Bobby Rydell Passed Away: How Old Was Bobby Rydell? Why Did Bobby Rydell Need A Transplant?

Bobby Rydell, a Philadelphia-born singer who became a teenage idol in the late 1950s, was 79 years old at the time of his death.

Bobby died from complications of pneumonia, on Tuesday in Abington, Pa.

With his pleasant voice, stage presence and nice-guy demeanor, Bobby maintained a loyal following on tours even after both he and his original fans were well past retirement age.

Bobby and two other affable performers who became stars in those years, Frankie Avalon and Fabian, grew up within about two blocks of one another in South Philadelphia.

Near death, he had a kidney and liver transplant in July 2012. By that October he was back, singing on a cruise ship with Mr. Avalon. But five months later, he underwent cardiac bypass surgery. Some of his later appearances were charity promotions for organ donation.

By 2014, his schedule was heavy again, including 11 concerts in Australia that February. He continued to perform for the rest of his life.

Why Did Bobby Rydell Need A Transplant?
Doctors at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital say they needed to use part of the donor liver to help Rydell and the other part to help a child.