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Bobby Rydell, '60s teen idol and star of 'Bye Bye Birdie,' dies at 79 (nbcnews.com)
His fame as the epitome of an American pop star was such that Rydell High School in the Broadway musical and subsequent film “Grease” was named after him.
LOS ANGELES — Bobby Rydell, the epitome of the early ‘60s “teen idol,” who parlayed that fame into a starring role opposite Ann-Margret in the 1963 film “Bye Bye Birdie,” died Tuesday at age 79. The cause of death was pneumonia.
His death just days away from his 80th birthday was confirmed by radio legend Jerry Blavat, Rydell’s longtime friend from the singer’s South Philadelphia stomping grounds.
“Out of all the kids” from that era, Blavat said, “he had the best pipes and was the greatest entertainer. He told the best stories, did the best impersonations and was the nicest guy.”...
His fame as the epitome of an American pop star was such that Rydell High School in the Broadway musical and subsequent film “Grease” was named after him.
LOS ANGELES — Bobby Rydell, the epitome of the early ‘60s “teen idol,” who parlayed that fame into a starring role opposite Ann-Margret in the 1963 film “Bye Bye Birdie,” died Tuesday at age 79. The cause of death was pneumonia.
His death just days away from his 80th birthday was confirmed by radio legend Jerry Blavat, Rydell’s longtime friend from the singer’s South Philadelphia stomping grounds.
“Out of all the kids” from that era, Blavat said, “he had the best pipes and was the greatest entertainer. He told the best stories, did the best impersonations and was the nicest guy.”...
