R.I.P.: Jerry Blavat, Philly Radio's 'Geator With The Heater'

Jerry Blavat (1940-2023)

Jerry Blavat, the self-proclaimed “Geator with the Heater” and the “Boss with the Hot Sauce” for his 70-year career as a disc jockey and entertainer in Philadelphia, has died, according to our news partner NBC10. He was 82, reports The Philly Business Journal.

6ABC, which was first to report the news, said Blavat died at 3:45 a.m. Friday at hospice at Jefferson-Methodist Hospital from the effects of myasthenia gravis and related health issues.

Health issues forced Blavat to cancel an annual performance at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts this month. On Jan. 10, he posted a message on his website saying this year's show planned for Jan. 28 was canceled due to issues he described as being related to “torn shoulders” that had plagued him since Labor Day weekend.

“After getting all kinds of evaluations, it turns out it is more than the shoulders, it is a nerve and muscular issue,” Blavat said. “Recently I have been getting medical attention and the most modern therapies available for this condition, which is not life threatening. But because of the treatments, my doctors have advised me to cut down on my schedule for the time being.”

Blavat was born July 3, 1940 and raised in South Philadelphia. According to a biography in the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia website, he began his show business career at the age of 13 when he debuted as a dancer on the Original Bandstand hosted by Bob Horn. A few years later, at the age of 16, he became the road manager for Philadelphia doo-wop legends Danny and the Juniors. In the late 1950s, he served as valet for comedy legend Don Rickles. He also reportedly became close friends with Sammy Davis Jr., serving as best man at the legendary entertainer's wedding to his third wife.

In 1960, he started his own radio talk show on WCAM-AM in Camden. Legend has it that one winter evening he pulled out a stack of records and began entertaining listeners, beginning to take on his “Geator” moniker. He continued to grow his audience but used the platform to promote his live appearances that wound up being a larger source of money.

In 1965, he produced and hosted his own TV show "The Discophonic Scene" on Channel 10 (WCAU-TT), then a CBS affiliate. From 1967-70, the show aired on WFIL-TV, then the call letters for Channel 6, and was syndicated to 40 markets across the U.S.

According to his Broadcast Pioneers bio, Blavat steered clear of the British Invasion music as he did not like format radio. “It had been hell during the Beatles reign, when there had been much pressure to get on the bandwagon,” he said. “But I sensed that it just didn't have enough soul for my kids. ... So I finally gave in and played a few, and I got bombarded by phone calls saying 'Geator, what you doing, man?'”

Blavat guest-starred on television shows over the years including "The Mod Squad," "The Monkees," "The Tonight Show," and "The Joey Bishop Show." He appeared in the movies "Desperately Seeking Susan," "Baby It's You," and "Cookie." And he could regularly be seen on doo-wop specials on public television.

When WCAU radio adopted an oldies format in 1972, Blavat was one of its first on-air personalities. He moved on to WFIL in 1983 with a weekly show and then to WPGR “Philly Gold Radio” in 1987. It became “Geator Gold Radio” in April of 1992 when Blavat purchased the station.

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In 1972, Blavat purchased a nightclub in Margate and named it Memories. He continued to broadcast on local radio and perform at live events.

In 1993, Blavat was inducted into the Philadelphia Music Alliance's Hall of Fame. In 1998, he was included in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as part of a permanent exhibit in its Museum of Radio and Records. In 2002, he was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia's Hall of Fame.