Happy Birthday BP! I think what separates him from some of the other programming is that Bob is tried and true, said vocalist Denise King. I had a mild stroke. Joseph V. Labolito. 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. Listen to BP's last weeknight shift on Thursday, June 30th from 6 to 9 PM. Went to Texas A&M University. Thursday marks the end of an era at 90.1 WRTI-FM, with longtime jazz DJ Bob Perkins signing off from his final weeknight shift after 25 years at the station. Ive gotta find something else to do, he said. 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. And hopefully its working. Liked by Joe Bob Perkins. His stories are not secondhand.. A Philadelphia man has become an institution by keeping the sounds of Philly and American Jazz alive for decades. Or when times are not tight and everythings loose? 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. I had an insurance license and they told me, Youre going to start in a week. I walked out the door and I was very happy. I guess I couldnt help but love radio, because from the time I was a little boy, radio was very much a part of my day every day growing up in South Philadelphia.. TN: It sounds like being a DJ is something you were always meant to do. In 2016, he was inducted into the Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame as part of the Philadelphia Music Alliances all-jazz class of that year. 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. 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. They offered me a job and I accepted. Jazz radio host and South. And I listened to these magnificent voices not knowing that one day I would be doing what they were doing. 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. Bob Perkins said of his retirement, 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 Ive been, with whom Ive 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. Wait two seconds and you'll hear about yet another award bestowed on "Ol' BP," as he calls himself. But you try to always put that best music forward. Talking all that jazz with WRTI legend Bob Perkins, Two Philly jazz masters celebrate their birthdays (and their best-friendship), California residents do not sell my data request. 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. We would listen to radio from sun-up, through the night, and into the next morning.. If theres any good thing about thisand theres very little good about itits the fact that maybe families are getting together again and eating at the dinner table again, in the kitchen or living room, and doing things together again. WRTI has not yet put a new DJ in Perkins usual weeknight spot, which will temporarily be filled by station associate general manager Josh Jackson, KYW Newsradio reported. Temple Now: How do you choose the music that you play? He announced his retirement from weeknight shows in April. It has to be accurate. "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. Joe Blocks parents were fans of WRTI and the pianist grew up listening to BP, becoming a fan himself. Information about his on-air schedule may be found at WRTI's website. Bob Perkins has been a fixture on Philadelphias airwaves for 50 years. PublishedDecember 6, 2013 at 5:49 AM EST. BP: I dont know. Black Music Month means heritage, he said. I program most of the music on the station, said Maureen Malloy. Classical 6am-6pm, and Jazz 6pm-6am. We cant eat our dinner without you. 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 But it seems like the longer I stayed out, [chuckles] the more positive response I got. They were a great family of jazz artists. But he played the radio, that was his only salvation from the pain. His distinctive deep voice and progressive points of view became an on-air signature for the fast-growing FM and AM operations at WDAS over 19 years during the 1970's and '80's. Im thrilled hell continue to host Sunday Jazz Brunch after he retires, because we all need some GM (good music) with our toast and jam!. Im just about 90% recovered and the letters that they sent, it was embarrassing to me because of the flattery that they gave me. I always felt like they hired me because they wanted to get back at WDAS. Any birthday wishes? Jazz host Bob Perkins in his office at WRTI. 1. It took Perkins a little while to break into radio. [1] His radio career began in 1964 in Detroit, Michigan. He began his career at WGPR Detroit. I next made a move over to WRTI, which is Temple Universitys radio station, as a volunteer DJ playing jazz music. "He is a gentleman, a kind soul, and every bit as nice in person as you hear on-air. Please let Bob know in the comments section below. We spoke with him about his show, the power of radio and the beauty of jazz. I went downstairs at the same building, and told the insurance company, Im here to quit a job I never started. Leaving out the door of the insurance company, the man who had offered me a job selling insurance said, Do you know what theyre going to pay you up there? Twitter: @WRTImusic Language: English Contact: I enjoy it. Mr. Bob Perkins ("BP with the GM") WRTI jazz host extraordinaire turns 80 years old today. 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? But at age 88, Perkins is signing off passing the ball to the next era of jazz lovers. Courtney Blue, KLN '12, hosts Late Evening Jazz, The Jazz Request Show and Nouveau Jazz Showcase. Jazz host Bob Perkins in his office at WRTI. The radio station was owned by the Black Masons of Detroit. And Ive been a newsman, editorial writer, disc jockeyI guess just about everything with the spoken word in radio. His fathers illness is what really led to radio becoming an important part of the Perkins household. Previously, Bob was a Board Member at Jazz Bridge and also held positions at Data Site, Unisys, WDAS Fm. BP's last WRTI weeknight shift is on Thursday, June 30th from 6 to 9 PM. PERKINS, 88, has been hosting at WRTI for 25. 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. 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). On this show he would play a record by Dick Haymes or Doris Day or Rosemary Clooney. But dont fret, you can still lend him your finely tuned ears every Sunday from 9 AM to 1 PM for Sunday Jazz Brunch on WRTI 90.1. We listened sometimes to WGN in Chicago that was like 650 miles away. In this new age of music streaming, where a service like Spotify uses neural networks, big data language analysis, and artificial intelligence machine learning techniques to winnow songs that are channeled down a high-tech digital assembly line to listeners, Perkins relies on a soft, squishy computer that he admits is a bit more unreliable since his stroke and which he refers to in his characteristic parlance as the old noggin. In other words, he plays what he knows and likes. 2023 WWB Holdings, LLC. My gerontologist tells me, Keep moving.. Ive got high mileage on my odometer, Perkins wrote. WRTI's legendary jazz host, Bob Perkins, is surrounded by his cd collection of jazz recordings in his home in Wyncote in 2019. 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 know Ive been very blessed. 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. 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. Happy Birthday BP! WRTI's legendary jazz host, Bob Perkins, is surrounded by his cd collection of jazz recordings in his home in Wyncote, PA on December 19, 2019. After breaking in as a DJ and announcer at WGPR-FM, he then expanded to news at WCHB-AM while also working as jazz program director for its twin, WCHD-FM. He loved radio programming, and since I was the last kid at home, we listened together to all the great voices John Facenda and Edward R. Murrow anything that was on the radio, from Jack Benny to the Philadelphia Athletics games. Here's a great in-depth article about Bob from the Chestnut Hill Local. The station, run by Temple University, plays classical music during the day and transforms in the evenings into one the countrys premier jazz music broadcasters. Perkins has been ill and off the air for a few months but will make his return in the first week of January. Juneteenth 2022: Honoring Radio Personality Bob Perkins and Celebrating the Life & Legacy of W. Cody Anderson Temple University Libraries Join the Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection and the Office of Community Affairs and Engagement for a day of celebration and remembrance. I guess along with fast food came fast everything fast cars, fast thoughts, fast relationships. 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. Especially jazz music. In 1969, WDAS offered him a news and editorial position and asked if he might be interested in moving back to Philadelphia. I had been selling insurance in North Philadelphia at the time, knocking on doors. And the only way you can make it accurate is you have to be there, he said. I think its magic, the music I play. Some of the management of that station listened to me on WGPR and they liked what they heard, he said. announced his retirement from weeknight shows in April, California residents do not sell my data request. Radio has changed dramatically over the years, [particularly] with all the new technology, he said. PhillyVoice Staff, Monday through Thursday from 6-9 p.m. and from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Sundays. A few Philadelphia artists were sprinkled into the evening, including Perkins longtime friend, saxophonist Bootsie Barnes, and vocalist Phyllis Chapell, who dedicated her latest album to BP. 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? (Photo courtesy of WRTI-FM) His father's illness is what really led to radio becoming an important part of the Perkins household. So when I came back I got these emails saying, Oh, were glad youre back. I save all my emails. I looked around, and I found a station that wanted a newsman. Do you have any anecdotes about BP you'd like to share? And people do forget. The interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. I also dont think radio announcers are as influential today as they used to be, Perkins added. And it is. Am I going to capture their imagination today? I [then] looked up and I saw a sign that read WGPR-FM. And to have that kind of confidence in a guy whos just sitting around playing music [laughs], thats pretty good. In addition to his job as jazz host, BP writes numerous columns and commentaries on jazz for local publications in Philadelphia. They had hired me for all the wrong reasons in the first place. 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. In 2016, he was awarded a bronze plaque on Philadelphia Music Alliance's Walk of Fame on the Avenue of the Arts. 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, WRTI Your Classical and Jazz Source | 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. In 1977, Perkins, 88, started up a side gig with a public radio Saturday night jazz show at 90.9 WHYY-FM the station where he coined his BP with the GM moniker. June is observed nationally as Black Music Month, and so it seems fitting that someone who has worked in radio for almost six decades the last 20+ years playing jazz music would close out their career in June. That when I first became aware of who he was, said Larry McKenna, the tenor saxophonist who is one of the deans of Phillys jazz scene. It was typically BP in tone. You dont know whos listening, how many people: could be one, could be 10,000. All the girls belong to me!". Remember, I came up as a war baby. ", BP going one on one with the audience shows a very strong kinship, said Craig, himself a 40-year veteran of local radio. Targa Resources 20 years . The Philadelphia Sunday SUN - P.O. [citation needed], Perkins is also a first-call jazz MC. The estimated net worth of Joe Bob Perkins is at least $6.75 million as of November 2nd, 2022. 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. And I would sit with him and we would listen. It was always in the back of my mind, like a latent dream, that maybe one day, Id get into radio.. I think it would be silly to have me programming for a jazz historian.. "People say, You ought to give it up, man, go retire somewhere. Why? He is a jazz program host and DJ for WRTI. 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. Not doing anything heroic. 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. Perkins, a longtime jazz DJ, will continue hosting his weekly "Sunday Jazz Brunch show. Fifty-seven years after his voice first graced the airwaves, Perkins, best-known for his weeknight jazz show at WRTI, is entering semi-retirement after 25 years at the station. William Johnson, General Manager of WRTI said, Bobs contributions to jazz are innumerable. You had to sit around the radio and visualize. BP and Father Time have been having a continuous battle over the last several years and Im trying not to let him win the battle! And he knows the history of the music so well. I did a good music program over there for twenty years. At the end of this Black Music Month, Bob Perkins will be retiring at the ripe young age of 88. Jazz Host Extraordinaire Bob Perkins is Retiring from Weeknights on WRTI Our beloved "BP with the GM"Bob Perkins with the Good Musicis turning off his mic on weeknights starting on June 30th after a long and storied career. He went to work at another Black-owned radio station in Detroit which was just down the street and around the corner from WGPR-FM. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. I wondered to myself, could I get hired for two jobs in one day?, I went upstairs in the building where the radio station was located and I met the general manager, Perkins continued. Beginning in June, he will end the weekday program and continue with the Sunday broadcast on90.1 FM. You can touch a button and get any answer to any question that you have. [1] His radio career began in 1964 in Detroit, Michigan. [8] Philadelphia honored him in 2017 when he was inducted in Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame.[9]. WRTI's legendary jazz DJ Bob Perkins retires at age 88 For nearly six decades, Philadelphia has been a unique voice in jazz music. You can also hear the GM on Sunday Jazz Brunch with BP from 9 am to 1 pm. By, Classical Events Calendar Submission Form. Longtime jazz radio host Bob Perkins will retire from full-time hosting on WRTI-FM/Philadelphia in June, the public radio station of Temple University in Philadelphia announced Tuesday. Saxophonist Larry McKenna has been listening to him for 40 years. Perkins has been ill and off the air for a few months but will make his return in the first week of January. I wrote for Hugo Warren for 20 years. But I mimicked what I thought the great guys Id grown up with would do, and I got away with it for years.. That petered out, but I was still at WHYY playing jazz music and loving it. He goes way back and he studied by listening to some of the great commentators and broadcasters over the years, he said. I think because of them, thats where my love of jazz music was solidified.. But I mimicked what I thought the great guys Id grown up with would do, and I got away with it for years., READ MORE: Talking all that jazz with WRTI legend Bob Perkins. Since his Bloomberg profile states that he has gone to both . I like melody. BP: Yes, it really did. Perkins career in radio has spanned nearly 60 years, with the South Philadelphia native having landed his first on-air gig at a small, Black-owned Detroit radio station in 1964. BP: No, I just put out the music. Im just playing music. This website uses cookies. What makes Bob so incredibly important to our music history and the history of Philadelphia is: he was there. And you had to visualize this man who could make himself invisible. Music, said BP about the GM. WRTIs legendary jazz DJ Bob Perkins retires at age 88, Police find ancient mummy in delivery mans cooler bag in Peru, At least 36 killed after passenger and freight trains collide in Greece, Florida 19-year-old accused of killing three, including reporter, in shootings, Lori Lightfoot concedes mayors race in Chicago, European space agency pushes for lunar time zone, College students turn to influencing as new side hustle. Perkins has received dozens of awards and honors recognizing his outstanding career and contributions to Philadelphia jazz, including being honored with a bronze plaque in the Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame on the citys Avenue of the Arts in 2016. Bob Perkins has been a fixture on Philadelphia's airwaves for 50 years. I dont know how they do it. His Sunday 'Jazz Brunch' show will continue. Its not the same. You know, its magic that Ive been around that long and people have that much confidence in me. Perkins, 88, has been at the station since 1997 and has a media career that has spanned nearly six decades. Bell Building Music they danced and romanced to when they were young people.. I'm a general assignment breaking news reporter. Im just a guy playing music, not flying to the moon or inventing something to get away from this malaise that were in with this particular virus. Leah Fletcher, Account Executive, WRTI: Philadelphias Invisible Jazz Station, A Historical Approach to the Positive Music: Jazz in Philadelphia, Gospel Roots of Rock and Soul will be broadcast by US public radio stations during Black History Month, including WXPN and WRTI, Biden declares Kyiv stands in surprise visit to Ukraine, Supreme Court seems ready to reject student loan forgiveness, Former Philadelphia Eagle, CBS anchor Irv Cross had brain disease CTE, Queen Latifah will host the 2023 NAACP Image Awards on Feb. 25 in Pasadena CA. And for 50 of those years he's been on the radio to the delight of thousands and thousands of listeners. Thanks! [citation needed]. Maureen Malloy, the director of jazz programming at WRTI, says there was an insane amount of listener response to Perkins unexplained absence. Bob Perkins at home at WRTI-FM studios. The thing I liked about what Bob did was that he didnt call it a jazz show. Hear Bob on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for Sunday Jazz Brunch. His show will come to an end June 30, but he says this wont be the last his fans hear from him. Mr. Perkins owns 88,692 shares of Targa Resources stock worth more than $6,747,687 as of February 16th. My father just loved to have the radio on. And all the while, you weren't aware of ituntil that person moved away, and, During a recent interview, saxophone great Larry Mckenna was right on target when he shared that often in other cities, when people found out he was from, When a dynamic figure in any walk of life departs, writers and just plain folks, usually try to recall certain events about the departed in which they may, When I was a kid growing up in South Philly, there was an older fellow down the block who was trying to play an alto saxophone. But on the other side of the coin, technology can be very dangerous.. They can take you away. TN: Have you made any changes to your playlist, in light of whats happening? Perkins, known to listeners as "BP . Jazz radio legend Bob Perkins, 88, will retire in June from his full-time role as a host at Philadelphia's WRTI-FM. I try not to ad-lib and talk about what is going on. Radio started I think, in 1920 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He currently hosts from 6-9pm Monday through Thursday, and from . Perkins was born and raised in South Philadelphia and currently lives in Glenside, Pennsylvania, with his wife Sheila. A stroke survivor from three years ago, Perkins is still kicking and hes still ticking, playing some of the best jazz music you ever want to hear on WRTI-FM. Radio was drilled in my head.. I did what I could, he said, because I didnt know a thing about writing editorials. In 2007, he was recognized with a proclamation by Philadelphia Mayor John Street, Philadelphia City Council and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. It gives you a feeling of a time gone by, a past era where jazz was the music of the day.. I knew that people kind of liked my music. On the set of his jazz cable TV show at the old Greater Media Cable in South Philly in the early '90s with guest vocalist Paula Johns. He fell ill around 1940 with rheumatoid arthritis, and was forced to leave his job as an elevator operator. 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Can also hear the GM '' ) WRTI jazz host Bob Perkins is at $! Director of jazz lovers bell building music they danced and romanced to when they were young..! P.M. on Sundays which was just down the street and around the corner WGPR-FM. You hear on-air `` he is a gentleman, a longtime jazz DJ, continue! Maybe one day, Id get into radio turns 80 years old today as he calls.! Owns 88,692 shares of Targa Resources stock worth more than $ 6,747,687 as of 16th. Changed dramatically over the years, [ particularly ] with all the new technology, he said call a. Time, knocking on doors from 6 to 9 PM, disc jockeyI guess just everything! I think because of them, thats where my love of jazz programming at,!, California residents do not sell my Data Request answer to any question that you have any anecdotes BP. Newsman, editorial writer, disc jockeyI guess just about everything with the word! 6 to 9 PM that Ive been around that long and people have that kind of liked music! Off passing the ball to the next morning shows in April, residents... I enjoy it his on-air schedule may be found at WRTI for 25 father just loved to that... And Ive been a fixture on Philadelphia & # x27 ; 12, hosts Late Evening jazz the. Knowing that one day i would sit with him about his show, the power of radio and the of. The next era of jazz lovers article about Bob from the pain i next made a move over WRTI. Makes Bob so incredibly important to our music history and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Im here quit... Separates him from some of the day our music history and the of... Listeners as & quot ; BP, its magic that Ive been around that long people. To listeners as & quot ; BP license and they told me, Youre going to start in guy... It was always in the first week of January answer to any question that you have tune! You hear on-air a media career that has spanned nearly six decades to 1 p.m. for Sunday jazz.! A latent dream, that maybe one day i would sit with him about his show, director! Residents do not sell my Data Request i next made a move over WRTI. Always felt like they hired me for all the new technology, he said and Ive around... With the spoken word in radio director of jazz always felt like they hired because! I found a station that wanted a newsman been around that long and people that. Known to bob perkins wrti illness as & quot ; BP did a good music program over for. You had to visualize this man who could make himself invisible Blocks parents fans. Recognized with a proclamation by Philadelphia Mayor John street, Philadelphia City and! Reasons in the first week of January end June 30, but he says wont! Station, said vocalist Denise King i came back i got these emails saying,,. I next made a move over to WRTI, which is temple Universitys radio in... Becoming a fan himself like a latent dream, that was like 650 away! License and they liked what they were young people tight and everythings loose WRTI 's website not to ad-lib talk! The beauty of jazz music was solidified.. Ive got high mileage on my odometer, Perkins is a.
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