Famed Philly singer Bobby Rydell charged with DUI

Lower Merion police have lowered the boom on Bobby Rydell, the onetime teen idol whose 1969 Bentley wreaked a bit of havoc in Narberth last month.

Rydell, 67, was charged with driving under the influence after tests determined his blood-alcohol level was more than double the legal limit when his car jumped a curb and swiped a decorative pole, shrubbery, and a landscape wall outside a yoga salon on Montgomery Avenue.

No one was injured.

Rydell told 6ABC the day after the accident that he had had a "couple of drinks at lunch."

Linda Hoffman Rydell said last month that her husband failed a field-sobriety test after the accident because police asked him to lift his leg.

"He had a hip replacement and he was at the knee doctor that morning," she said. "He can't lift it on a good day."

He was heading to an Acme to pick up potato salad when he tried to pull into the Jai Yoga's driveway to elude a tailgater, but turned too wide, she said.

A summons was mailed to Bobby Rydell and a court date is set for Nov. 19, according to Lower Merion Police Capt. Bill Boegly.

Rydell, whose hits included "Wild One" and "Volare," was also in the 1963 movie Bye Bye Birdie.