBobbyRydell/photos/a.224441190972018.54832.197885396960931/1051659518250177/?type=3&theater
Confession time. I grew up digging Bobby Rydell and I always thought his vocal range was underrated.
Hell, I still play Bobby's very enjoyable " Cha Cha Cha" on you tube about twice a week and in 1960 I wanted to attend "Swingin' School."
In reality, why was the kid so successful? Easy ... at a time when two thirds of white American parents thought rock 'n roll was the music of Satan, Bobby was this non-threatening kid with a big smile and perfectly coiffed hair style who would treat mom and pop's daughter with, uh, respect. Or so it appeared.
Rydell could never play ball in the same league with Chuck, Bo, Jerry Lee or the Five Satins but he does qualify as a second string Dion. He's on the same level with Ricky Nelson.
Plus, I truly admire Bobby's fight to overcome problems with the sauce.
I will give him my highest compliment: yes, he is a rocker.
kk, congrats on your interview. Truly excellent
Chet Coppock
I was 12 when my parents took me to see him for the first time at Monticello supper club in Framingham Mass. I got his autograph. How I wish I had a camera at that time! He was plastered all over my walls growing up,along with Fabian and then, the Beatles! I have seen him through the years on tour with the Boys of Bandstand. I really must read his book.
Eileen
And then ...
Your piece on Bobby Rydell was FABULOUS!! I saved it all up and just read everything tonight.
He has always been one of my favorite performers, since the time I saw him when I was about twelve. I was lucky to have seen him many times in Atlantic City with The Golden Boys - Frankie, Fabian and Chubby, at various performances. Forget Him is still one of my top favorite songs, even after all these years.
Funny, listening to him sing his version of World Without Love, the British accent he tries to put on while singing. I wonder, if it was supposed to be the American version, why he was shooting to sound British? Maybe because it was a Lennon / McCartney tune?
I'd love to be in the running to win a copy of his book!!
Thanks again Kent, for everything you do to keep our oldies alive!!
Eileen
Sorry, but the book winner has already been selected ... congratulations to Mike DeMartino of Chicago!
Meanwhile you can (and should!) pick up a copy of Bobby's book at either amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com ... or spring for the autographed edition here:
http://www.bobbyrydellbook.com/
'Forget Him' ... oh yes! My favorite too! I would absolutely forget him if that were ever sung to me.
Teen Idols? British Invasion? When you are IN the time it just flows and makes sense. I liked the music.....all the music. Bobby Rydell sings 'World Without Love', Peter & Gordon sing 'World Without Love'. I heard Bobby's first. Was it because of that or that the notes go up at the end of the line in Bobby's versus P&G where the notes went down that made Bobby's better for me? Now I cannot choose between the two. The Beatles didn't record it so it was fair game in my eyes. Strange, but that was the case ONLY if The Beatles did not record it.
Bobby's smooth, sultry, girls-want-to-faint voice ... HE (or someone like him) could find me and be my boyfriend? Perchance to dream! I did!
Rambling reactions from the first installment.
Shelley
Kent,
Love the Rydell interview!
I was blown away by his story about "Forget Him." It is certainly a fave of many of us here, but to find out that a US established hit artist recorded the 45 in the UK and it became a hit BEFORE it was a hit here is pretty unusual! Sure enough it happened as he said it did!
It first charted in the UK on May 23, 1963, and reached #13 over a massive (for the time) 14 weeks run! By coincidence, the Fab 4 were getting their first US minor successes at this time! Of course, in the UK, Bobby's song was already battling the home Brit hit groups that were unknown in the US at the time.
The 45 eventually found its' way to CHUM in Toronto just as he said. It charted in October on CHUM and filtered down and hit Billboard's Hot 100 in early November, again making a LONG chart run of 16 weeks, peaking at #4!
For its' progression, here's the ARSA info:
http://www.las-solanas.com/arsa/charts_item.php?hsid=3116
Of course, that Tony Hatch guy was a pretty good writer and had something to do with the success. After all, he wrote the Cryan Shames first hit too! Haha.
A couple of things I thought of while writing this and reading your interview:
How about ALL of those picture sleeves with Bobby's head profile only? Someone at Cameo certainly thought head shots of Bobby on almost EVERY 45 had to be common for every release. They almost always had new head photos on every new single to get the teen sex appeal even if a 45 might not be worthy of being a hit occasionally. I think these really helped people see his face and say "THAT'S BOBBY RYDELL!" if they spotted him anywhere or on TV. Much alike Elvis sleeves, even tho Elvis did not have a sleeve every time.
As far as Bobby playing clubs that would not necessarily include pop groups so much, it must have been similar to Uk groups playing the cabaret circuit, such as the Tremeloes and even the Hollies did in the 60's.
You mentioned "Rydell High" from Grease. This is the tribute I immediately noticed when Tom Hanks gave Freddy Fredrickson Bobby's voice in "That Thing You Do!"
I wonder how Bobby felt about this obvious portrayal of himself. Pretty cool, I thought. Great campy feel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqzkWSz1Onk
In case you haven't seen his performance from 11/7/59 of his first top 10 record on Dick Clark's Beechnut Show, here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csqvBhbwX1I
His first hit too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVb1Qk4hWJ0
Fast forward to Bobby's "Forget Him" 1964 followup single on American bandsatnd on my 8th birthday!! A nice short interview with Dick alfterwards! Bobby explains his UK recordings with Tony Hatch!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2ibfTf4az4
Clark Besch
Hey Kent,
What fun, reading your interview with Bobby Rydell!
He mentioned working with Louie Bellson on a recording so I had to search for it, as Louie is my all-time favorite drummer. Louie was a super-nice guy, just like Bobby. Bobby Vee is supposed to be another guy who is very friendly and approachable.
I don't know if Bobby Rydell recorded an all-big band album, but if not, should have. He sounds very comfortable, and right in the groove with all the horns.
Regarding his friendship with Frank Sinatra, maybe Frank saw a little of himself in Bobby, when he was that age.
My favorite song of Bobby's is "The Cha Cha Cha". It is so much fun to listen to. I would always wait for the two drum breaks and try to pretend I was the drummer! Upon hearing the song again, I noticed a vibraphone in the mix. Very cool. Bobby said he likes Michael Buble's version of "Sway". Wouldn't it be a real kick if Bobby attended one of Michael's concerts, and then got up onstage to sing the song with him?
My mom used to be bothered when Bobby would add "uh" after a phrase, like "you-uh, me-uh, this-uh, that-uh" etc., but lots of singers did it back then, and still do. When I would see him on TV, I thought he seemed a bit overconfident, but I realize now that he was just having fun, and that's what show-biz is all about.
- John LaPuzza https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utIA47CXcuA
Here's what I would say to Bobby Rydell if I had the chance to speak with him ...
Hi Bobby,
I grew up watching the Philadelphia years on American Bandstand and have always considered that era as my favorite in pop music. You were a big part of that and I have always considered two of your hits, Volare and Forget Him, as all-time favorites.
Two questions come to mind ...
What was it like to be part of the Dick Clark Caravan of Stars in those early years and did all the entertainers get along ?
Secondly, I as a fan, I was always frustrated at the delay in releasing the Cameo Parkway catalog on CD. As an artist, what was the frustration like on your part, as almost all of the other teen idol music was released while artists like you and Chubby Checker had to wait, not knowing if your fans would ever have access to the original versions of all your hits ?
I also want to say that there needs to be a place for artists like yourself, Neil Sedaka, Connie Francis, Chubby Checker, Bobby Vee, Jan and Dean and countless more in the Rock Hall of Fame. From the moment American Bandstand came on national television in 1958 until the Beatles arrived in America in 1964, the music many of you performed was the soundtrack of lots of lives and our foundation for all that followed.
Thanks,
Mark Magel
I kinda missed the golden Bandstand era ... I didn't discover pop music until The Beatles came along and then I was completely sucked in by The British Invasion.
Sure, I watched American Bandstand over the years ... but I just never really got into the whole lip-synching bit ... and, never being a dancer, that also held little appeal to me. As a music fan, I enjoyed things like "Rate A Record" ... it was fun to see some of these new releases go on to be big hits ... although a big percentage of them never did.
Neil Sedaka, Connie Francis, Chubby Checker, Jan and Dean ... ALL of these artists have been on our "Deserving And Denied" list for quite some time as being worthy of Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction. (I'd include Paul Anka in that "early era" list, too) Will it ever happen? It seems to get less and less likely every year ... which is a real shame as the committee only seems to concentrate on the new "eligibles" each year, leaving great acts like The Guess Who, The Moody Blues, Electric Light Orchestra and several other highly worthy acts in limbo. (kk)
I, Eddie Kelly, along with other American Bandstand regulars such as Carmen Jimenez, Arlene Sullivan and Frank Lobis, were flown to Los Angeles to be participants in Dick Clark's 33-1/3 American Bandstand Anniversary Special. Bobby was appearing with Frankie Avalon and Fabian. We spent some quality time with Bobby and had a few drinks in the lounge. This was 1985.
I saw him again and we chatted a bit at the 40th Anniversary of AB at the original studios in Philadelphia in 1997. He's one of the great and better guys ... really down to earth and never affected by his fame.
Thanks, kk.
Best,
Eddie
I interviewed Bobby back in '72 at a little dinner club in my hometown of Lakewood, NJ. I make the cuts into about a 40 minutes special featuring all of his biggest hits. He was wonderful to me, a then 19 year-old music geek / radio dude.
I told him that when my wife and I attended his book signing / birthday bash in NYC a few weeks ago. I mentioned that to him ... I don't think he even remembered performing in Lakewood, NJ ... but that's ok, as he likely sang at hundreds of small venues in his day, especially during low periods of his career. But he sure did sing well that night.
It's great to hear that you're going to be talking to him. I would have new questions, now that I've read his book.
1. Tell us more about the guys responsible for the sound coming out of those studios in Philly. I mean ... the musicians, the charts ... and especially, the rockin' bands that played behind the Cameo / Parkway artists. I know some were done in NYC, but the majority were cut in Philly.
2. Also, tell us MORE about the guys who produced, arranged and wrote the tunes. Did he ever have a hand in lyrics or arrangements?
3. His version of "Jingle Bell Rock" along with Chubby Checker is one of the best Christmas records ever made. Tell us more about that session. Was he pals with Chubby and the rest of the roster there? Their version of that holiday classic truly rocked ... showing Bobby's strength in up-tempo tunes.
I think he could have stayed in the mainstream had he developed a harder edge just as the British Invasion happened. "Wildwood Days" was one example from '63. My only comment about that is the DAVE CLARK FIVE sounded very much like the Cameo / Parkway hits that Rydell did. See if he agrees. Big Saxes ... BIG reverb ... BIG compression and limiting to make the records SPARKLE.
4. Tell us MORE about how Cameo / Parkway fell apart ... be specific.
I know that gambling of one of the main players there played a large part in the quick demise of Cameo / Parkway.
5. Does he think HE should be in the R&R Hall of Fame? What about Chubby Checker?
I will tell you, Kent, that I ENDED an interview just as quickly as it started with Mr. Ernie Evans. He was not only rude to ME (thinking I didn't know about his music -- which of course I DID) and was obviously pissed that he was playing at a small venue on the Seaside Heights, NJ, boardwalk in a dive bar. But he could have be nicer. I know not everyone wants to do an interview before a show ... but I was there between two shows. I was going to do a flattering piece on the guy for air use. But when it became apparent he wasn't interested, I just took the mic and tape machine and walked out.
Most people don't care too much about the behind the scenes stuff ... but record pigs DO. And that's why I think he could shed some light on some of this fascinating stuff. Philly was the epicenter of the music world for about five years ... much of it dominated by Rydell, Checker, etc..
That ought to hold you for a few minutes of great answers.
BE BIG!
Big Jay Sorensen
Without a single exception, every person I have ever talked to who has met, worked with or interviewed Bobby Rydell describes him as one of the nicest guys in show business. I remember several years ago when Forgotten Hits was brand new one of our readers talked about the time he took all of his Bobby Rydell albums to a live show and asked Bobby to sign them. It really was kind of a selfish move ... but Bobby didn't hesitate, telling the fellow, "Hey, if you bought 'em all, I'll sign 'em all" ... a virtually unprecedented response.
Meanwhile, nearly to a man, every one who has ever talked to me about Chubby Checker describes him as extremely difficult to get along with. I dunno ... maybe he's just bitter, feeling that he's never really gotten his due as an artist, acknowledging his contribution to the history of rock and roll ... and there's some truth to that. Chubby is the ONLY guy to hit #1 TWICE with the same recording and kick off a national dance craze ... TWICE ... each time he did it. In 1960, the kids got up and twisted ... and a couple of years later, it was their parents visiting all the twist clubs that sprung up all over the nation. When we campaigned heavily for his rightful induction into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame several years ago, his fan club approached us and said, "Don't worry about Chubby ... the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame will take care of itself" ... again, hardly what one would expect from a fan club of a particular artist. All I know is that it's now nine years later and he STILL hasn't ever even been listed on the ballot ... and I think that's just wrong.
I think we hit quite a few of the points you suggested during our interview ... see if you agree. (kk)
Bobby played Rochester as part of the Golden Boys (with Frankie Avalon and Fabian) and he was, by far, the most naturally personable. I was fortunate to emcee the show and spent about 15 minutes with them in their trailer and enjoyed talking to Bobby the most.
Danny Guilfoyle
One of my first 45s was Bobby Rydell's "Volare" and I played it to death! LOVED it! Had no idea anyone had done it previously, just as what happens decade after decade with remakes. However, thanks to my brothers, I already loved his 45s, much like Freddie Cannon or Neil Sedaka. Their 45s were always spinning at our house.
BTW, Bobby tried doing a couple of Grass Roots tunes for Reprise. In 68, he issued both "The Lovin' Things" and "The River Is Wide" as A sides! I taped his RCA 1970 45 "It Must Be Love" off American Bandstand's "Rate a Record" so Dick Clark was still pushing the Rydell wagon. It was up against the Osmonds' "Movin Along," who were also kind of has beens at the time ... however they would quickly become giants. I taped both off AB and really liked "Movin Along" (I was 14 then), which could have easily been a re-release follow-up to "One Bad Apple" after they hit big.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NVQ2bTZJpI
Clark Besch
When I first saw that Bobby had cut two songs that would ultimately go on to become hits for The Grass Roots while doing the research for this project, I was kinda shocked. I thought, "Wow, even though he wasn't hitting the charts any more, he still had a great ear for music and could spot a hit song a mile away. So it was quite a shock when Bobby told me that he didn't pick any of his own material ... he just recorded whatever they put in front of him. On the other hand, this means that whoever WAS making those decisions at the time felt that Bobby could still be making contemporary recordings if given the chance. Unfortunately by then, radio wasn't paying attention anymore. (kk)
I can't wait to read about your Bobby Rydell exploits ... cool stuff. The guy is, and always was, Mr. Smooth Voice.
EVERYBODY'S got to cha cha cha, as far as I'm concerned!
I only met him once, and what a sweet, kind gent.
Bob Rush
Very interesting to find out that Bobby only filled in ONE NIGHT as the drummer for Rocco and the Saints after hearing and reading forever that he and Frankie were both in the band. I suppose technically they were but certainly not as I thought.
Way to dig out the facts and great interview.
Danny
This was a big reveal for me. For over half a century now we've heard about how Bobby Rydell (on drums) and Frankie Avalon (on trumpet) were in Rocco and the Saints together and that both went on to enjoy HUGE pop records as worldwide teen idols. To find out that they did exactly ONE gig together was quite a shock (and even that was with Bobby sitting in.) Will history be rewritten as a result of our interview? Probably not ... like they always say, when the legend is better than the truth, print the legend ... but Forgotten Hits readers now know the truth. (kk)
I am really looking forward to you devoting the entire week to Bobby Rydell. My favorites of his has got to be SWINGIN' SCHOOL and I always did like his version of THAT OLD BLACK MAGIC.
I discovered this tonight online about Bobby Rydell. It's from 2001 and the A & E Biography series.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDHhg83CJAo&feature=em-share_video_user
Bobby Rydell - Wild About Bobby
Here's the A&E Biography special for Bobby Rydell from 2001. Includes some great old clips and photos, as well as interviews with: Dick Clark, Frankie Avalon, Fabian, Ann-Margret, James Darren, Linda Hoffman, Bobby himself of course, his family, and many more. A great MUST-watch for any Bobby fan. Do enjoy!
Larry Neal
Hi Kent ...
I have not seen Bobby for a long time. He recorded one of my songs, "Sideshow", in the sixties.
Bobby is a great guy ... I love his voice! I went to the session when Bobby did "Sideshow" and worked with the producer. I wish I had more to share.
Lots of love,
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