Jerry Blavat
Jerry Blavat | |
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& WTYM-DB | |
Style | Oldies |
Country | United States |
Website | Official website |
Gerald Joseph Blavat (July 3, 1940 – January 20, 2023), also known as "The Geator with the Heater" and "The Big Boss with the Hot Sauce,"
Early life
Jerry Blavat was born in
Career
In 1953, Blavat debuted on the original
From 1965 to 1967, Blavat produced and hosted a weekly television show in
Alleged Mafia connections
In 1981, Blavat was having dinner at a South Philadelphia restaurant with Philadelphia Greek Mob boss Chelsais "Steve" Bouras, Philadelphia crime family soldier Raymond Martorano, and several other guests when Bouras was shot dead in a contract killing.[14]
In the early 1990s, an investigation by the
Later years
External videos | |
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“Lens Through Time: Jerry Blavat”, August 2, 2012, Philadelphia: The Great Experiment |
In 1993, Blavat was inducted into the Philadelphia Music Alliance's Hall of Fame.
Blavat continued to broadcast on local radio seven days a week and perform at several record hops and events a week in the greater Philadelphia area.
In July 2011, Blavat's autobiography, You Only Rock Once: My Life In Music, was published by Running Press. After its third printing it was released two years later in paperback and as an audiobook in 2014.
Blavat was voted "Best Philly Icon" in a 2018 readers' poll conducted by Philadelphia magazine.
Personal life and death
Blavat had four daughters, Kathi Furia, Geraldine Blavat, Stacy Braglia, and Deserie Downey, plus five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was separated from his wife, Patricia Blavat, since 1972 and was in a long-term relationship with Rosalie (Keely) Stahl since 1989.[19]
Blavat died in hospice at Methodist Hospital in Lower Moyamensing following complications from myasthenia gravis on January 20, 2023, at the age of 82.[20] The City of Philadelphia ordered flags flown at half mast[21] and his funeral service at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul (Philadelphia) was open to the public and attended by thousands. Dionne Warwick delivered the eulogy, citing Jerry as a major influence in launching her career. [22]
See also
- History of the Jews in Philadelphia
- History of the Italian Americans in Philadelphia
References
- ^ a b "Cruisin' 92.1 - W V L T". Wvlt.com. Archived from the original on 2 January 2019. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
- ^ "TESS -- Error". Tmsearch.uspto.gov. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
- ^ "TESS -- Error". Tmsearch.uspto.gov. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
- ^ Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "the Isley Brothers". Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Sep. 2022, https://www.britannica.com/topic/the-Isley-Brothers . Accessed 26 December 2022.
- ^ "The Isley Brothers • Home". The Isley Brothers. Retrieved 2022-12-26.
- ^ Carter, Bobby (August 18, 2021). "The Isley Brothers: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert". NPR.
- ISBN 978-0762442157. Archived from the originalon 2013-12-01. Retrieved 2013-02-15.
- ^ a b DeLuca, Dan. "Jerry Blavat, 'The Geator with the Heater,' dies at 82". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on 22 January 2023.
- ^ "Geator! A Tribute to Jerry Blavat".
- ISBN 978-0762442157. Archived from the originalon 2013-12-01. Retrieved 2013-02-15.
- ^ a b "Lost Nite Album Discography". Archived from the original on 2008-08-02. Retrieved 2008-06-22.
- ^ "Jerry Blavat - Dossier". Archived from the original on 2008-03-29. Retrieved 2008-06-22.
- ^ "CRUISIN' 92.1, WVLT – Jerry Blavat Bio". Archived from the original on 2008-04-23. Retrieved 2008-06-22.
- New York Times.
- New York Times.
- ^ "Archives - Philly.com". Articles.philly.com. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
- ^ "Philadelphia Music Alliance Hall of Fame Bio". Archived from the original on 2011-07-27. Retrieved 2008-06-22.
- ^ "GENERAL INFO & NEWS - the Geator's schedule & more". Archived from the original on 2012-07-24. Retrieved 2012-05-25.
- ^ "Jerry Blavat Finds the Fountain of Youth - Philadelphia Magazine". Phillymag.com. 21 April 2008. Archived from the original on 14 October 2017. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
- ^ "Legendary Philadelphia disc jockey Jerry Blavat dies at 82". 6 ABC. 20 January 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
- ^ "Mayor Kenney Orders City Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Jerry Blavat | Office of the Mayor". 11 July 2023.
- ^ "Thousands attend Celebration of Life for legendary Philly DJ Jerry Blavat". 27 January 2023.