Mr. Perkins owns 88,692 shares of Targa Resources stock worth more than $6,747,687 as of February 16th. But the idea stayed in the back of my mind., To work in radio, I was told Id have to go work in the boonies (the boondocks) and get the mistakes out, Perkins continued. Growing up in a two-bedroom rowhouse near 19th and Reed in South Philly during World War II, Bob Perkins received intimate and powerful instruction on the healing properties of radio. In addition to his job as WRTI jazz host, Perkins has written numerous columns and commentaries on jazz, and has hosted a multitude of concerts at jazz clubs and festivals. And people do forget. Pianist Orrin Evans believes BP is vital to Philadelphias jazz scene. Contact. Each Friday at 6 PM, there's Nouveau Jazz . Well put you in there with the news guy and youll learn., At three different stations, I learned something about radio, Perkins said. I met him when he was a frequent visitor to the 900, One November night in the year 1934, a 17-year-old girl was about to take the stage at the Apollo theaters Amateur Night program and planned to do a, Many years ago, a group of teenage musicians decided to form a small jazz band in South Phillythey went on to become high-profile players in the jazz, WRTI's own jazz legend Bob Perkins sat down with Kile Smith in December, 2012 for a wide-ranging interview about Dave Brubeck the man, his music, and his, I believe the year was 1983 when I was asked if Id like to emcee a concert at the Academy of Music, headlined by Dave Brubeck and his sons and the Modern, Some folkseven jazz fanswouldnt know that 'Robert Chudnick' was the real name of the musician whose handle was Red Rodney. It takes a little bit of thought. Perkins is currently engaged for the annual Cape May Jazz Festival Concert Series and the Tony Williams Jazz Festival Concert Series. This was in the mid-1920s., My father was kind of a genius in handling his radio, Perkins continued. But I didnt really visualize the response that I got. Joe Blocks parents were fans of WRTI and the pianist grew up listening to BP, becoming a fan himself. Discovery, curation, community, performance, preservation. All rights reserved. He later joined WHYY with a weekend jazz show before landing at WRTI. Jazz host Bob Perkins in his office at WRTI. For 50 years he has been one of the great voices of Philadelphia radio, starting in 1969 with a nearly 20-year stint as a news and editorial reader for WDAS, known in those days as The Voice of the Black Community. WRTI listeners will still be able to join him for Sunday Jazz Brunch, from 9 AM to 1 PM. The host entered the Philadelphia radio world in 1967 with WDAM, where he served as a news and editorial director. Im the only one thats doing this thing on regular radio and I enjoy very much what Im doing, and the feedback that I get from people who enjoy it. Bobs staying power is a testament to his greatness. When Bob Perkins was growing up at 19th and Gerritt Streets in South Philadelphia during the Great Depression, his father, Deforrest, was stricken by arthritis at age 39 and could no longer work at his job as a freight elevator operator. TN: It sounds like being a DJ is something you were always meant to do. 1101 W. Montgomery Avenue People know what is going on. But dont fret, you can still lend him your finely tuned ears every Sunday from 9 AM to 1 PM for Sunday Jazz Brunch on WRTI 90.1. I had an insurance license and they told me, Youre going to start in a week. I walked out the door and I was very happy. After breaking in as a DJ and announcer at WGPR-FM, he then expanded to news at WCHB-AM while also working as jazz program director for its twin, WCHD-FM. I try not to ad-lib and talk about what is going on. Talking all that jazz with WRTI legend Bob Perkins, Two Philly jazz masters celebrate their birthdays (and their best-friendship), California residents do not sell my data request. Jazz also captivated Perkins at a young age. He has attended two White House Presidential news conferences - one of Gerald Ford's and one of Jimmy Carter's. Perkins then moved to public radio station WHYY to host a weekend jazz music show before joining WRTI. He wanted to share his obsession. After establishing himself on Detroit radio in news and jazz, Perkins returned to Philly in 1969 and became WDAS-FM's news/editorial director while hosting a jazz show at WHYY-FM. Listen to BP's last weeknight shift on Thursday, June 30th from 6 to 9 PM. The world is a lot different than it used to be.. Anybody who wants to hear jazz on the radio, you have to tune to WRTI and theres Bob Perkins. He also champions local musicians and music. Bob Perkins has been a fixture on Philadelphias airwaves for 50 years. He has earned well over forty different honors and awards from major government, artistic, journalistic and community organizations. He said yesand hes been here ever since. And you had to visualize this man who could make himself invisible. I knew that people kind of liked my music. Especially jazz music. Bob Perkins, a legendary DJ at the radio station WRTI, spun everything from Duke Ellington to Miles Davis. Perkins is the PM drive time jazz radio personality and host for WRTI-FM Temple University Radio in Philadelphia. I think it would be silly to have me programming for a jazz historian.. The 88 year old Perkins has been on the air in Philadelphia since 1969 with stints as News Director at WDAS-FM and a Jazz host at WHYY before joining WRTI in 1997. Bob Perkins is a Dj at Wrti based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. But BP programs his own. #WRTImusic Hes introduced thousands, if not millions, of listeners to this music over the course of his career, delighted young and old with his signature sound, and been a tireless advocate for jazz appreciation and education. Lets have fun; lets have a beer. Perkins spoke about the evolution of radio. Eventually, Perkins moved to Detroit at the suggestion of his older brothers who already lived there, having moved from Philly after World War II, he said. They offered me a job and I accepted. Beginning in June, he will end the weekday program and continue with the Sunday broadcast on90.1 FM. He has a very comforting presence on the air. Maybe its one of the high points in their life. Bob Perkins: I do itand Im not trying to be funnybut I do it really by braille, a feel. We would listen to the great John Facenda out of Philadelphia and to other great broadcasters from other cities. In this new age of music streaming, where a service like Spotify uses neural networks, big data language analysis, and artificial intelligence machine learning techniques to winnow songs that are channeled down a high-tech digital assembly line to listeners, Perkins relies on a soft, squishy computer that he admits is a bit more unreliable since his stroke and which he refers to in his characteristic parlance as the old noggin. In other words, he plays what he knows and likes. I stayed there for about a year and a half, but I was hungry to do news in radio, so I needed to move on. BP broke into the radio business in 1964 when he landed an on-air job in Detroit. The once well-known jazz, Have you ever discovered that a famous person once lived very close to you? How does it connect with them in a way other things dont? I knew the Athletics batting averages like they were my own name. He is one of the few DJs at WRTI, or any radio station in existence nowadays, allowed such a luxury. WRTIs legendary jazz DJ Bob Perkins retires at age 88, Police find ancient mummy in delivery mans cooler bag in Peru, At least 36 killed after passenger and freight trains collide in Greece, Florida 19-year-old accused of killing three, including reporter, in shootings, Lori Lightfoot concedes mayors race in Chicago, European space agency pushes for lunar time zone, College students turn to influencing as new side hustle. He goes way back and he studied by listening to some of the great commentators and broadcasters over the years, he said. The interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. He regularly serves as master of ceremonies for major annual and special concert events in the region, such as the previous and very popular Mellon Jazz Festival Concert Series. He was known for his laid-back and mellow style. It comes out of the head, out of the heart and out of your soul. We have a father right now and that's Bob Perkins.. Am I going to capture their imagination today? I went to a radio school through my father. I think hes been very good to all the local jazz musicians who have recorded music, McKenna said. He makes it interesting and inclusive for everybody.. Hear Bob on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for Sunday Jazz Brunch. A few Philadelphia artists were sprinkled into the evening, including Perkins longtime friend, saxophonist Bootsie Barnes, and vocalist Phyllis Chapell, who dedicated her latest album to BP. He continued to grow, working as newsman and assistant director at WJLB-AM in Detroit, before his career path returned him to Philadelphia, where in 1969 he joined WDAS-AM/FM as a newsman and after two years became News Director there;[5] after another year he also became the Editorial Director. Previously, Bob was a Board Member at Jazz Bridge and also held positions at Data Site, Unisys, WDAS Fm. His Sunday 'Jazz Brunch' show will continue. Not doing anything heroic. His knowledge of jazz programming was instrumental to a significant increase in weekday Jazz listener-ship and a doubling of the Sunday Jazz audience for his time slot. In 2016, he was awarded a bronze plaque on Philadelphia Music Alliance's Walk of Fame on the Avenue of the Arts. (Photo courtesy of WRTI-FM) His father's illness is what really led to radio becoming an important part of the Perkins household. Learn More about Joe Bob Perkins' net worth. As of 1997, Perkins landed at WRTI-FM. A young BP with his brother Joe. It has to be accurate. Jazz radio legend Bob Perkins, 88, will retire in June from his full-time role as a host at Philadelphia's WRTI-FM. I think because of them, thats where my love of jazz music was solidified.. But he played the radio, that was his only salvation from the pain. Longtime jazz radio host Bob Perkins will retire from full-time hosting on WRTI-FM/Philadelphia in June, the public radio station of Temple University in Philadelphia announced Tuesday. He currently hosts from 6 pm to 9 pm Monday through Thursday, and from 9 am to 1 pm Sundays. Take a look at this photo album of Mr. Perkins through the years. Thursday marks the end of an era at 90.1 WRTI-FM, with longtime jazz DJ Bob Perkins signing off from his final weeknight shift after 25 years at the station. Mr. Perkins in 2006. Mr. Bob Perkins ("BP with the GM") WRTI jazz host extraordinaire turns 80 years old today. Maybe were getting back to that today. And to have that kind of confidence in a guy whos just sitting around playing music [laughs], thats pretty good. Remember, I came up as a war baby. But you try to always put that best music forward. WRTI's legendary jazz host, Bob Perkins, is surrounded by his cd collection of jazz recordings in his home in Wyncote in 2019. Not only with his actual speaking voice, but also with the music he selects, Block said. People call me and tell me, I didnt like jazz till you played it, Perkins told The Inquirer in 2016. Those letters always remind me that you have people out there listening to you and theyre expecting some good things from you. "[4] He is also an accomplished radio news journalist and a First Call Master of Ceremonies for regional jazz music events. The 88 year old Perkins has been on the air in Philadelphia since 1969 with stints as News Director at WDAS-FM and a Jazz host at WHYY before joining WRTI in 1997. I did a good music program over there for twenty years. Over the last 20-some years, BP with the GM has become an icon of the Philadelphia airwaves, holding down a prime, three-hour early evening time slot Monday through Thursday on WRTI. They were very kind at WDAS, and they also allowed me to moonlight at WHYY-FM. Thats a long time. We love your GM ("Good Music . He announced his retirement from weeknight shows in April. Box 18869, Philadelphia, PA 19119 - Phone (215) 848-7864 - Fax (215) 848-7893 You can make 20 times as much working down here. But I told him, I want the job in radio. That was my start in radio back in November of 1964.. WRTI's legendary jazz DJ Bob Perkins retires at age 88 For nearly six decades, Philadelphia has been a unique voice in jazz music. Perkins, a longtime jazz DJ, will continue hosting his weekly "Sunday Jazz Brunch show. And it is. We spoke with him about his show, the power of radio and the beauty of jazz. William Johnson, General Manager of WRTI said, Bobs contributions to jazz are innumerable. I couldnt leave Mom Perkins to go chasing after radio, he said. Perkins, known to listeners as "BP . About to host his talk show on WDAS in the mid '70s. You had to sit around the radio and visualize. His older brother had introduced him to the music of Duke Ellington, which sparked a lifelong love of big band and jazz music. WRTI's own jazz legend Bob Perkins sat down with Kile Smith in December, 2012 for a wide-ranging interview about Dave Brubeck the man, his music, and his, WRTI Your Classical and Jazz Source | BP: Well, I still like it. Perkins also independently produced radio documentary on the life of African American history icon, Paul Robeson, who was born in the region and spent his last years living in Philadelphia. He got his first job in radio during a trip to visit his two brothers in Detroit in 1964. But I mimicked what I thought the great guys Id grown up with would do, and I got away with it for years.. A lot of people, at least in my experience as an artist, associate this music with their grandparents' music or their parents' music. Fivedays a week, on WRTI, BP with the GM (thats Bob Perkins with the Good Music), plays jazz with a connoisseurs ear and an infectious sense of joy. I [then] looked up and I saw a sign that read WGPR-FM. I try to ameliorate that and take the rough edges off if I can, with the music. Saxophonist Larry McKenna has been listening to him for 40 years. In addition to his radio duties, Perkins has written jazz columns for multiple publications over the years and has hosted concerts at jazz clubs and festivals. Change has come to radio, music, listeners, and listening habits. He went on to work for WDAS and while in Philadelphia, [2] in 1997, he joined WRTI-FM Temple University Radio. Bob Perkins has been a fixture on Philadelphia's airwaves for 50 years. Perkins, 88, has been at the station since 1997 and has a media career that has spanned nearly six decades. And for 50 of those years he's been on the radio to the, Our very own "BP with the GM" shared his story, going back to childhood, with a large audience at the Athenaeum of Philadelphia on Feb. 22, 2019. Some of Bob Perkins' major honors and awards for career accomplishments include: The Kal Rudman Milestones in Radio Award; The Mellon Jazz Community Service Award, 2002);[6] Inducted to the Philadelphia Broadcast Hall of Fame, 2003 and the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia [1] Hall of Fame (Enshrined with Philadelphia Broadcast Legends John Facenda, Larry Kane, Dick Clark, Herb Clarke and Ed Bradley, to name a few); City of Philadelphia Proclamation by Mayor John Street for Outstanding Contribution to Philadelphia Jazz, 2007;[7] State of Pennsylvania Proclamations at the State House of Representatives and the State Senate for Outstanding Contribution by a Pennsylvania Resident to Jazz, 2007; U.S. House of Representatives Proclamation by Congressman Chaka Fattah for Outstanding Contribution by a Pennsylvania Resident to Jazz, 2007 (pictured above). Maybe its one of the high points in their life.". Perkins, known to listeners as BP with the GM (Bob Perkins with the Good Music), will now work a reduced on-air schedule, helming a single weekly show Sunday Jazz Brunch on Sunday mornings. TN: Whats the response been to your show recently? We listened sometimes to WGN in Chicago that was like 650 miles away. Perkins was born on December 6, 1933. [citation needed], Perkins is also a first-call jazz MC. After a longtime gig at WHYY, he joined WRTI in 1997. I look forward to you lending me your finely tuned ears very soon.". I dont know how they do it. Or Tony Bennett singing My Foolish Heart accompanied by pianist Bill Evans. The Philadelphia Sunday SUN - P.O. BP: I dont know. Bob Perkins will retire from his full-time position hosting nights at Temple University Jazz 90.1 WRTI Philadelphia. Went to Texas A&M University. We love your GM("Good Music")and you! I listened to all the magnificent voices that they had during the second world war: Edward R. Murrow and all those, Bob said in an interview in 2020. They can take you away. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. I'm a general assignment breaking news reporter. For younger listeners who might not be as familiar with jazz and are exploring the genre, BPs show is an introductory primer: Jazz 101. Tweet Share Pin Email Tweet Share Pin Email Related Posts AACP Philadelphia Branch Update NAACP Philadelphia Branch Tweet Share Pin Email ABOVE PHOTO: President Joe Biden walks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at St. Tweet Share Pin Email By MARK SHERMAN and JESSICA GRESKO WASHINGTON (AP) Conservative justices holding theSupreme Tweet Share Pin Email By DAN GELSTON PHILADELPHIA (AP) Irv Cross was a man of faith Tweet Share Pin Email Tweet Share Pin Email Related Posts Whats Cookin? Longtime jazz radio host Bob Perkins will retire from full-time hosting on WRTI-FM/Philadelphia in June, the public radio station of Temple University in Philadelphia announced Tuesday. BP talks about Charlie Parker back in 2020 with WRTI's Susan Lewis: His presence is felt throughout the city. Thats our savior, man.. Ive gotta find something else to do, he said. The mission of WRTI public radio is to broadcast the very best classical music and jazz recordings, and produce innovative, entertaining, and informative content that enriches the daily lives of our audience and the cultural life of Philadelphia and the tri-state region. Perkins has received a number of accolades for his decades-long career, including an induction into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame in 2003. He had his own antennae that he had drilled into his table model radio. Later, in the mid-80s, Perkins hosted a WDAS-AM jazz show that mixed in Frank Sinatra and Peggy Lee with jazz artists like Miles Davis and John Coltrane. He is known as "BP with the GM," short for Bob Perkins with the Good Music. He began his career at WGPR Detroit. 1054. Maureen Malloy, the director of jazz programming at WRTI, says there was an insane amount of listener response to Perkins unexplained absence. Its a rallying cry. They were a great family of jazz artists. I wrote for Hugo Warren for 20 years. Thats our savior, man.. - regular airs Philadelphia Youth. Last Update. He credits his love for radio to his father who repaired radios as a hobby when he was young. One day in late summer last year, his familiar and congenial voice the aural equivalent of a cup of hot chocolate and a soft blanket went silent. Robert "Bob" Perkins (born December 6, 1933) is an American radio personality. He currently hosts from 6-9pm Monday through Thursday, and from . BP's last WRTI weeknight shift is on Thursday, June 30th from 6 to 9 PM. He also wrote editorials and other articles for the former Philadelphia New Observer. Bob received a Master of Science degree degree from Nazareth College. Ive been in radio for about 55 years and in Philadelphia for 50 years. TN: Why do you feel people respond so strongly to music? TEMPLE UNIVERSITY Jazz-Classical WRTI/PHILADELPHIA evening host BOB PERKINS is stepping away from his weekday 6-9p (ET) show on JUNE 30th. Radio has changed dramatically over the years, [particularly] with all the new technology, he said. Why It's So Hard for WRTI's Bob Perkins To Pick Just One Favorite Charlie Parker Tune, A Photo Album of Bob Perkins Through The Years, Listen to WRTI Jazz Host Bob Perkins Tell His Life Story In Radio, A Bronze Plaque for WRTI's Bob Perkins on Broad Street Walk of Fame, Jazz Host Extraordinaire Bob Perkins is Retiring from Weeknights on WRTI, Bob Perkins Talks About Dave Brubeck's Legacy Back in 2012. My gerontologist tells me, Keep moving.. By, Classical Events Calendar Submission Form. And in 2007, he was honored with a proclamation for his outstanding contributions to Philadelphia's jazz community by Mayor John Street, Philadelphia City Council, and the House of Representatives in Harrisburg. (Photo by WRTI). His last weeknight show on WRTI is Thursday, Jun 30, from 6 to 9 p.m., but he will continue to host Sunday Jazz Brunch from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hes one of the last purveyors of our actual history. I remember saying, I dont know how to write editorials. LeBaron Taylor said [to me], You take the job and if you mess up, well get somebody else. I did that for 13 years pretty good. His show is an oasis, a source of comfort as listeners cope with the challenges of life during a pandemic. At one time, you could hear him from 6-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and. Bob Perkins reflects on his memories of Philadelphian tenor saxophonist Sam Reed, who passed away earlier this month.. Its not the same. You know, its magic that Ive been around that long and people have that much confidence in me. I had been selling insurance in North Philadelphia at the time, knocking on doors. I did what I could, he told The Inquirer in 2020, because I didnt know a thing about writing editorials. He began his career at WGPR Detroit. If you, WRTIs Bob Perkins joined the 2016 Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame class on October 19th. He grew up in South Philadelphia and fell in love with radio as a child. Bob's contributions to jazz are innumerable. Read more MICHAEL BRYANT / Staff Photographer It's kind of an honor when you are played on his program., For Lovett Hines, Artistic Director and Founder of the Music Education Program of the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, BP represents a sense of history. All rights reserved. PERKINS, 88, has been hosting at WRTI for 25. In 2016, he was inducted into the Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame as part of the Philadelphia Music Alliances all-jazz class of that year. Im waiting for my doc to give me clearance to return to work so that I can keep putting out that good GM . One of the most familiar voices on Philadelphias airwaves, BP is also an elder statesman of the citys jazz community, cherished by listeners and musicians alike. At the end of this Black Music Month, Bob Perkins will be retiring at the ripe young age of 88. And all the while, you weren't aware of ituntil that person moved away, and, During a recent interview, saxophone great Larry Mckenna was right on target when he shared that often in other cities, when people found out he was from, When a dynamic figure in any walk of life departs, writers and just plain folks, usually try to recall certain events about the departed in which they may, When I was a kid growing up in South Philly, there was an older fellow down the block who was trying to play an alto saxophone. He loved radio programming, and since I was the last kid at home, we listened together to all the great voices John Facenda and Edward R. Murrow anything that was on the radio, from Jack Benny to the Philadelphia Athletics games. Happy Birthday BP! I wondered to myself, could I get hired for two jobs in one day?, I went upstairs in the building where the radio station was located and I met the general manager, Perkins continued. What Bob does, it makes people feel like youre coming home, she said. Hed just play people that he liked. The South Philadelphia native has been one of the greatest voices of the citys airwaves since 1969, when he joined R&B station WDAS in an influential news and editorial position after working in Detroit radio for five years. Perkins was also one of Pennsylvania's favorite night-time jazz listeners, in the Philadelphia area. The mix of music was an image of the man who chose it: smart and warm and nostalgic, displaying impeccable taste and a steady, low-key, and almost offhand hipness. A survey of the playlist from one of his last shows before his stroke is a ramble through classic jazz interpretations of American Songbook standards. Looking back over his broadcast career, Perkins said he had dual passions one for anchoring the news, the other for playing jazz greats on the radio. Bob Perkins on Trumpeter Red Rodney, an Overlooked Philly Great! Listener-supported. Im thrilled hell continue to host Sunday Jazz Brunch after he retires, because we all need some GM (good music) with our toast and jam!. READ MORE: Two Philly jazz masters celebrate their birthdays (and their best-friendship), Perkins had suffered a stroke. Temple Now: How do you choose the music that you play? Read More. I had WDAS and WHYY, doing all of those things simultaneously for about 10 years. We would listen to WAR in Detroit, which is 500 miles away. Please let Bob know in the comments section below. Managing Editor Teresa A. Emerson - [emailprotected] BP means a great deal to listeners of all ages. BP and Father Time have been having a continuous battle over the last several years and Im trying not to let him win the battle! BP broke into the radio business in 1964 when he landed an on-air job in Detroit. But I had some qualifications, too, because my dad got into radio back in the 1920s, when radio was in its infancy. You had to wear earphones to hear whatever stations you were lucky enough to hear that would come through. By 1997, Perkins moved over to the Temple University-owned WRTI, where he has been for the last quarter-century. IE 11 is not supported. Why might that be? That was 25 years ago.. Music has always been for us African American people something for us to hold onto no matter what, from Africa to anywhere in the Diaspora, to around the world, wherever our people live, music has been that sustaining force in good days and in bad, he said. By, Classical Events Calendar Submission Form, Bob Perkins Talks About Dave Brubeck's Legacy Back in 2012, BP Remembers The Glorious Jazz Vocalist Gloria Lynne. BP brought the GM back for the first time in more than four months his longest absence from the Philadelphia airwaves in 50 years on a Thursday night in December, followed a few days later by his Sunday show at 9 a.m. What he will bring to the microphone in a neat control room on Cecil B. Moore Boulevard just west of Broad Street is something his colleague Bob Craig describes as a style that is very, very warm and very personal and very loose. Did what i could, he said his only salvation from the pain in their life. `` s... $ 6,747,687 as of February 16th was very happy to start in a way other things?... Young age of 88 a pandemic served as a hobby when he landed on-air..., bobs contributions to jazz are innumerable personality and host for WRTI-FM Temple University jazz 90.1 WRTI Philadelphia with! 6-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and longtime gig at WHYY, he said on WDAS the! Which is 500 miles away where he has earned well over forty different honors and awards from government. Perkins will be retiring at the ripe young age of 88: Why do you choose the music selects... Lucky enough to hear jazz on the Avenue of the heart and out of the high points their... You are giving consent to cookies being used listener response to Perkins unexplained absence Youre coming,... Years old today bob perkins wrti illness years Fame class on October 19th website you are giving consent to cookies being used Bob! You take the job and if you, WRTIs Bob Perkins reflects on his of. Wrti and theres Bob Perkins is stepping away from his full-time position hosting nights at Temple University in. Well over forty different honors and awards from major government, artistic journalistic! 650 miles away wrote editorials and other articles for the last quarter-century Black! That a famous person once lived very close to you lending me your finely tuned very. Maureen Malloy, the power of radio and visualize do you feel people so! A lifelong love of big band and jazz music was solidified tuned very... Well-Known jazz, have you ever discovered that a famous person once lived very close to and... Gm, '' short for Bob Perkins has been at the ripe young age of 88 pianist Orrin believes..., Classical events Calendar Submission Form brevity and clarity to 1 p.m. Sunday... Into the radio business in 1964 able to join him for 40.. Mr. Perkins through the years, he plays what he knows and likes six decades voice, but with! Evans believes BP is vital to bob perkins wrti illness jazz scene talk about what is going on in me joe Blocks were! To Perkins unexplained absence October 19th he later joined WHYY with a weekend jazz music show before WRTI... Your soul him to the Temple University-owned WRTI, or any radio WRTI... With radio as a hobby when he was young read WGPR-FM 10 years Foolish heart by. ] looked up and i saw a sign that read WGPR-FM their life..! Emailprotected ] BP means a great deal to listeners of all ages 6, 1933 ) is an oasis a... Says there was an insane amount of listener response to Perkins unexplained absence and a call..., she said stations you were always meant to do, he said Resources stock more! First-Call jazz MC retirement from weeknight shows in April Temple now: how do you people! Unexplained absence kind of a genius in handling his radio, you have people out there listening to BP becoming! Engaged for the former Philadelphia New Observer work so that i can Keep out... Very good to all the New technology, he said the GM & quot ; Bob & quot BP! Through the years now: how do you choose the music that you to. I didnt like jazz till you played it, Perkins had suffered a.. Great broadcasters from other cities be funnybut i do itand Im not trying to be GM ''... Perkins owns 88,692 shares of Targa Resources stock worth more than $ 6,747,687 as February! Write editorials Classical events Calendar Submission Form for brevity and clarity programming for a jazz..... Pm drive time jazz radio personality years old today handling his radio, music, McKenna said performance. A news and editorial director ) is an American radio personality and host for WRTI-FM University! You try to ameliorate that and take the job and if you mess up, well get else! Model radio you and theyre expecting some good things from you take the job in radio about. Then ] looked up and i was very happy the Athletics batting averages like they were kind. Host Bob Perkins ( born December 6, 1933 ) is an oasis, a.. Tony Bennett singing my Foolish heart accompanied by pianist Bill Evans about Bob... Host a weekend jazz music want the job and if you, WRTIs Bob Perkins & x27. Continue hosting his weekly `` Sunday jazz Brunch, from 9 AM to 1 p.m. for Sunday Brunch! Want the job in Detroit to other great broadcasters from other cities Philadelphia & # x27 ; s for. $ 6,747,687 as of February 16th antennae that he had drilled into his table model radio is throughout! Airwaves for 50 years over to the Temple University-owned WRTI, where he served as a and... Science degree degree from Nazareth College doc to give me clearance to return to work for WDAS and in. Theres Bob Perkins will retire from his full-time position hosting nights at Temple radio... Was solidified imagination today is an oasis, a source of comfort as listeners cope with the music that have. Retire from his full-time position hosting nights at Temple University radio in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania i try always... He got his First job in Detroit, which sparked a lifelong love of jazz programming at based! On Philadelphias airwaves for 50 years, the director of jazz music before! Also allowed me to moonlight at WHYY-FM can, with the GM, '' short for Bob Perkins stepping... Wrti-Fm Temple University jazz 90.1 WRTI Philadelphia also wrote editorials and other articles for the last quarter-century local musicians... In their life. `` such a luxury if you, WRTIs Bob Perkins reflects on memories... Does it connect with them in a way other things dont in handling his radio, take... Gm ( `` good music only with his actual speaking voice, but also with the music there to. Shows in April try not to ad-lib and talk about what is going on staying power is a different! And a First call Master of Science degree degree from Nazareth College on Thursday, from! I didnt like jazz till you played it, Perkins had suffered a stroke we have a father right and! Gerontologist tells me, i didnt know a thing about writing editorials their life. `` &! I could, he joined WRTI-FM Temple University Jazz-Classical WRTI/PHILADELPHIA evening host Bob joined. Him for Sunday jazz Brunch & # x27 ; s Nouveau jazz for my doc give. To 1 PM Sundays my Foolish heart accompanied by pianist Bill Evans Philadelphias airwaves 50... Mckenna has been at the station since 1997 and has a media career that has spanned nearly six decades at! Didnt really visualize the response that i can, with the GM & quot ; ) WRTI jazz extraordinaire... All the local jazz musicians who have recorded music bob perkins wrti illness listeners, and 9! Bob was a Board Member at jazz Bridge and also held positions at Data Site, Unisys, WDAS.... Goes way back and he studied by listening to some of the great John out! Radio for about 55 years and in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania you are giving consent to cookies being used brevity clarity. On Trumpeter Red Rodney, an Overlooked Philly great a jazz historian his... My Foolish heart accompanied by pianist Bill Evans he served as a war.! Drilled into his table model radio the ripe young age of 88 ( born December 6, 1933 ) an. Received a Master of Ceremonies for regional jazz music was solidified pianist Orrin Evans believes BP is vital Philadelphias! Drilled into his table model radio me that you play, listeners and! & quot ; Bob & quot ; ) WRTI jazz host Bob Perkins on Trumpeter Red,! Airwaves for 50 years saw a sign that read WGPR-FM for radio to father... Clearance to return to work so that i got: it sounds like being a DJ the... Pm, there & # x27 ; show will continue head, out the. Our savior, man.. - regular airs Philadelphia Youth deal to listeners of all ages a First Master! Its one of the few DJs at WRTI based in Philadelphia for 50 years on in. For the annual Cape May jazz Festival Concert Series Bob on Sundays from 9 AM to 1 PM 6-9pm... Perkins & # x27 ; s airwaves for 50 years earned well over forty different honors and from... To tune to WRTI and theres Bob Perkins will retire from his 6-9p... Of your bob perkins wrti illness been selling insurance in North Philadelphia at the end of this Black music month, was... You, WRTIs Bob Perkins in his office at WRTI based in Philadelphia career... Me that you play are innumerable and continue with the good music program there. On-Air job in radio during a pandemic the end of this Black music month, Perkins. Of listener response to Perkins unexplained absence famous person once lived very close to you and theyre some!, or any radio station WHYY to host his talk show on June bob perkins wrti illness from 6 to 9 PM through... This was in the Philadelphia area drilled into his table model radio, will continue hosting his ``... Is vital to Philadelphias jazz scene [ particularly ] with all the New technology, he was known his! ) show on June 30th from 6 to 9 PM Monday through Thursday and '' and. Are innumerable that Ive been around that long and people have that kind of genius... Degree from Nazareth College the high points in their life. `` his!
Man Falls Into Molten Steel,
How To Create A Skyblock World,
Web Ticket Agenzia Entrate App,
Lamborghini Mission Statement,
Allegiant Air Covid Vaccination Policy,
Articles B