Philly Radio: The Geator With The Heater Is Still Rockin'

Iconic rock ’n’ roll disc jockey Jerry Blavat, a legend on Philadelphia radio for decades, is still going strong, reaching music fans on WXPN 88.5 FM in Philadelphia.

Born in 1940 to a Jewish father and Italian mother in South Philadelphia, Blavat debuted as a dancer on the original “Bandstand” TV show hosted by Bob Horn in 1953. Two years later, at the age of 16, he became the road manager for Danny & the Juniors. Blavat was once comedian Don Rickles' personal valet and remain friends until this day. 

 Blavat began in radio on WCAM in 1960.

His book includes stories about everyone from actress Joan Crawford to actor Charlton Heston, and details his friendships with such superstar performers as Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra.

In the book, Blavat frankly discusses his relationship with the late Philadelphia mob boss Angela Bruno, which caused the DJ to end up on the FBI’s radar screen.

Jerry Blavat

In the early 1990s, an investigation by the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation into organized crime's influence in the liquor business made public Blavat's association with the Bruno-Scarfo crime family. During the investigation, Thomas A. DelGiorno, a former Scarfo family capo, testified that Blavat had regularly paid a "street tax" to the crime family, had purchased a $40,000 yacht for crime boss Nicodemo Scarfo and was one of several individuals who purchased a condominium in Florida for Scarfo. In exchange, the criminal organization secured employment for Blavat throughout the state and also kept union organizers out of Blavat's nightclub. Del Giorno also testified that Blavat regularly served as a driver for crime boss Angelo Bruno. Blavat pled the fifth.

In 1993, he was inducted into the Philadelphia Music Alliance’s Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as part of a permanent exhibit in its Museum of Radio and Records.

In addition to his gig on WXPN (which also airs on 3 other non-coms), he hosts a daily two hour show that airs on stations in PA and NJ. He also hosts and produces two oldies concerts each year at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. The next one is “A Doo Wop Reunion” on April 19.