Saving Lives with Rock and Roll

Bobby Rydell

On Valentines Day, the organ that most comes to mind is the heart, but the body needs all its organs and you can save lives being an organ donor.

Just ask Rock and Roll legend Bobby Rydell.

Rydell will be the featured performer at a Concert for Organ Donor Awareness held Saturday, March 29 at the Davenport Auditorium at Pottstown High School.

Himself the beneficiary of an organ and kidney transplant in 2012, Rydell promotes organ donation and has a web site dedicated to his efforts and telling his story.

"My life donor saved many lives, myself being just one," he wrote on July 18 while recovering from surgery. "I am alive today because of the value one grieving family placed on life. My hearts go out to them."

The Philadelphia native's hits include "Volare," "Wild One, "Wildwood Days" and more.

Here is a video from his web page in which he sings "Mack the Knife" post surgery.



Last week, organizers appeared before Pottstown Borough Council to promote the concert and Mayor Sharon Thomas issued a declaration making March 29th "Bobby Rydell Organ Donor Awareness Day.

Also appearing at the March 29th concert will be The Duprees and the First Ladies of Rock and Soul.

The Duprees hits include "You Belong to Me," "Take Me As I Am" and "Have You Heard?"

The First Ladies of Rock and Soul perform hits by The Supremes, Martha and the Vandellas, The Ronettes, The Shirelles, The Chiffons, The Crystals and more.

Tickets for the show, arranged by Tom Coyle, are $55 for reserved seats and $45 for general admission.

You can purchase tickets by phone at 610-853-6776 or at 610-306-9361.

You can purchase tickets by mail by sending a check payable to Tom Coyle to P.O. Box 912, Pottstown, PA 19464.

And you can purchase tickets on-line at www.FirstLadiesofRockandSoul.com

The show starts at 6 p.m.

Below is Tout video of Coyle and Lou Ballezzi of Classic Productions Inc. speaking to Borough Council.