It was my father again who arranged for me to meet Bobby Rydell at the old Steel Pier in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He was performing there in the summer of 1960. I don't recall much back then- I was only 4 1/2, but I still can remember sitting on Bobby's lap, singing "Volarie" with him in his dressing room before the show. Through the coming years I kept the many autographed photos and his personalized scrapbook he gave me that day.Whenever I needed to smile I would often page through the homemade scrapbook, which Bobby's mother had made for him. Imagine he gave it to me! I kept it updated with loving care.
Bobby was a great guy. During the show he dedicated "our" song, "Volarie"
to me as we watched from the audience, among several hundred fans ( mostly teenage girls). This was pre-Beatles, so idols like Bobby and Frankie Avalon were in.
We said goodbye in the dressing room after the show but Bobby would continue to be in my life, even years later.
Here is the reprinted story of that special day, from my father's newsletter at Goodrich:
Bobby Rydell Brings Greg a "Real Dream."
For Gregory Smith, 4 1/2, it was a dream that came true when he met his favorite recording star in a private audience at the Steel Pier in Atlantic City recently. What other fellow his age could boast that he sat, talked and sang with the teenage idol, Bobby Rydell, backstage before and after the show?
The events leading up to this point create a pleasant story of nice people and how they react to offering a helping hand to less fortunates, especially little children.
Greg is the youngest child of Jim Smith from the Maintenance department and he is afflicted with a bone condition which has made him susceptible to fractures since he was 20 months old. he has been in and out of casts about nine times. This condition will persist until until he reaches his teens. During these long periods of convalescing he became an avid viewer of American Bandstand, the TV record and dance show. Here he saw and heard Bobby Rydell, a local Philadelphia boy, perform, and he became Greg;s hero. The little fellow mimicked his voice and style, collected his records and developed one big desire to meet his favorite in person.
His father saw an advertisement announcing that Rydell was making a personal appearance at Steel Pier in Atlantic City, so he wrote to the management asking if it were possible to arrange a meeting so his son could say hello and shake hands with his favorite. A telegram arrived from Mr. Harnid, the owner of the pier, advising Jim to bring Greg to the shore and report to the pier box office.
When Jim, his wife and Greg presented themselves at the box office, they were ushered into the pier manager's office. After introductions, they went directly to Rydell's dressing room. What more could a fellow ask for- and Greg enjoyed every minute of the time, sitting on Rydell's lap, chatting and singing a duet to "Volarie." ,. Rydell's hit record. Greg received a personal scrapbook from his hero and was invited to be the special guest of the singer at his next performance. It was a front row seat for Greg, and a personal dedication of "their song" from the performer to his little friend.
After the show, the family returned again to the star's room and renewed acquaintances for another half hour. Greg went home literally on "Clod Nine," about the most complete day a fellow of 4 1/2 can have. As his father put it, "There are no words to explain how we feel about this fine young boy and the other people involved who took time out to help him."
It goes to show- there are still nice people left in the world.
Several months after we met, Bobby wrote me a hand-written, personal letter, commenting how "sharp" I looked that day in my butterscotch sporty blazer ( I must've wore that jacket everywhere) and signature bow tie. Near the end of the letter Bobby wrote "If I ever had a little brother, I wish he would be just like you."
I saw him in Atlantic City in a show with the Golden Boys ( featuring Bobby, Frankie and Fabian), and in local theaters. But I never got a chance to talk to him or thank him for what he did for me. Maybe someday...
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