Bobby Curtola

Inducted in 2019

With his boy-next-door looks and smooth vocal style, Bobby Curtola had all the perfect qualities to win over fans at the dawn of the Sixties. Beginning with “Hand in Hand with You” at the tender age of 16, the fresh-faced, cardigan-wearing singer scored a string of pop hits and became Canada’s first teen idol. But Curtola didn’t stop there. A charismatic entertainer, he took his talent coast to coast and then to Las Vegas, Nevada, rubbing shoulders with Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra, and ultimately continued performing into his 70s.

Career Highlights

2012

Receives the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, Government of Canada

2011

Receives a star on the Italian Walk of Fame in Toronto

2002

Receives the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, Government of Canada

1998

Made a member of the Order of Canada

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1973

Curtola hosts Shake, Rock and Roll on CTV

1966

Wins the RPM Gold Leaf Award for Best Male Vocalist

1962

Releases the hit song “Fortune Teller”, which sold more than two million copies worldwide.

1960

Scores a string of Top 10 Canadian hits with “Don’t You Sweetheart Me,” “I’ll Never Be Alone Again,” and “Hitchhiker.”

Photos

Quick Fact

Bobby Curtola achieved 25 Canadian gold singles and 12 Canadian gold albums.

Video Background

Videos

Quick Fact

Bobby performs “Three Rows Over” on Day by Day, hosted by Terry Lynne Meyer (on CFRN Edmonton).