The Golden Boys from S. Philly: Fabian (L), Frankie Avalon (C) and Bobby Rydell (R)
By Paul Goldfinger
On August 4, the Golden Boys (Bobby Rydell, Frankie Avalon and Fabian) are scheduled to appear in the Great Auditorium. Unfortunately, Bobby Rydell is very ill, having had liver and kidney transplant surgery two days ago.
Taking his place will be Lou Christie. Mr. Christie is 69 years old and had some hits back in the ’60′s including “Lightnin’ Strikes,” “The Gypsy Cried,” and “Two Faces Have I.” He is especially well known for his vocal range including a falsetto that has been compared to Frankie Valli’s. He has played as part of the Golden Boys show in Atlantic City, so this change should not be significant. 
This is the second GA show to have issues. Johnny Mathis was cancelled for August 11 due to his hip surgery. Ironically, Lou Christie’s big hit is “Lightnin’ Strikes” and it certainly has done so again for the August shows in the GA.
Here is Lou Christie :
Perhaps it is time for OGCMA to reconsider who they choose to perform at the auditorium. Sorry to say but maybe they should avoid older and not in the best of health performers. Eventually and sooner than you think the audience for these performers will dwindle anyway. Maybe it is time to get younger, fresher, more “hip” acts.
Amen to that, Frank S.
When I heard the news about Bobby Rydell, I called OGCMA to say that I wanted a refund and they refused, saying that they got a replacement. I didn’t pay good money to see Loui Christie as part of the act – I paid to see the original Golden Boys, so this will probably be the last time I buy tickets to a show at Ocean Grove. Very disappointed!!!!
I just saw the Golden Boys minus Bobbie at Mohegan Sun. Although I was very disappointed not to see him, in my opinion, Lou was the great . . . the best of the three on stage tonight.