BOBBY RYDELL TONIGHT

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29728, 23 January 1962, Page 10

BOBBY RYDELL TONIGHT

Impersonator And Singer

The American entertainer, Bobby Rydell, who will appear in Christchurch at the Civic Theatre tonight and Thursday night, first attracted attention as an impersonator of television personalities when he was nine years >ld. Now aged 19. he has a seven-year movie contract with Columbia Pictures He appears frequently in nightclub shows, on television and makes concert tours He is the son of a musician and his real name is Robert Ridarelli.

After an initial success in a television youth show, he began entertaining in Philadelphia nigh'-clubs Among the actors and stovers he impersonates are Johnnie Ray. Sammy Davis Junior. Red Ske’ton. and Jerry Lewis

When he was 15 years old Bobby Rydell joined a rock 'n' roll group called Rocco and the Saints. He has made a number of recordings which have sold well. The American “pop” singer. Del Shannon, will appear in the same show. The New Zealander, Antoni Williams: the recording group, the Keil Isles; and the two Wellingtonians, Bill and Boyd, who toured with Jimmy Edwards last year, will also appear. Others include the New Zealander, Des Brittain, the trio. The Coachmen: Bob Paris; and Kim Krueger ,