Nostalgia reigns with Avalon, Fabian, Rydell

Joe Delaney

Friday, June 5, 1998 | 4:28 a.m.

Producer Dick Fox's "Golden Boys" -- Frankie Avalon, Fabian and Bobby Rydell -- were enjoyed by a capacity assemblage Thursday in the Orleans Hotel's showroom. All three have been successful in all of the entertainment media. They grew up together in South Philadelphia and share their lives, songs and careers with the audience.

The tightly scripted, fast-moving 90 minute program ran 15 minutes longer, thanks to a responsive crowd, eager to participate. There was a film opening with American Bandstand shots from the 1950s and '60s. All three came out, shared some banter, then had Bobby Rydell introduce himself.

There is a lot of the late Bobby Darin in Rydell, including a well-developed sense of humor with timing to match. His "Bye Bye Birdie" film medley was a performance highlight, one of several.

Fabian had the second slot. A teen-age icon who never took himself seriously, has fun onstage -- a few self put-downs plus a lot of uptempo rockers. His tribute to Chubby Checker and The Twist filled the stage with audience members, still limber in their 50's and 60's with one standout: an 83-year-old claiming to be a "Sun City dancer."

Frankie Avalon, father of eight (four boys, four girls) with the same wife, sang his hits, added some "Beach Blanket" film footage, sang a rock 'n' roll medley, strolling through the audience, then brought down the house with a number featuring sons Frank, on drums, and Tony on guitar.

Tributes to Rick Nelson (Avalon), Elvis (Fabian), Bobby Darin (Rydell) and Bill Haley (all three) had the audience standing in appreciation once again.

JOE DELANEY is a Sun entertainment critic.

archive