Photos by George Capua.
THE WILDWOODS — Bobby Rydell – famous for creating the Wildwoods, NJ anthem – “Wildwood Days” – revisited the place he loves May 23, as the guest of honor at the unveiling of the first in a series of Wildwoods ‘Icon Wall’ Murals.
As part of the ‘unlocking’ the ocean ceremony on the beach at Roberts Avenue, the wall was unveiled at Roberts Avenue and the Boardwalk. Bobby Rydell joined officials as they introduced the giant mural featuring his likeness from the 50s painted on the entire wall of the Monster Truck building.
John Siciliano, executive director for GWTIDA explained, “We could not think of a better person for our first mural than Bobby Rydell, who created the Wildwoods original anthem and helped put the Wildwoods on the worldwide map.”
During the unveiling event, Mayor Ernie Troiano of the City of Wildwood read a resolution that the city commissioners will pass at their next meeting proclaiming Bobby Rydell’s “Wildwood Days” song as the official song of Wildwood; and New Jersey State Assemblyman Sam Fiocchi, First Legislative District (Cape May, Cumberland and Atlantic counties) also presented a proclamation to Bobby Rydell.
The Bobby Rydell Icon Wall Mural is the first in a series of several murals planned throughout the Wildwoods. The Icon Wall Murals will feature key individuals or one-of-a-kind treasures that have significantly contributed to Wildwood’s colorful history and unique culture that has drawn people of all ages for generations.
Peter J. Bieling and his son Peter C. Bieling – the same artists that coordinated ArtBOX on Adventure Pier in the Wildwoods and also painted historical images on the Morey’s carousel and on the new ride, Wave Swinger – were selected as artists for the Bobby Rydell Icon Wall Mural.
The Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority (GWTIDA) conceived and developed the Icon Wall project to beautify selected public spaces while heightening appreciation of how the Wildwoods evolved over the decades into a living, breathing slice of Americana.
In 1963, Rydell added “Wildwood Days” to his collection of musical hits. At only 21 years old, he had already amassed a list of hit songs including “Wild One” (1959) and “Volare” (1960); but “Wildwood Days” made the crowds go wild, sometimes exceeding the reactions he got from his nationally recognized songs. After featuring the song in several concerts and sock hops around the country, the song climbed to No. 17 on the Billboard charts. Rydell’s roots in the Wildwoods, however, run much deeper than the hit song.
Born in Philadelphia, PA, Rydell spent his early summers in Wildwood, where his family owned a house on Montgomery Avenue. Even as his career exploded after starring in ‘Bye Bye Birdie,’ Rydell returned to the Wildwoods as a visitor and a performer.
“Wildwood Days” has enjoyed a renewed wave of popularity since GWTIDA incorporated the song in its advertising campaigns featuring the resort since 2005. The song’s catchy beat and happy-go-lucky lyrics where ‘every day is a holiday, and every night is Saturday night’ have helped to describe what makes the Wildwoods a favorite seaside vacation destination to over nine million visitors each year.
For additional information about the Wildwoods, visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com or call 800-992-9732.
