Ann-Margret Releases New Album at 81 Amid ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ 60th Anniversary

Bye Bye Birdie is an iconic musical that truly has lasted the test of time. It started out as a book turned musical turned movie, which premiered in 1963 and starred Janet Leigh, Dick Van Dyke, Ann-Margret, Bobby Rydell, and Ed Sullivan. Inspired by the life of Elvis Presley, Elvis was originally going to star as teen idol Conrad Birdie but his manager Colonel Tom Parker did not want him to play a parody of himself. So, Bobby was cast instead. This movie was the launch of a long career for Ann-Margret, who is still making music at 81 years old.

Ann-Margret’s first album in over a decade is coming out this month and will feature collaborations with stars such as Pete Townshend, Pat Boone, Paul Shaffer and Linda Gail Lewis. The album — Born To Be Wild — drops on April 14, 2023, and features new recordings of Ann-Margret’s favorite songs from the ’50s through the ’70s… truly a nostalgic treat. The album features songs such as “Son Of A Preacher Man” and “Why Do Fools Fall In Love.”