"What I play is music from the heart,
not a research chart."
The Geator
Jerry Blavat, known to millions as "The Geator with the Heator" and "The
Boss with the Hot Sauce", is the man many credit with having invented
the oldies craze. A broadcasting pioneer, Blavat was the
first disc jockey in the early '60s to play music from the '50s.
He took risks, introducing audiences to songs no one else
played, which became local
and national hits all over again.
During a career spanning nearly five decades, Blavat has done it all.
He's been a dancer, a record producer, and nightclub owner. He's
launched television shows, made guest appearances in movies, and was inducted
in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And what drives him first and foremost
is his passion for music and the listeners he's always put first.
Now XPN listeners can enjoy the vast musical knowledge from a legend
who has dedicated his life to helping audiences discover great artists
and songs with The Geator's Rock and Roll, Rhythm & Blues Express.
A Jerry Blavat Time Line
1954 - A fourteen-year-old Jerry debuted on the original
Bandstand on WFIL-TV with Bob Horn and Lee Stewart.
1956 - Managed a national break-out tour for Danny and
the Juniors.
1960 - Got his start in radio when a bet with the owner
of the Venus Lounge coincided with a paralyzing
snowstorm in Philadelphia. Jerry ended up playing
rock 'n' roll
records from his own collection through the night
until his relief came at
6am That same morning, Bud Hibbs, the general
manager of WCAM, asked Jerry to return because
the "phones
haven't
stopped ringing" since he was on the air.
1963 - Syndicated his show in Atlantic City, Trenton, Pottstown,
Wilmington, and Allentown. He was the first DJ in the country
in the early '60s to play music from the '50s.
1965 - Produced a weekly TV show called The Discophonic
Scene, featuring a host who not only looked like the teens, but
also danced with them - Jerry himself.
1970s - Bought a night club in Margate, New Jersey and
named it Memories in keeping with his career.
1993 - Inducted into the Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk
of Fame
1998 - Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
2000 - Named one of Jonathan Takiff's Top Five All-Time
Philly DJs in The Philadelphia Daily News
2002 - Recognized with the U.S. Congressional Horizon Award,
given to "individuals who have contributed to the welfare
of young Americans"
2003 - Inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame
2006 - Launches The Geator Rock 'n' Roll, Rhythm & Blues
Express show Saturdays at 6pm on WXPN.
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