# Jerry Blavat

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American disc jockey (1940–2023)

Jerry Blavat Blavat in 2019 Born Gerald Joseph Blavat (1940-07-03)July 3, 1940[1] Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Died January 20, 2023(2023-01-20) (aged 82) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Children 4 Career Show Geator Gold Radio Stations WFIL-TV, WVLT (FM), WTKU-FM, WXPN & WTYM-DB Style Oldies Country United States Website Official website

**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,"[2][3] was an American [disc jockey](/source/Disc_jockey) and [performer](/source/Performer) who had been a major influence in promoting [oldies](/source/Oldies) music on the radio. A [Philadelphia](/source/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](/source/The_Four_Seasons_(band)) and [the Isley Brothers](/source/The_Isley_Brothers).[4][5][6] Several notable musicians who hailed from the Philadelphia suburbs, including [Daryl Hall](/source/Daryl_Hall) and [Todd Rundgren](/source/Todd_Rundgren), cited Blavat as inspiring their musical careers.

## Early life

Jerry Blavat was born in [South Philadelphia](/source/South_Philadelphia) to a [Jewish](/source/Jewish) father and [Italian](/source/Italian-American) mother. His sister, Roberta, was born two years earlier.[7][8] His father was a [bookmaker](/source/Bookmaker) and his mother worked at the [Philadelphia Naval Shipyard](/source/Philadelphia_Naval_Shipyard) during World War II.[8]

## Career

In 1953, Blavat debuted on the original *[Bandstand](/source/American_Bandstand)* on [WFIL-TV](/source/WPVI-TV) with [Bob Horn](/source/Bob_Horn_(broadcaster)) and Lee Stewart. In 1956, he managed a national tour for [Danny and the Juniors](/source/Danny_and_the_Juniors), and he worked as [Don Rickles](/source/Don_Rickles)' valet in 1958–59. He got his start in radio on January 15, 1961, at [WCAM](/source/WCAM) in [Camden](/source/Camden%2C_New_Jersey), [New Jersey](/source/New_Jersey).[9] By 1963, his show was syndicated in [Atlantic City](/source/Atlantic_City%2C_New_Jersey), [Trenton](/source/Trenton%2C_New_Jersey), [Pottstown](/source/Pottstown%2C_Pennsylvania), [Wilmington](/source/Wilmington%2C_Delaware) and [Allentown](/source/Allentown%2C_Pennsylvania). He said he refused to follow a [playlist](/source/Playlist), "playing music from the heart, not a research chart." [10] During the 1960s, Blavat was a partner in the [Lost Nite](/source/Lost_Nite_Records) and [Crimson](/source/Crimson_Records) record labels, with Jared Weinstein and [Collectables Records](/source/Collectables_Records)' founder Jerry Greene.[11] Blavat made promotional appearances at Record Museum, a now-defunct chain of record stores based in Philadelphia, which was owned by Greene and Weinstein.[11]

From 1965 to 1967, Blavat produced and hosted a weekly television show in [Philadelphia](/source/Philadelphia) called *The Discophonic Scene*, a dance show for "all my yon [*sic*] teens" along the lines of *American Bandstand* (which began in Philadelphia a decade earlier), referring to himself as "the Geator with the Heater" and "the big boss with the hot sauce." He guest-starred on television shows including *[The Mod Squad](/source/The_Mod_Squad)*, *[The Monkees](/source/The_Monkees_(TV_series))*, *[The Tonight Show](/source/The_Tonight_Show)*, and *[The Joey Bishop Show](/source/The_Joey_Bishop_Show_(talk_show))*. He appeared in the movies *[Desperately Seeking Susan](/source/Desperately_Seeking_Susan)*, *[Baby It's You](/source/Baby_It's_You_(film))*, and *[Cookie](/source/Cookie_(film))*.[12][13] In 1972, Blavat purchased a nightclub in [Margate, New Jersey](/source/Margate%2C_New_Jersey), and named it "Memories".

## Alleged Mafia connections

In 1981, Blavat was having dinner at a [South Philadelphia](/source/South_Philadelphia) restaurant with [Philadelphia Greek Mob](/source/Philadelphia_Greek_Mob) boss [Chelsais "Steve" Bouras](/source/Philadelphia_Greek_Mob#Chelsais_"Steve"_Bouras), [Philadelphia crime family](/source/Philadelphia_crime_family) [soldier](/source/Soldato) [Raymond Martorano](/source/Raymond_Martorano), and several other guests when Bouras was shot dead in a [contract killing](/source/Contract_killing).[14]

In the early 1990s, an investigation by the [New Jersey State Commission of Investigation](/source/New_Jersey_State_Commission_of_Investigation) into [organized crime](/source/Organized_crime)'s influence in the liquor business made public Blavat's association with the [Bruno-Scarfo crime family](/source/Philadelphia_crime_family). During the investigation, [Thomas A. DelGiorno](/source/Andrew_Thomas_DelGiorno), a former Scarfo family [capo](/source/Caporegime), testified that Blavat had regularly paid a "street tax" to the crime family, had purchased a $40,000 yacht for crime boss [Nicodemo Scarfo](/source/Nicodemo_Scarfo) and was one of several individuals who purchased a condominium in [Florida](/source/Florida) for Scarfo. In exchange, the criminal organization secured employment for Blavat throughout the state and also kept union organizers out of Blavat's nightclub. DelGiorno also testified that Blavat regularly served as a driver for crime boss [Angelo Bruno](/source/Angelo_Bruno). Blavat [pled the fifth](/source/Pleading_the_Fifth)[15] and repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, claiming that his relationship with the Bruno family was strictly personal and based on Mrs. Bruno's and his mother's ancestors having come from the same town in Italy.[16]

## Later years

External videos “Lens Through Time: Jerry Blavat”, August 2, 2012, Philadelphia: The Great Experiment

In 1993, Blavat was inducted into the Philadelphia Music Alliance's Hall of Fame.[17] In 1998, he was included in the [Rock & Roll Hall of Fame](/source/Rock_%26_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](/source/Broadcast_Pioneers_of_Philadelphia)'s "Hall of Fame". On January 15, 2020, Blavat celebrated his 60th consecutive year on radio.

Blavat continued to broadcast on local radio seven days a week and perform at several record hops and events a week in the greater Philadelphia area.[1][18] He had been producing oldies concerts at the [Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts](/source/Kimmel_Center_for_the_Performing_Arts) in Philadelphia every year since January 2002. He was a regular columnist with his columns "Geator Gab" and "Ask the Geator" for the *[Atlantic City Weekly](/source/Atlantic_City_Weekly)* for over 20 years and from 2020 through 2022 wrote "Geator Gab" exclusively for the New Jersey Free Press. He had been a member of the [New York Friars' Club](/source/New_York_Friars'_Club) since 2010 and had been the emcee of [Time Life](/source/Time_Life)'s annual [Malt Shop Memories Cruise](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Malt_Shop_Memories_Cruise&action=edit&redlink=1) since 2011. His night club, Memories, where he continued to DJ during the summer, has been operating in [Margate, New Jersey](/source/Margate%2C_New_Jersey), since 1972. As of 2020, Blavat was a DJ for oldies radio station [WVLT (FM)](/source/WVLT_(FM)) 92.1 in the South Jersey area, for the University of Pennsylvania's public radio station [WXPN](/source/WXPN) in Philadelphia, for radio stations [WTKU-FM](/source/WTKU-FM) and [WOND](/source/WOND) in Atlantic City, [WBCB (AM)](/source/WBCB_(AM)) in Bucks County and Trenton, and [WISL (AM)](/source/WISL_(AM)) in [Shamokin, Pennsylvania](/source/Shamokin%2C_Pennsylvania). In 2020, Jerry expanded his radio network to the internet station Tyme 102.9 WTYM-DB in [Zephyrhills, Florida](/source/Lutz%2C_Florida).

In July 2011, Blavat's autobiography, *You Only Rock Once: My Life In Music*, was published by [Running Press](/source/Running_Press). After its third printing it was released two years later in paperback and as an audiobook in 2014.

Blavat was voted "Best Philly Icon" in a 2018 readers' poll conducted by *[Philadelphia](/source/Philadelphia_(magazine))* magazine.

## Personal life and death

Blavat had four daughters, Kathi Furia, Geraldine Blavat, Stacy Braglia, and Deserie Downey, plus five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was separated from his wife, Patricia Blavat, since 1972 and was in a long-term relationship with Rosalie (Keely) Stahl since 1989.[19]

Blavat died in hospice at [Methodist Hospital](/source/Methodist_Hospital_(Philadelphia)) in [Lower Moyamensing](/source/Lower_Moyamensing) following complications from [myasthenia gravis](/source/Myasthenia_gravis) on January 20, 2023, at the age of 82.[20] The City of Philadelphia ordered flags flown at half-mast[21] and his funeral service at the [Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul (Philadelphia)](/source/Cathedral_Basilica_of_Saints_Peter_and_Paul_(Philadelphia)) was open to the public and attended by thousands. [Dionne Warwick](/source/Dionne_Warwick) delivered the eulogy, citing Jerry as a major influence in launching her career.[22]

## See also

- [History of the Jews in Philadelphia](/source/History_of_the_Jews_in_Philadelphia)

- [History of the Italian Americans in Philadelphia](/source/History_of_the_Italian_Americans_in_Philadelphia)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-auto_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-auto_1-1) ["Cruisin' 92.1 - W V L T"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190102162840/http://www.wvlt.com/blavat.html). *Wvlt.com*. Archived from [the original](http://www.wvlt.com/blavat.html) on January 2, 2019. Retrieved October 6, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["TESS -- Error"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180821223153/http://tmsearch.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4806:ihonm8.2.2). *Tmsearch.uspto.gov*. Archived from [the original](http://tmsearch.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4806:ihonm8.2.2) on August 21, 2018. Retrieved October 6, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["TESS -- Error"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180821223208/http://tmsearch.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4806:ihonm8.3.3). *Tmsearch.uspto.gov*. Archived from [the original](http://tmsearch.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4806:ihonm8.3.3) on August 21, 2018. Retrieved October 6, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "the Isley Brothers". *Encyclopedia Britannica,* 12 Sep. 2022, [https://www.britannica.com/topic/the-Isley-Brothers](https://www.britannica.com/topic/the-Isley-Brothers) . Accessed 26 December 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["The Isley Brothers • Home"](https://officialisleybrothers.com/). *The Isley Brothers*. Retrieved December 26, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Carter, Bobby (August 18, 2021). ["The Isley Brothers: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert"](https://www.npr.org/2021/08/18/1026864443/the-isley-brothers-tiny-desk-home-concert). NPR.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Blavat, Jerry (2011). [*You Only Rock Once*](https://web.archive.org/web/20131201192534/http://geatorgigs.webs.com/youonlyrockoncethebook.htm). Running Press. p. 17. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0762442157](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0762442157). Archived from [the original](http://geatorgigs.webs.com/youonlyrockoncethebook.htm) on December 1, 2013. Retrieved February 15, 2013.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-DeLuca2023_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-DeLuca2023_8-1) DeLuca, Dan. ["Jerry Blavat, 'The Geator with the Heater,' dies at 82"](https://www.inquirer.com/obituaries/jerry-blavat-dies-82-philadelphia-geator-with-the-heater-20230120.html%26cid%3DDaily+News+Twitter+Account). *The Philadelphia Inquirer*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230122003527/https://www.inquirer.com/obituaries/jerry-blavat-dies-82-philadelphia-geator-with-the-heater-20230120.html%26cid%3DDaily%2BNews%2BTwitter%2BAccount) from the original on January 22, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Geator! A Tribute to Jerry Blavat"](http://home.eznet.net/~gc/geator/).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Memoir_10-0)** Blavat, Jerry (2011). [*You Only Rock Once*](https://web.archive.org/web/20131201192534/http://geatorgigs.webs.com/youonlyrockoncethebook.htm). Running Press. p. 363. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0762442157](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0762442157). Archived from [the original](http://geatorgigs.webs.com/youonlyrockoncethebook.htm) on December 1, 2013. Retrieved February 15, 2013.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-bsn_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-bsn_11-1) ["Lost Nite Album Discography"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080802214102/http://www.bsnpubs.com/philadelphia/lostnite.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.bsnpubs.com/philadelphia/lostnite.html) on August 2, 2008. Retrieved June 22, 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-blavat_12-0)** ["Jerry Blavat - Dossier"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080329015535/http://www.mystreamingserver.com/geatorgold/htmldossier.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.mystreamingserver.com/geatorgold/htmldossier.html) on March 29, 2008. Retrieved June 22, 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-wvlt_13-0)** ["CRUISIN' 92.1, WVLT – Jerry Blavat Bio"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080423091244/http://www.wvlt.com/blavat.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.wvlt.com/blavat.html) on April 23, 2008. Retrieved June 22, 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-InPerson_14-0)** Strauss, Robert (August 19, 2001). ["IN PERSON; His Patter and Platters Still Rock the Shore"](https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0DE1DD153EF93AA2575BC0A9679C8B63). *[New York Times](/source/New_York_Times)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Scarfo_15-0)** Sullivan, Joseph F. (January 19, 1992). ["Mob Sway Over Bars Called Strong"](https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE4DD123FF93AA25751C0A964958260). *[New York Times](/source/New_York_Times)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Archives - Philly.com"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150402090814/http://articles.philly.com/1995-06-30/news/25691282_1_mob-boss-philip-crazy-phil-leonetti-angelo-bruno). *Articles.philly.com*. Archived from [the original](http://articles.philly.com/1995-06-30/news/25691282_1_mob-boss-philip-crazy-phil-leonetti-angelo-bruno) on April 2, 2015. Retrieved October 6, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-pma_17-0)** ["Philadelphia Music Alliance Hall of Fame Bio"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110727173254/http://www.philadelphiamusicalliance.org/bios/blavat.htm). Archived from [the original](http://www.philadelphiamusicalliance.org/bios/blavat.htm) on July 27, 2011. Retrieved June 22, 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["GENERAL INFO & NEWS - the Geator's schedule & more"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120724010641/http://geatorgigs.webs.com/index.htm). Archived from [the original](http://geatorgigs.webs.com/index.htm) on July 24, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Jerry Blavat Finds the Fountain of Youth - Philadelphia Magazine"](https://web.archive.org/web/20171014234152/http://www.phillymag.com/articles/jerry-blavat-finds-the-fountain-of-youth/). *Phillymag.com*. April 21, 2008. Archived from [the original](http://www.phillymag.com/articles/jerry-blavat-finds-the-fountain-of-youth/) on October 14, 2017. Retrieved October 6, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Legendary Philadelphia disc jockey Jerry Blavat dies at 82"](https://6abc.com/jerry-blavat-dead-philadelphia-dj-geator-with-the-heater-health/12720769/). *[6 ABC](/source/WPVI-TV)*. January 20, 2023. Retrieved January 20, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Mayor Kenney Orders City Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Jerry Blavat | Office of the Mayor"](https://www.phila.gov/2023-01-23-mayor-kenney-orders-city-flags-to-half-staff-in-honor-of-jerry-blavat/). July 11, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Thousands attend Celebration of Life for legendary Philly DJ Jerry Blavat"](https://6abc.com/jerry-blavat-funeral-celebration-of-life-live-stream-how-to-watch-what-time-is/12741478/). January 27, 2023.

## External links

- [Official website](http://geatorgigs.webs.com/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230824094630/https://geatorgigs.webs.com/) 2023-08-24 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

- [Geator! A Tribute to Jerry Blavat](http://home.eznet.net/~gc/geator/)

- [Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia biography](http://www.broadcastpioneers.com/jerryblavat.html)

- [Jerry Blavat](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0087924/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

- [Jerry Blavat](https://www.discogs.com/artist/Jerry+Blavat) discography at [Discogs](/source/Discogs)

- [Jerry Blavat Interview](https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/jerry-blavat) at [NAMM Oral History Library](/source/NAMM_Oral_History_Program) (2021)

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND WorldCat National United States Artists MusicBrainz

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Jerry Blavat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Blavat) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Blavat?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.