Music icon Bobby Rydell ‘DEAD’ at 79 after becoming the first teen idol in the 60’s as fans mourn ‘tremendous’ legacy
MUSIC icon Bobby Rydell died at age 79 on Tuesday.
The very first '60s-era teen idol left behind a "tremendous" legacy now being mourned by heartbroken fans.
Bobby crooned hits like Wildwood Days and many more, including Volare and Wild One in the 1960s.
He even had city streets named after him in his hometown of Philadelphia, and the high school from Broadway's Grease was a nod to him, being named Rydell High.
Paul McCartney once said Bobby's hit, Swinging School, served as the inspiration behind The Beatles' 60s mega-hit, She Loves You.
The cause of death is unclear, according to , though an ABC6 News reporter wrote to that it was "possibly from complications from pneumonia."
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BOBBY'S INCREDIBLE LEGACY
Born in 1942, Bobby's impressive voice was one of his many talents which unfurled starting as a 1950’s teen idol.
"A polished performer by the age of 19," per his website - he had 34 Top 40 hits during the '50s and '60s.
Crowds roared as he toured as part of The Golden Boys stage production with Frankie Avalon and Fabian, and he was heralded for his singing talents among the trio.
Bobby sold a massive 25M records - with other hits including Forget Him and I'll Never Dance Again.
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He also famously appeared in 1963's Bye Bye Birdie with Ann Margaret and Dick Van Dyke.
He also penned an autobiography and had a book signing in his home state of Pennsylvania lined up for 2022, per his website.
In 1995, his hometown of Philadelphia named the street he was born on, “Bobby Rydell Boulevard.”
"A Philly Music Legend…. …has passed on. Sending prayers of comfort, strength and love to the family and fans of ," a local reporter mourned on Twitter.
Another fan wrote: "Words don’t come easy when you have to say goodbye to one of the greats.
"Bobby Rydell was truly everything you could want from a performer. His music is synonymous with summer for me & I’ll be missing him dearly."
HIS 'NEAR TRAGEDY'
According to the section of his website, in July 2012, Bobby underwent a double organ transplant.
"He received 75% of a liver and one kidney.
"His life was about to end when the generous family of a dying child saved 8 lives by organ donation.
"Bobby returned to the stage in Las Vegas in just 6 months, turning near tragedy to triumph."
Bobby continued to perform regularly in Las Vegas and Atlantic City - boasting more than 700 shows over 30 years with longtime peers Frankie Avalon and Fabian - before his passing.
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He married his second wife, Linda Hoffman, in 2009.
He shares Jennifer Ridarelli and Robert Ridarelli with his first wife, Camille.
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