Byko: Bobby Rydell's top 10 surprising facts
Although I was given extra space for my weekend piece on former teen idol Bobby Rydell, it was impossible to include everything.
One thing that didn't get included was this: 10 surprising facts about Bobby Rydell:
While he had 34 Top 40 hits, he never had a No. 1 hit. His best-charting hit, "Wild One," reached No. 2.
There are two Linda Hoffmans in his life. The first is Linda Ferrino, whose married name is Hoffman. She has been the president of his fan club for half a century. The other is his second wife, whose maiden name was Linda Hoffman.
Although he dropped out of Bishop Neumann H.S. to pursue his career, he has a 1960 diploma and class ring. He requested those in lieu of payment for performing at a Neumann fundraiser.
He is and always was a huge act in Australia where he has toured 22 times.
His first dramatic role was guesting on an episode of the TV series "Combat" in 1964. He was comfortable in uniform because he was in the National Guard at the time.
Paul McCartney said the "yeah, yeah, yeah" in the Beatles' hit, "She Loves You," was modeled after Rydell's call-and-response signature sound, such as heard in "Swingin' School."
He was up for the role in "The Graduate" that went to Dustin Hoffman. Director Mike Nichols felt Bobby's teen idol looks were not right for the character.
In the musical "Grease" Rydell High was a tribute to him.
At 19, he was the youngest star to ever headline New York's Copacabana night club.
Philadelphia's Cameo Records signed him to a contract in 1959 when he was 16.