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Bobby Rydell is touring Australia with the All Stars during March, and will call in to visit us at the Glasshouse. Bobby has visited Australia more than 20 times during the course of his phenomenal music career and calls Oz his ‘second home’. Bet you’ll never guess what it is that keeps bringing him back to visit our shores, though … hat’s your favourite memory from the feeling like when you achieved your first number that golden era – the late 1950s to the one? 1960s? When I heard my first record being played on the radio, I As far as Australia is concerned, the was driving to New York City – I lived in Philadelphia, which Everly Brothers, myself and some other is only about an hour and a half south of New York City. I bands worked the old Sydney Stadium [in 1960] – a was with my manager, and we were going to New York to gentleman by the name of Lee Gordon was the promoter. do some promotion. It was WABC Radio – a Disc Jockey by The kids at the show just went crazy! They started storming the name of Bruce Morrow (they called him Cousin Brucey). the stage, and we couldn’t get off! We had to get the He said, “Here’s a new artist with his brand new hot record – Sydney Police to form a V, so we could get out of the it’s Bobby Rydell, singing Kissin’ Time”! stadium. I went nuts, because it was the first time I’d heard it on We were also one of the first Rock ‘n’ Roll shows to work the radio. And then, of course, doing The Dick Clark Show Perth. There are so many stories – and all the ones for the first time and American Bandstand promoting Kissin’ that come to mind are from Australia! Time. You didn’t have the same crowd I had 3 or 4 records before Kissin’ Time … The reaction everywhere else you Dick Clark Show emanated out of Philadelphia, travelled? and my manager would take my records and g I have a really bi . I I have a big fan base here [in play them for Dick. The first record, second ralia fan base in Aust wn to the USA], but for some reason or record, third record got, “No … no” – and try to make it do ths - I another, I have a really big fan base in I decided I wasn’t really cut out for this on Oz every 18 m it. ve Australia. This visit will be something business, and I was happy just to play the lo ly absolute like my 20th or 21st visit to your drums. Then the fourth record – which wonderful country. was Kissin’ Time came out – and it started I try to make it down to Oz every 18 everything, back in the summer of 1959. months – and I absolutely love it. So many years and many hits later, are the Back in the beginning, when you were number ones all equally as memorable, or does evolving your musical style, English artists were that first one really stick in the mind? obviously watching what the American artists were I guess the first hit record always sticks in the memory – doing – and vice versa. Did the music coming out of UK and then the first million-seller, which for me was a record at the time have any influence on your act? called Wild One, in 1960. I was working up to three millionNo, because we were around before anything that was sellers by then and other chart toppers. We actually went ever a hit came out of the UK. The artists that I fell in love back into the recording studio in Philadelphia again to do with when I first started recording were people like Bobby Kissin’ Time Australia way – and it was a hit in Australia! Darin, Elvis Presley and Fats Domino. There really wasn’t any With all the places you’ve travelled to perform – is British music here until The Beatles made it, and that’s when there anywhere else you’d like to travel that you the whole British invasion happened in the United States. haven’t visited yet? You’ve achieved so much over the course of you career Ohhh … let’s see. Been to Japan, Hong Kong, Manila, the – something like 34 Top 40 hits at last count. What was UK … I don’t know. (Laughs). Is there any place other than
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Australia? I’m sure people in other countries might argue their case … but good point! (Laughs). Well, Australia is my second home. We have a football team over here called the Philadelphia Eagles, and there are people [in Australia] – mainly guys – who’ll come and sit in the audience with Eagles paraphernalia like T-shirts and hats on, because they know I’m a big Eagles fan! What are some of the songs you’ll be singing at your upcoming show? I gotta do all the records: Kissin’ Time, Wild One, Forget Him, Good Time Baby, Sway, The Cha Cha Cha. We’ve added some new material, and of course, I do some comedy in the show. One of the things I do – and people love it – is a tribute to Bobby Darin, with 4 of his songs: Splish Splash, Dream Lover, Beyond the Sea and Mack the Knife. Bobby Darrin must have been a bit of an idol for you … Absolutely. He was so talented; it was scary. I knew him very well, and of course, he passed away at a very early age – he was only 37. He had so much to give … You’re obviously looking forward to visiting Australia again. What is it about Australia that you enjoy so much – what keeps you coming back? (Laughs). Oysters Kilpatrick. I love it – I’d have it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I still have a lot of friends down there, the people are absolutely wonderful, the food is fantastic … it’s just one of the greatest places in the world. Thanks Bobby. Have a safe trip over – and all the best for the tour. Interview by Jo Atkins.
the plug! Bobby Rydell will perform at the Glasshouse on March 20 at 8pm. Tickets cost $67 adults, $62 groups 10+, under 18s and concession. Call the Box Office on 6581 8888 or visit www.glasshouse.org.au