The Remarkable Jerry Blavat Gets A Street Named After Him Tonight
PBS Presents "Love Train: The Sound Of Philadelphia" Premiere Screening
PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 13: Leon Huff, Jerry Blavat, and Kenny Gamble pose for photos at PBS Presents "Love Train: The Sound Of Philadelphia" Premiere Screening November 13, 2008 at the Ritz East in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Part one of a two-part PBS special celebrating the classic Philly soul of Gamble and Huff will premiere on PBS Thanksgiving weekend. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)
Jerry Blavat gets a street named after him, and it happens tonight between 6 and 8pm. “Jerry Blavat Way” becomes official.
The Event
In honor of Philadelphia Icon Jerry Blavat, a portion of Broad Street will be renamed tonight, June 28, 2023. “Jerry Blavat Way” is tribute to beloved radio DJ and performer known as the “Geator with the Heater.” The event is 6pm-8pm and takes place at Broad and South Streets.
Join Mayor Jim Kenney, Councilman Mark Squilla, and Wawa Welcome America while dancing to music spun by DJ Steve Klasko. Previously, Mayor Jim Kenney said on 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.”
The “Geator with the Heater”
Born in South Philadelphia in 1939, his radio career began in the 1950s. 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. Blavat died in January 2023 at the age of 82.
He was a true Philadelphia icon, and because of his contributions to the city’s music scene, he will be remembered for generations to come.
The man was everywhere
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.
Certainly, Jerry Blavat helped shape the sound of the city’s music scene, and he made a lasting impact on the lives of many people. The street renaming is a fitting tribute to his legacy. Jerry Blavat Gets a Street Named After Him. “Jerry Blavat Way” sounds like a wonderful idea.
Some great photos of moments with Jerry Blavat below:
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.