Gerald Joseph Blavat (July 3, 1940 – January 20, 2023), also known as "The Geator with the Heater" and "The Big Boss with the Hot Sauce," was an American disc jockey and performer who had been a major influence in promoting oldies music on the radio. A Philadelphia icon, he gained local fame hosting live dances in the area, leading to his own independent radio show, on which he introduced many acts in the 1960s to a wide audience, including the Four Seasons and The Isley Brothers. Blavat was born in South Philadelphia to a Jewish father and Italian mother.∼Iconic disc jockey and radio pioneer dies. Known as "The Geator with the Heater" and "The Boss with the Hot Sauce"
Jerry Blavat, the fast-talking Philadelphia DJ and impresario known as "The Geator with the Heater," has died at 82. His tireless promotion of pioneering Black artists of the 1950s and 1960s shaped the pop music culture of the city where he maintained an iconic presence for seven decades.
Jerry Blavat, a South Philadelphia native, began his show biz career as a dancer on the original Bandstand. At age 16, he became the road manager for Danny and the Juniors. Then, in 1959, Blavat embarked on a career in radio, at WCAM in Camden. Over the years, he's complemented his illustrious radio career with numerous TV projects, including The Discophonic Scene in 1965, which featured live musical performances by some of the biggest stars of the day.
Mr. Blavat first came to fame as a dancer on the teen-targeted pop music television show Bandstand in the 1950s. Having learned to jitterbug watching his mother, aunts, and uncles dance to Artie Shaw and Tommy Dorsey records — "The Italians, when the radio was on, they would start to dance," he said — he quickly established himself as one of the stars of the show, then hosted by Bob Horn.
He went on to make his mark as a band manager, record store and club owner, TV host, concert promoter, DJ, friend to the famous, and a living, breathing, irreplaceable repository of Philadelphia music history.
In a 2020 interview, Jerry said, "If God keeps me healthy, and as long as I see people smiling and laughing and dancing and comin' to see me, I'll do it. When I can't do it anymore, I'll just fade away a little bit over the mountain, across the sea. That's where I'll be if you want to be with me."
He leaves behind his lifelong girlfriend, four daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Jerry Blavat, the fast-talking Philadelphia DJ and impresario known as "The Geator with the Heater," has died at 82. His tireless promotion of pioneering Black artists of the 1950s and 1960s shaped the pop music culture of the city where he maintained an iconic presence for seven decades.
Jerry Blavat, a South Philadelphia native, began his show biz career as a dancer on the original Bandstand. At age 16, he became the road manager for Danny and the Juniors. Then, in 1959, Blavat embarked on a career in radio, at WCAM in Camden. Over the years, he's complemented his illustrious radio career with numerous TV projects, including The Discophonic Scene in 1965, which featured live musical performances by some of the biggest stars of the day.
Mr. Blavat first came to fame as a dancer on the teen-targeted pop music television show Bandstand in the 1950s. Having learned to jitterbug watching his mother, aunts, and uncles dance to Artie Shaw and Tommy Dorsey records — "The Italians, when the radio was on, they would start to dance," he said — he quickly established himself as one of the stars of the show, then hosted by Bob Horn.
He went on to make his mark as a band manager, record store and club owner, TV host, concert promoter, DJ, friend to the famous, and a living, breathing, irreplaceable repository of Philadelphia music history.
In a 2020 interview, Jerry said, "If God keeps me healthy, and as long as I see people smiling and laughing and dancing and comin' to see me, I'll do it. When I can't do it anymore, I'll just fade away a little bit over the mountain, across the sea. That's where I'll be if you want to be with me."
He leaves behind his lifelong girlfriend, four daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Gerald Joseph Blavat (July 3, 1940 – January 20, 2023), also known as "The Geator with the Heater" and "The Big Boss with the Hot Sauce," was an American disc jockey and performer who had been a major influence in promoting oldies music on the radio. A Philadelphia icon, he gained local fame hosting live dances in the area, leading to his own independent radio show, on which he introduced many acts in the 1960s to a wide audience, including the Four Seasons and The Isley Brothers. Blavat was born in South Philadelphia to a Jewish father and Italian mother.∼Iconic disc jockey and radio pioneer dies. Known as "The Geator with the Heater" and "The Boss with the Hot Sauce"
Jerry Blavat, the fast-talking Philadelphia DJ and impresario known as "The Geator with the Heater," has died at 82. His tireless promotion of pioneering Black artists of the 1950s and 1960s shaped the pop music culture of the city where he maintained an iconic presence for seven decades.
Jerry Blavat, a South Philadelphia native, began his show biz career as a dancer on the original Bandstand. At age 16, he became the road manager for Danny and the Juniors. Then, in 1959, Blavat embarked on a career in radio, at WCAM in Camden. Over the years, he's complemented his illustrious radio career with numerous TV projects, including The Discophonic Scene in 1965, which featured live musical performances by some of the biggest stars of the day.
Mr. Blavat first came to fame as a dancer on the teen-targeted pop music television show Bandstand in the 1950s. Having learned to jitterbug watching his mother, aunts, and uncles dance to Artie Shaw and Tommy Dorsey records — "The Italians, when the radio was on, they would start to dance," he said — he quickly established himself as one of the stars of the show, then hosted by Bob Horn.
He went on to make his mark as a band manager, record store and club owner, TV host, concert promoter, DJ, friend to the famous, and a living, breathing, irreplaceable repository of Philadelphia music history.
In a 2020 interview, Jerry said, "If God keeps me healthy, and as long as I see people smiling and laughing and dancing and comin' to see me, I'll do it. When I can't do it anymore, I'll just fade away a little bit over the mountain, across the sea. That's where I'll be if you want to be with me."
He leaves behind his lifelong girlfriend, four daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Jerry Blavat, the fast-talking Philadelphia DJ and impresario known as "The Geator with the Heater," has died at 82. His tireless promotion of pioneering Black artists of the 1950s and 1960s shaped the pop music culture of the city where he maintained an iconic presence for seven decades.
Jerry Blavat, a South Philadelphia native, began his show biz career as a dancer on the original Bandstand. At age 16, he became the road manager for Danny and the Juniors. Then, in 1959, Blavat embarked on a career in radio, at WCAM in Camden. Over the years, he's complemented his illustrious radio career with numerous TV projects, including The Discophonic Scene in 1965, which featured live musical performances by some of the biggest stars of the day.
Mr. Blavat first came to fame as a dancer on the teen-targeted pop music television show Bandstand in the 1950s. Having learned to jitterbug watching his mother, aunts, and uncles dance to Artie Shaw and Tommy Dorsey records — "The Italians, when the radio was on, they would start to dance," he said — he quickly established himself as one of the stars of the show, then hosted by Bob Horn.
He went on to make his mark as a band manager, record store and club owner, TV host, concert promoter, DJ, friend to the famous, and a living, breathing, irreplaceable repository of Philadelphia music history.
In a 2020 interview, Jerry said, "If God keeps me healthy, and as long as I see people smiling and laughing and dancing and comin' to see me, I'll do it. When I can't do it anymore, I'll just fade away a little bit over the mountain, across the sea. That's where I'll be if you want to be with me."
He leaves behind his lifelong girlfriend, four daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
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