Like the theme song from the 1944 film Laura, played by saxophone legend Coleman Hawkins. You dont know whos listening, how many people: could be one, could be 10,000. (Photo courtesy of WRTI-FM) His father's illness is what really led to radio becoming an important part of the Perkins household. The jazz hosts show offers a break from the stresses of COVID-19. But on the other side of the coin, technology can be very dangerous.. He began his career at WGPR Detroit. Do you have any anecdotes about BP you'd like to share? Temple Now: How do you choose the music that you play? Mr. Bob Perkins ("BP with the GM") WRTI jazz host extraordinaire turns 80 years old today. Robert Bob Perkins (born December 6, 1933) is an American radio personality. I dont know why music is so much more powerful than some other entity. Perkins has been ill and off the air for a few months but will make his return in the first week of January. And to have that kind of confidence in a guy whos just sitting around playing music [laughs], thats pretty good. And for 50 of those years he's been on the radio to the delight of thousands and thousands of listeners. Perkins has received a number of accolades for his decades-long career, including an induction into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame in 2003. ", BP going one on one with the audience shows a very strong kinship, said Craig, himself a 40-year veteran of local radio. Bob Perkins has been instrumental in establishing WRTI as one of the premier jazz stations in the country since 1997. 2/17/2019. At the same time, I started writing for the Philadelphia New Observer newspaper owned by Hugo Warren. BP broke into the radio business in 1964 when he landed an on-air job in Detroit. I'm thrilled he'll continue to host Sunday Jazz Brunch after he retires, because we all need some GM (good music) with our toast and jam!". Partner Tupper Lake Partners 2021 - Present 2 years. Take a look at this photo album of Mr. Perkins through the years. 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. [3] One of his well-known sayings is "This is BP with the GM!". Thats a long time. "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. That was 25 years ago.. It has to be accurate. They just let me have my own way and they seem to like what I play. They can take you away. 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. 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. Bob says that it was Joe who first introduced him to jazz. "He is a gentleman, a kind soul, and every bit as nice in person as you hear on-air. We would listen to the great John Facenda out of Philadelphia and to other great broadcasters from other cities. Five of the most outstanding jazz personalities had. He was known for his laid-back and mellow style. The radio station was owned by the Black Masons of Detroit. He fell ill around 1940 with rheumatoid arthritis, and was forced to leave his job as an elevator operator. Music. He announced his retirement from weeknight shows in April. His Sunday 'Jazz Brunch' show will continue. It gives you a feeling of a time gone by, a past era where jazz was the music of the day.. I had a mild stroke. 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.. Information about his on-air schedule may be found at WRTI's website. Jazz radio host and South. The estimated net worth of Joe Bob Perkins is at least $6.75 million as of November 2nd, 2022. A Philadelphia man has become an institution by keeping the sounds of Philly and American Jazz alive for decades. She was 81.Bob Perkins recalls how, Tommy Potters name wouldnt get much attention in jazz circles these daysunless the gathering were comprised of musicians and jazz fans with, WRTI Your Classical and Jazz Source | I enjoy it. They were doing quite well, raising their families, Perkins said. 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. Jazz radio legend Bob Perkins, 88, will retire in June from his full-time role as a host at Philadelphia's WRTI-FM. News was almost like a religion back in the day. Im waiting for my doc to give me clearance to return to work so that I can keep putting out that good GM . About to host his talk show on WDAS in the mid '70s. Perkins will continue to host his Sunday show from 9am to 1pm. 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. 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. I next made a move over to WRTI, which is Temple Universitys radio station, as a volunteer DJ playing jazz music. 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. We cant eat our dinner without you. It took Perkins a little while to break into radio. Maybe its one of the high points in their life.". Well put you in there with the news guy and youll learn., At three different stations, I learned something about radio, Perkins said. I became the news and editorial director after Jim Clash died at WDAS, Perkins said. He later joined WHYY with a weekend jazz show before landing at WRTI. In 2016, he was awarded a bronze plaque on Philadelphia Music Alliance's Walk of Fame on the Avenue of the Arts. Maybe were getting back to that today. Perkins was also one of Pennsylvania's favorite night-time jazz listeners, in the Philadelphia area. He wanted to share his obsession. 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. 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. People say, You ought to give it up, man, go retire somewhere. Why? 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. Bob Perkins has been a fixture on Philadelphia's airwaves for 50 years. I [then] looked up and I saw a sign that read WGPR-FM. Not only with his actual speaking voice, but also with the music he selects, Block said. 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. His father built homemade antennas that could pick up broadcasts from hundreds of miles away and the two would sit and listen together. 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. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. 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. TEMPLE UNIVERSITY Jazz-Classical WRTI/PHILADELPHIA evening host BOB PERKINS is stepping away from his weekday 6-9p (ET) show on JUNE 30th. It comes out of the head, out of the heart and out of your soul. For younger listeners who might not be as familiar with jazz and are exploring the genre, BPs show is an introductory primer: Jazz 101. After a longtime gig at WHYY, he joined WRTI in 1997. You can also hear the GM on Sunday Jazz Brunch with BP from 9 am to 1 pm. At one time, you could hear him from 6-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and. 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. Targa Resources 20 years . We werent sure at first when hed be back, so we didnt say anything. Finally, in mid-November, a post went up on the WRTI web page. I try to ameliorate that and take the rough edges off if I can, with the music. What makes Bob so incredibly important to our music history and the history of Philadelphia is: he was there. Ive always admired him for that., After working as a jazz host on WHYY for nearly a decade, Bob joined WRTI in 1997. From 1988 to 1997 he hosted a well-known jazz program on Saturday nights on WHYY-FM before moving to WRTI. Melinda Whiting, Courtney Blue, Bobbi I. Booker, Susan Lewis and Maureen Malloy are familiar voices on WRTI. I try not to ad-lib and talk about what is going on. But it seems like the longer I stayed out, [chuckles] the more positive response I got. TN: Have you made any changes to your playlist, in light of whats happening? Happy Birthday BP! Once I got some news training under my belt, I started trading news stories with the news team at WDAS in Philadelphia. Perkins, 88, has been at the station since 1997 and has a media career that has spanned nearly six decades. By, Classical Events Calendar Submission Form. They were a great family of jazz artists. 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. His stories are not secondhand.. I like melody. Ive gotta find something else to do, he said. 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? 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. We all need that role model, that patriarch to keep it going. And for 50 of those years he's been on the radio to the delight of thousands and thousands of listeners. We spoke with him about his show, the power of radio and the beauty of jazz. Perkins was honored with a bronze plaque in the Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame on the citys Avenue of the Arts in 2016 and was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame in 2003, among other awards and accolades. Jazz host Bob Perkins in his office at WRTI. Hes told me this: he won't play anything that he doesn't like [or] that he doesn't consider to be first class, McKenna said. I did what I could, he said, because I didnt know a thing about writing editorials. 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? So when I came back I got these emails saying, Oh, were glad youre back. I save all my emails. Favorite night-time jazz listeners, in light of whats happening, could be one, could be one, be... 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