They renamed Broad Street between South and Lombard streets in Philadelphia to Jerry Blavat Way on June 28, 2023. The ceremony was at 6pm-8pm. Mayor Jim Kenney, Councilman Mark Squilla, and Wawa Welcome America were there. DJ Steve Klasko spun the tunes.
Jerry Blavat was a legendary Philadelphia DJ and performer. He was known as the “Geator with the Heater” and the “Boss with the Hot Sauce.” He was a pioneer of the Philadelphia soul music scene, and was known for his flamboyant personality and his love of oldies music.
The ceremony was a way to honor Blavat’s legacy and his contributions to Philadelphia music. It was also a chance for his fans to come together and celebrate his life. Quaker String Band was there in full garb with lots of tunes. Check out the video below as it gives you the feel of event. The ceremony is at about the 3:50 mark in the video. Mayor Jim Kenney said, “The only thing he loved more than music was the city of Philadelphia.”
The History of Jerry Blavat
Jerry Blavat was born as Jerry Blavatnick in Chester, Pennsylvania in 1940. He started his radio career in the early 1960s by playing oldies music on WCAM-AM in Camden, New Jersey. His flamboyant personality and love of oldies music quickly made him known.
Blavat’s show on WCAM was a huge success, and he soon moved on to bigger and better things. He hosted a show on WFIL-AM in Philadelphia from 1963 to 1983, and his show was one of the most popular in the city. He was one of the first DJs to play soul music on mainstream radio, and he helped to popularize the genre in Philadelphia and beyond. Blavat was also a successful record producer, and he helped to launch the careers of many legendary artists, including The Delfonics, The Stylistics, and The O’Jays.
Furthermore, in 1998, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted Blavat. The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia’s Hall of Fame also inducted him in 2002. Blavat continued to work in radio until his death in January 2023 at the age of 82.
A True Legend
Blavat was a true legend of Philadelphia radio and music. He was a pioneer of the Philadelphia soul music scene, and he helped to launch the careers of many legendary artists. He was also a flamboyant personality who loved oldies music and knew how to put on a show. Blavat will be remembered as one of the most influential DJs in Philadelphia history.
