Honoring Jerry Blavat As A Street Is Named After Him
In honor of Philadelphia Icon Jerry Blavat, a portion of Broad Street will be renamed.
On June 28, 2023, a street in South Philadelphia will officially be renamed “Jerry Blavat Way” in honor of the beloved radio DJ and performer known as the “Geator with the Heater.” The event is 6pm-8pm.
Join Mayor Jim Kenney, Councilman Mark Squilla and Wawa Welcome America and dance to music spun by DJ Steve Klasko. Previously, Mayor Jim Kenney said on Very sad to learn of Jerry Blavat’s passing today. “The Geator with the Heater” was a Philadelphia legend, a one-of-a-kind entertainer, and a dear friend. I will miss him terribly. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/qj4z3GDaBW
— Mayor Cherelle L. Parker (@PhillyMayor) January 20, 2023?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">twitter when Blavat passed, “The Geator with the Heater” was a Philadelphia legend, a one-of-a-kind entertainer, and a dear friend. I will miss him terribly. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
Born in South Philadelphia in 1939, his radio career began in the 1950s, and his show on WDAS-FM became one of the most popular in the city. Blavat was known for his passion for music, especially R&B and soul. He helped to introduce many new artists to the city, including Chubby Checker, The Dovells, and The Delfonics.
The “Geator with the Heater” was inducted into the Philadelphia Music Alliance’s Hall of Fame in 1993. He died in January 2023 at the age of 82.
The street renaming is a fitting tribute to Jerry Blavat’s legacy. He was a true Philadelphia icon, and his contributions to the city’s music scene will be remembered for generations to come.
Unquestionably, the man was everywhere, and his life and career touched so many lives. Blavat was a lifelong resident of South Philadelphia. He attended South Philadelphia High School and Temple University. He began his radio career in 1954 at WDAS-FM and hosted his own show on WDAS-FM from 1963 to 1999.
Because Jerry Blavat helped shape the sound of the city’s music scene, he made a lasting impact on the lives of many people. The street renaming is a fitting tribute to his legacy. “Jerry Blavat Way” sounds like a wonderful idea.
Remembering The Geator Jerry Blavat
The Geator with the Heater, The Big Boss with the Hot Sauce, The Man with the Plan & the Pots and Pans, legendary disc jockey Jerry Blavat has passed on to the great sock-hop in the sky at the age of 82. He passed away at 3:45am Friday morning in hospice at Jefferson-Methodist Hospital from the effects of myasthenia gravis and other related health issues.
The Geator, a Philadelphia icon, was always on in my house growing up in Delco. My dad was a huge fan of his going back to the early Bandstand days. We must have watched ‘The In Crowd’ a dozen times or more on VHS, and always stopped to watch it no matter where it landed in the movie, when it was on TV. I was so jealous that Blavat got to appear in an episode of The Monkees too – love that show! Though we never made it to Memories in Margate, NJ, we’d listen to his dance party radio shows as a family whenever we had the chance.
I was fortunate enough to chat with The Geator for a few minutes about a decade, or so, ago at Preston & Steve’s Campout for Hunger. And like all the other tribute posts you are reading about Jerry; he couldn’t have been any nicer. The picture of Pierre, The Geator & me is one of my all-time favorite pictures ever!!
In 1993, Blavat was inducted into the Philadelphia Music Alliance Hall of Fame – In 1998, he was included in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as part of an exhibit in the Museum of Radio and Records and in 2002, inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame. A true legend that has brought music, dancing, and fun to the masses for decades and over generations. He represented what was great about music and life in Philadelphia and will truly be missed by so many.
We salute you Jerry Blavat – on this, National DJ Day – you were one of the very best to ever do what you do and Philadelphia, the Jersey Shore and the entire tri-state area will miss you greatly! -bp
Sources: Welcome America and Wikipedia.
The JACKY BAMBAM SHOW is on 93.3 WMMR Weeknights 7p-12a playing the coolest songs ever made with many features for true music lovers. Jacky is a big supporter of The Philadelphia Mummers and is a Seven Time First Prize Award Winning Hall Of Fame Mummer. Before he took over the microphone, he was a drummer who released 2 albums and toured all over the world.
