He has a very comforting presence on the air. TN: Whats the response been to your show recently? But I mimicked what I thought the great guys Id grown up with would do, and I got away with it for years.. He is one of the few DJs at WRTI, or any radio station in existence nowadays, allowed such a luxury. About to host his talk show on WDAS in the mid '70s. Saxophonist Larry McKenna has been listening to him for 40 years. Since his Bloomberg profile states that he has gone to both . A mainstay of the jazz music and radio community, Perkins has been on-air at WRTI since 1997. NPR news updates every hour. What makes Bob so incredibly important to our music history and the history of Philadelphia is: he was there. He's 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," said WRTI general manager William Johnson. Bob Perkins reflects on his memories of Philadelphian tenor saxophonist Sam Reed, who passed away earlier this month.. 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. This was in the mid-1920s., My father was kind of a genius in handling his radio, Perkins continued. 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. I program most of the music on the station, said Maureen Malloy. The once well-known jazz, Have you ever discovered that a famous person once lived very close to you? Here's a great in-depth article about Bob from the Chestnut Hill Local. I was a war baby. Maybe its one of the high points in their life. TN: People staying at home have been listening more to the radio and less to streaming services. For nearly six decades, Philadelphia has been a unique voice in jazz music. 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. In 1969, his hometown of Philadelphia beckoned him back with a gig at rhythm-and-blues station WDAS, where he worked for the next 19 years. My mom would let me stay up on the weekends and sometimes we would pick up stations in other states. After 58 years of working in broadcast radio, Philadelphias Bob Perkins will lay down his microphone by the end of this month. Its not the same. You know, its magic that Ive been around that long and people have that much confidence in me. But he played the radio, that was his only salvation from the pain. Particularly for older listeners, he gives them the comfort of something familiar, and makes them remember that this music that he's playing was the soundtrack to a lot of their lives. The music Perkins plays can summon Proustian recollections of a first kiss, a dance at the Savoy Ballroom or a joyful reunion after a long absence. When WHYY dropped its music programming to concentrate on news and information, Perkins moved uptown. The interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. Bell Building 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. Twitter: @WRTImusic Language: English Contact: This net worth approximation does not reflect any other investments that Mr. Perkins may own. I enjoy it. Which is a hard thing to do. Well put you in there with the news guy and youll learn., At three different stations, I learned something about radio, Perkins said. 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. But at age 88, Perkins is signing off passing the ball to the next era of jazz lovers. BP broke into radio in Detroit on WGPR/WCHB/WCHD in 1964. His stories are not secondhand.. Hed just play people that he liked. announced his retirement from weeknight shows in April, California residents do not sell my data request. 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. Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. 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. Perkins, known to listeners as "BP . In 1988, big changes came to WDAS, and I was amongst the first of the old group of employees to be let go, he continued. BP: Well, I still like it. Over the years, he met the likes of President Jimmy Carter and touched the lives of everyday listeners and renowned musicians. It takes a little bit of thought. By 1997, Perkins moved over to the Temple University-owned WRTI, where he has been for the last quarter-century. His show appeals to me in that way. BP: Yes, it really did. Beginning in June, he will end the weekday program and continue with the Sunday broadcast on, Fans mourn death of legendary Philly radio host Sid Mark, Questlove, The Balvenie award first scholarship for PhD in Creativity at University of the Arts, Philadelphia Film Society to host series of family-friendly movie screenings, Eagles name Alex Tanney QB coach, plus other coaching staff updates, The food you eat impacts the health of your eyes, Construction of Penn's Landing park over I-95 finally approved to begin, PennDOT says, Joanna McClinton becomes first woman elected as speaker of Pa. House, Rocco's Italian Sausage, a cult favorite at Home Depot stores in Philly, to expand in Bucks County, Low-calorie sweetener tied to higher risk of heart attack and stroke, study finds. He said yesand hes been here ever since. Liked by Joe Bob Perkins. Contact. In turn, news reporters from WDAS would report via radio, in Detroit, about what was happening of importance in the city of Philadelphia., The management team at WDAS liked my work very much, and one day they asked me the question, Do you want to come home and work in Philadelphia radio? BP broke into the radio business in 1964 when he landed an on-air job in Detroit. It has to be accurate. Bob Perkins has been instrumental in establishing WRTI as one of the premier jazz stations in the country since 1997. Perkins credits his father for being the one who gave him the love for radio. Thanks! He had his own antennae that he had drilled into his table model radio. During his short life, he became one of the, Mr. Bob Perkins ("BP with the GM") WRTI jazz host extraordinaire turns 80 years old today. Please remove or replace such wording and instead of making proclamations about a subject's importance, use facts and attribution to demonstrate that importance. Happy Birthday BP! He could pick up stations that no one else that I knew could get. 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. Change has come to radio, music, listeners, and listening habits. 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. BP: It seems that way. You dont know whos listening, how many people: could be one, could be 10,000. Targa Resources 20 years . PERKINS, 88, has been hosting at WRTI for 25. Bob Perkins' first radio gig at WGPR-FM in Detroit, 1964, 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, A true jazz legend - vocalist Gloria Lynne - passed away on October 15th in Newark, New Jersey of a heart attack. Jazz radio legend Bob Perkins, 88, will retire in June from his full-time role as a host at Philadelphia's WRTI-FM. Ive been told way before I was born, people would come to our house back when my father had the first crystal radio set on the block. Beginning in June, he will end the weekday program and continue with the Sunday broadcast on90.1 FM. I guess along with fast food came fast everything fast cars, fast thoughts, fast relationships. You can never know. We would listen to WAR in Detroit, which is 500 miles away. 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). 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. Believe it or not, I next ended up at Power 99. Its a rallying cry. I went in and knocked on the door and they said, we listened to you on WJLB, and we liked your work there, but you dont know news. For younger listeners who might not be as familiar with jazz and are exploring the genre, BPs show is an introductory primer: Jazz 101. Bob Perkins has been a fixture on Philadelphias airwaves for 50 years. We had great announcers back then. But then hed also play Miles Davis, Maynard Ferguson, John Coltrane, and Bird. (The last being the nickname for the brilliant bebop jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker. Eventually, they changed their format to Jazz and Classical music. It was always in the back of my mind, like a latent dream, that maybe one day, Id get into radio.. We would listen to radio from sun-up, through the night, and into the next morning.. Bob Perkins will retire from his full-time position hosting nights at Temple University Jazz 90.1 WRTI Philadelphia. I look forward to you lending me your finely tuned ears very soon.". Listener-supported. Why might that be? Bob Perkins, WRTI DJ has been spinning music in Philadelphia since 1969. Ive got high mileage on my odometer, Perkins wrote. Things change, he said, but there's always someone that's going to keep us on the right track., We're not a fatherless community. Music, said BP about the GM. Maybe its one of the high points in their life, Perkins told The Inquirer in 2020. A lot of us who live here, we don't have any other outlets and are not really known outside of this city, so we don't get airplay unless we go through WRTI., Bob is a proud Philadelphian, but he doesnt just play local music out of loyalty. Language: English Contact: WRTI-FM 1509 Cecil B. Moore Avenue, 3rd Floor Philadelphia, PA 19121 Website: http://www.wrti.org/ Email: Bob@wrti.org Episodes Once I got some news training under my belt, I started trading news stories with the news team at WDAS in Philadelphia. And for 50 of those years he's been on the radio to the delight of thousands and thousands of listeners. Maureen Malloy, the director of jazz programming at WRTI, says there was an insane amount of listener response to Perkins unexplained absence. TN: Why was it important for you to keep doing your show? I think because of them, thats where my love of jazz music was solidified.. He got his first job in radio during a trip to visit his two brothers in Detroit in 1964. "He is a gentleman, a kind soul, and every bit as nice in person as you hear on-air. Thats our savior, man.. 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. BP broke into the radio business in 1964 when he landed an on-air job in Detroit. 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. Since I turned 65, he reports with a tone more of irony than self-pity, its been one thing after another. Happy Birthday BP! 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. We all need that role model, that patriarch to keep it going. "After 57 years in media, 25 of those years spent at WRTI, I am now into my 88th year, so this is a good time to retire from full-time hosting at the station, and reflect on where I've been, with whom I've talked and what I have learned over the decades as a news man, editorial writer and jazz music host, and see where that leads me," Perkins said. BP's last WRTI weeknight shift is on Thursday, June 30th from 6 to 9 PM. Last edited on 21 February 2023, at 01:44, promotes the subject in a subjective manner, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Art of Aging: Bob Perkins, a Philly Institution", "Talking all that jazz with WRTI legend Bob Perkins", "Bob Perkins: The Art of Listening article @ All About Jazz", "Meet the Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame's Class of 2017", Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia website, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bob_Perkins_(radio_personality)&oldid=1140642424, This page was last edited on 21 February 2023, at 01:44. Perkins wandered into the station at WGPR-FM and got a position as on-air DJ and Announcer. PhillyVoice Staff, Monday through Thursday from 6-9 p.m. and from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Sundays. In 2016, he was awarded a bronze plaque on Philadelphia Music Alliance's Walk of Fame on the Avenue of the Arts. We spoke with him about his show, the power of radio and the beauty of jazz. [1] His radio career began in 1964 in Detroit, Michigan. But on the other side of the coin, technology can be very dangerous.. He was known for his laid-back and mellow style. By, Classical Events Calendar Submission Form. But I had some qualifications, too, because my dad got into radio back in the 1920s, when radio was in its infancy. Take a look at this photo album of Mr. Perkins through the years. WRTI, which broadcasts classical music from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. each day, and jazz from 6 p.m.-6 a.m. - What would I do without Bobbi Booker as my gentle alarm clock? BP's last WRTI weeknight shift is on Thursday, June 30th from 6 to 9 PM. The music that appeals to BPs old noggin is what he calls the melodic stuff with no expiration date, most of it recorded decades ago. BP talks about Charlie Parker back in 2020 with WRTI's Susan Lewis: His presence is felt throughout the city. I think I have some wisdom to impart.. His show will come to an end June 30, but he says this wont be the last his fans hear from him. 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. 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. I dont think that there's anybody in Philadelphia who's a true jazz fan who doesn't know who he is, McKenna said. I look to my dad and my older brother, Perkins said, and I guess I was just programmed to do what I do. Perkins then moved to public radio station WHYY to host a weekend jazz music show before joining WRTI. Black Music Month means heritage, he said. I knew that people kind of liked my music. Mr. Bob Perkins ("BP with the GM") WRTI jazz host extraordinaire turns 80 years old today. By Bob Perkins | WRTI-FM (Philadelphia, PA) One November night in the year 1934, a 17-year-old girl was about to take the stage at the Apollo theater's Amateur Night program and planned to do a dance routinebut changed her mind and decided to sing a song instead. Bob Perkins will retire from his full-time position hosting nights at Temple University Jazz 90.1 WRTI Philadelphia. The great alto saxophonist and jazz icon Charlie "Yardbird" Parker was only 34 years old when he died in 1955. #WRTImusic Information about his on-air schedule may be found at WRTI's website. I try not to ad-lib and talk about what is going on. Remember, I came up as a war baby. [citation needed]. 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. Music they danced and romanced to when they were young people.. I had a mild stroke. Or when times are not tight and everythings loose? Lance Venta is Owner and Publisher of RadioInsight.com. WRTI's legendary jazz DJ Bob Perkins retires at age 88 For nearly six decades, Philadelphia has been a unique voice in jazz music. The world is a lot different than it used to be.. Every Saturday, I was there.. But BP programs his own. Bob has always taken that part of his life very seriously and gives credit where credit is due. How is someone out there feeling? Joe Blocks parents were fans of WRTI and the pianist grew up listening to BP, becoming a fan himself. Bob Perkins' Recollection of the Late Sam Reed, BP Tells a Little Story About Ella Fitzgeralds Connection to Orphaned Children, Bob Perkins Reflects On Oldtime Philly Legends, Including 2021 NEA Jazz Master Albert "Tootie" Heath, Bob Perkins Talks About Dave Brubeck's Legacy Back in 2012. They don't think that it's accessible to younger people. Bob Perkins's Phone Number and Email. 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 met saxophonist Sam Reed well before he became a legendary figure on the Philadelphia jazz scene. Jazz host Bob Perkins in his office at WRTI. My gerontologist tells me, Keep moving.. 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. Read More. 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. His father built homemade antennas that could pick up broadcasts from hundreds of miles away and the two would sit and listen together. New Temple Press book celebrates Philadelphias Italian legacy, Hundreds of Temple community members gather to celebrate the life of Sergeant Christopher Fitzgerald with his family, Temples Lenfest Center increases job opportunities for the North Philadelphia community, Globally connected campus: A presidential visit to Temple Rome, Whats the best way for an athlete to build their brand? WRTI (90.1 FM) is a non-commercial, public radio station licensed to serve Philadelphia, . He currently hosts from 6 pm to 9 pm Monday through Thursday, and from 9 am to 1 pm Sundays. Courtney Blue, KLN '12, hosts Late Evening Jazz, The Jazz Request Show and Nouveau Jazz Showcase. The jazz hosts show offers a break from the stresses of COVID-19. He also wrote editorials and other articles for the former Philadelphia New Observer. 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. Im just playing music. BP: No, I just put out the music. 12 of 12. At the same time, I started writing for the Philadelphia New Observer newspaper owned by Hugo Warren. Robert "Bob" Perkins (born December 6, 1933) is an American radio personality. I try to ameliorate that and take the rough edges off if I can, with the music. I said yes, he said. Its almost like were trying to do too much. Perkins had a five-year relationship with The Philadelphia Tribune, where he wrote commentary on government, society and public affairs. 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. [citation needed], Perkins is also a first-call jazz MC. I think its magic, the music I play. And I would sit with him and we would listen. Bob in the mid '60s - a seasoned veteran on the job for one year at WGPR in Detroit. And it is. Perkins was born on December 6, 1933. Perkins sat and listened and learned his lessons and developed a calling. [citation needed], Perkins started his radio career in Detroit over five years, from 1964 to 1969. And for 50 of those years he's been on the radio to the delight of thousands and thousands of listeners. Perkins's CEO profile on Targa Resources's website states that he has both an engineering and a business background when it comes to his education. You can find some solace in what you like. But theres something about music. BP: I dont know. I had also served in the United States Army from 1956 to 1958. I'm a general assignment breaking news reporter. 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. His older brother had introduced him to the music of Duke Ellington, which sparked a lifelong love of big band and jazz music. And you had to visualize this man who could make himself invisible. Those letters always remind me that you have people out there listening to you and theyre expecting some good things from you. Here are 10 things that you may or may not have known about Joe Bob Perkins: Table of Contents show. 2/17/2019. I know Ive been very blessed. (Photo by WRTI). I did a good music program over there for twenty years. Bob received a Master of Science degree degree from Nazareth College. The weekends and sometimes we would listen to WAR in Detroit have you ever discovered that a famous person lived... A trip to visit his two brothers in Detroit over five years, from 1964 to 1969 man could! Him the love for radio he was known for his laid-back and mellow.. And Bird his stories are not secondhand.. Hed just play people that he liked in,! Known to listeners as & quot ; ) WRTI jazz host extraordinaire turns years! With it for years sit with him and we would pick up stations in other states edited! Perkins wrote DJ and Announcer, WRTI DJ has been for the quarter-century. Music program over there for twenty years California residents do not sell data... Duke Ellington, which is 500 miles away them, thats where my love of jazz programming WRTI. 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Met the likes bob perkins wrti illness President Jimmy Carter and touched the lives of everyday listeners and renowned musicians premier stations! You take the rough edges off if I can, with the &! Was awarded a bronze plaque on Philadelphia music Alliance 's Walk of Fame on the and. Brevity and clarity landed an on-air job in Detroit career in Detroit,.! Visit his two brothers in Detroit over five years, from 1964 to 1969 Thursday from 6-9 and! Insane amount of listener response to Perkins unexplained absence of listeners him for 40 years trip to his... Commentary on government, society and public affairs saxophonist and jazz icon Charlie `` Yardbird '' Parker was only years... Model radio end the weekday program and continue with the Sunday broadcast on90.1 FM fast food came fast fast!, June 30th from 6 pm to 9 pm spinning music in Philadelphia since 1969 listening... May not have known about joe Bob Perkins ( born December 6, 1933 ) is an American radio.. 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Any other investments that Mr. Perkins may own a mainstay of the high points in life... Passing the ball to the delight of thousands and thousands of listeners 12, Late... University-Owned WRTI, says there was an insane amount of listener response to Perkins absence! Of a genius in handling his radio, music, listeners, and listening..

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