The year 1972 became a turning point for Bobby. He made the transition
from “teen idol” to the “highest paid nightclub entertainer” in Canada
and was ready for his debut in Las Vegas. Once there, he was an instant
success! With his degree of professionalism and sheer showmanship he couldn’t
help but impress the audiences and it wasn’t long before he was noticed.
Walter Kane, who was in charge of hiring the entertainment for the Hughes
Hotel chain, signed Bobby to a five year multi-million dollar contract
making him the first Canadian entertainer to receive a long term contract
in Las Vegas. Bobby continued a very successful career in Vegas for more
than twenty years.
In 1975, while in Las Vegas, Bobby asked a wonderful girl by the name
of Ava to marry him. Bobby and Ava just seem to have the magic that makes
a marriage work; they are happily married and have managed to raise two
incredible sons that any parent would be proud to have their daughter date.
Their names are Chris and Michael Curtola.
In 1990 Bobby released his Christmas Flashback CD, which went gold.
He went on that same year to produce his 15 Great Hits CD, on the RCA label.
He also began his relationship with The Princess Cruises, internationally
performing on the Love Boat for the next eight years.
The CD “Turn the Radio Up” was released in 1997 and Bobby continued
performing internationally.
In 1998 Bobby was set for even higher heights in his career; there was
a new perspective and a coming together of events in his life. That spring
he produced his newest CD, 21 Great Hits Vol. VIII, the latest of his eight
volume anthology of hits. The CD features Bobby with Buddy Miles, singing
the classic “Stand By Me,” also produced in video. Bobby sings one
of his favorite songs sung by Selena, “Dreamin’ of You” and he pays tribute
to Elvis with the song “Precious Memories,” which he wrote in memory of
Elvis. Bobby dedicates his rendition of “Pretty Woman” to Roy Orbison
and sings “La Bamba” in memory of Richie Valens. “Detonate The Dance Floor”
a song that Bobby co-wrote with his son Michael, keeps the CD rockin’.
The eight CD booklet package is a pictorial documentation of Bobby’s
career, that spans four decades. The CD collection contains 171 songs that
Bobby has performed and recorded. Witht he intent to summarize the anthology
volumes, a “Limited Collector’s Edition” poster was created in the fall.
Togther with the eight booklets and CDs, the poster was matted and framed,
encapsulating it forever, in effect creating a Bobby Curtola capsule.
Although he has performed continuously, Bobby launched his “Stand By
Me Tour” in Vancouver March 1998, and set out on the road performing coast
to coast to sold out houses once again. After each show, Bobby was there
in his usual form, happy to autograph the tour memorabilia purchased by
the long lines of his fans.
Since 1963, when Bobby became an international success with “Fortune
Teller,” he has maintained his “Star Status” in several countries.
In late 1998 Bobby was in Malaysia and while there he did a Christmas special
on national TV. He also took the opportunity to distribute part of his
new memorabilia, the Limited Collector’s Edition Collage, to the Hard Rock
Cafes throughout Asia.
In January 1999 Bobby returned to Malaysia to tour, an early start on
his Millennium Tour, where he presented his music and merchandise to Asia.
In 2000 Bobby produced the video for Corrina in Bali, Indonesia at one
of the world’s oldest Hindu water temples. This exciting video included
100 local dancers. He also performed at the Hard Rock Hotel in Bali. In
this year Bobby starred in a Rock ‘n’ Roll TV program in Jakarta, Indonesia
which aired weekly on the local major TV network. Towards the end of 2000
Bobby produced a Christmas TV speical in Malaysia on TV3.
Bobby embarked on a European tour in 2001 and visited France, Italy,
Switzerland, and England. Later that year he continued his relationship
with Princess Cruises by doing Caribbean and Mediterranean cruises.
2002 was an exciting year with Bobby starring in Sock Hop Reunions in
Canada and once again impressing his fans with his performances on a Caribbean
cruise.
The 50th Anniversary of Rock ‘n’ Roll will be celebrated in 2004. Watch
for Bobby Curtola to play an important part in this celebration with tours
and special events planned throughout the year.
Being a citizen of the world in the true sense, Bobby has demonstrated
not only a national, but also an international conscience with the donation
of an enormous amount of his time and energy toward the cause of the less
fortunate. He is involved in many charities and hosts numerous telethons
coast to coast in Canada, each year. His global contributions include charitable
works in Indonesia, Bulgaria, the Jerry Lewis M.D. Telethon in the USA
and his Bobby Curtola Foundation for Children in Ecuador.
For his humanitarian efforts within Canada and his major pioneering
contribution to Canadian Pop Music, Bobby Curtola received Canada’s highest
honour “The Order of Canada” on May 7, 1998. For his contributions and
his establishment of his children’s foundation in Ecuador, he was awarded
“The Gold Medal of Merit.”
Bobby has received numerous other awards and has had many accomplishments
over the years.
