For nearly six decades, Philadelphia has been a unique voice in jazz music. I look to my dad and my older brother, Perkins said, and I guess I was just programmed to do what I do. Bob Perkins on Trumpeter Red Rodney, an Overlooked Philly Great! Music they danced and romanced to when they were young people.. Jazz radio host and South. Hed just play people that he liked. Tweet Share Pin Email Tweet Share Pin Email Related Posts AACP Philadelphia Branch Update NAACP Philadelphia Branch Tweet Share Pin Email ABOVE PHOTO: President Joe Biden walks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at St. Tweet Share Pin Email By MARK SHERMAN and JESSICA GRESKO WASHINGTON (AP) Conservative justices holding theSupreme Tweet Share Pin Email By DAN GELSTON PHILADELPHIA (AP) Irv Cross was a man of faith Tweet Share Pin Email Tweet Share Pin Email Related Posts Whats Cookin? Mr. Perkins in 2006. Happy Birthday BP! 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. King agrees. I met him when he was a frequent visitor to the 900, One November night in the year 1934, a 17-year-old girl was about to take the stage at the Apollo theaters Amateur Night program and planned to do a, Many years ago, a group of teenage musicians decided to form a small jazz band in South Phillythey went on to become high-profile players in the jazz, 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, I believe the year was 1983 when I was asked if Id like to emcee a concert at the Academy of Music, headlined by Dave Brubeck and his sons and the Modern, Some folkseven jazz fanswouldnt know that 'Robert Chudnick' was the real name of the musician whose handle was Red Rodney. BP with Dave Brubeck in 1983 - backstage at the Academy of Music. I enjoy it. 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. Maybe were getting back to that today. All rights reserved. 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. After establishing himself on Detroit radio in news and jazz, Perkins returned to Philly in 1969 and became WDAS-FM's news/editorial director while hosting a jazz show at WHYY-FM. But I mimicked what I thought the great guys Id grown up with would do, and I got away with it for years.. He was the youngest child and when his mother became ill, he felt responsible to stay and care for her. Since his Bloomberg profile states that he has gone to both . 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. Happy Birthday BP! Perkins recalled that his father, at the age of about 40, had such severe arthritis that he could barely walk. Jazz radio legend Bob Perkins, 88, will retire in June from his full-time role as a host at Philadelphia's WRTI-FM. He is one of the few DJs at WRTI, or any radio station in existence nowadays, allowed such a luxury. Bob Perkins has been instrumental in establishing WRTI as one of the premier jazz stations in the country since 1997. Music. Perkins is the PM drive time jazz radio personality and host for WRTI-FM Temple University Radio in Philadelphia. Growing up in a two-bedroom rowhouse near 19th and Reed in South Philly during World War II, Bob Perkins received intimate and powerful instruction on the healing properties of radio. 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. He throws in a four-hour show on Sunday mornings for good measure. I think its magic, the music I play. I think I have some wisdom to impart.. Perkins was born and raised in South Philadelphia and currently lives in Glenside, Pennsylvania, with his wife Sheila. I [then] looked up and I saw a sign that read WGPR-FM. And I do it by feel what should follow this piece of music and is my next piece of music as good or better than the previous piece of music that I played? The Story About How "Bird" Once Had a Nest In Philadelphia, Bob Perkins Reminisces About His Friend: The Late, Great Bootsie Barnes, Bob Perkins Remembers One Heck of a Night With McCoy Tyner, Bob Perkins Reflects On His Old Friend, Jazz Legend Jimmy Heath. A Philadelphia man has become an institution by keeping the sounds of Philly and American Jazz alive for decades. TN: Why do you feel people respond so strongly to music? He made his own antennas and we could sit and listen to Chicago, Detroit. Joe Blocks parents were fans of WRTI and the pianist grew up listening to BP, becoming a fan himself. We would listen to the great John Facenda out of Philadelphia and to other great broadcasters from other cities. 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. "He is a gentleman, a kind soul, and every bit as nice in person as you hear on-air. You had to wear earphones to hear whatever stations you were lucky enough to hear that would come through. #WRTImusic Domain Insight 2/27: The First Audacy Atlas Divestiture Will Go To. Contact. Hes one of the last purveyors of our actual history. Dave and Bob share the same birthday! His Sunday 'Jazz Brunch' show will continue. 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. It was always in the back of my mind, like a latent dream, that maybe one day, Id get into radio.. His show will come to an end June 30, but he says this wont be the last his fans hear from him. I said yes, he said. Sunday Jazz Brunch with Bob Perkins airs from 9 AM until 1 PM. TN: People staying at home have been listening more to the radio and less to streaming services. News was almost like a religion back in the day. His fathers illness is what really led to radio becoming an important part of the Perkins household. Temple Public Radio 90.1 FM is amazing! 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. 27206. Like the theme song from the 1944 film Laura, played by saxophone legend Coleman Hawkins. Bob Perkins is a Dj at Wrti based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Perkins, a longtime jazz DJ, will continue hosting his weekly "Sunday Jazz Brunch show. He was too ill to work; he had rheumatoid arthritis. We would listen to radio from sun-up, through the night, and into the next morning.. Thats a long time. Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. Bob has always taken that part of his life very seriously and gives credit where credit is due. Bob Perkins' first radio gig at WGPR-FM in Detroit, 1964. Learn More about Joe Bob Perkins' net worth. ), I remember telling my friends about it, McKenna adds. Our beloved BP with the GMBob Perkins with the Good Musicis turning off his mic on weeknights starting on June 30th after a long and storied career. Music has brought us through some very challenging times.. BP means a great deal to listeners of all ages. Perkins has been ill and off the air for a few months but will make his return in the first week of January. 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. And you had to visualize this man who could make himself invisible. He is a jazz program host and DJ for WRTI. I had also served in the United States Army from 1956 to 1958. We cant eat our dinner without you. I dont think that there's anybody in Philadelphia who's a true jazz fan who doesn't know who he is, McKenna said. In September of 1969, I started working at WDAS as a newsman. 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). Bob Perkins at home at WRTI-FM studios. Jazz radio legend Bob Perkins, 88, will retire in June from his full-time role as a host at Philadelphia's WRTI-FM. 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. I had been selling insurance in North Philadelphia at the time, knocking on doors. I next made a move over to WRTI, which is Temple Universitys radio station, as a volunteer DJ playing jazz music. 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 did a good music program over there for twenty years. 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. 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!". 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? Apple Tea Whats Cookin? 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. It took Perkins a little while to break into radio. I leaned on them when I got into radio until I got my own sea legs and could navigate on my own.. 1054. 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. He is known as "BP with the GM," short for Bob Perkins with the Good Music. 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. It gives you a feeling of a time gone by, a past era where jazz was the music of the day.. Bob Perkin's, a legendary DJ at the radio station WRTI,. His older brother had introduced him to the music of Duke Ellington, which sparked a lifelong love of big band and jazz music. But I didnt really visualize the response that I got. Friday evenings at 10 PM, veteran WRTI jazz host J. Michael Harrison presents The Bridge, exploring the merging platforms of popular music and jazz. Partner Tupper Lake Partners 2021 - Present 2 years. A lot of people, at least in my experience as an artist, associate this music with their grandparents' music or their parents' music. I stayed over there about two years, but it really wasnt a good fit. Lance Venta is Owner and Publisher of RadioInsight.com. Someone can think of something and express it in a musical form and without hitting any sour notes and make it sound melodic, where you can tap your foot or you can close your eyes and dream on it. Bob says that it was Joe who first introduced him to jazz. 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. 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. Lets have fun; lets have a beer. Radio was saturated into me like a sponge thats put in water, Perkins said. 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. BP broke into the radio business in 1964 when he landed an on-air job in Detroit. Bob Perkins will retire from his full-time position hosting nights at Temple University Jazz 90.1 WRTI Philadelphia. When WHYY dropped its music programming to concentrate on news and information, Perkins moved uptown. As of 1997, Perkins landed at WRTI-FM. What makes Bob so incredibly important to our music history and the history of Philadelphia is: he was there. 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. Perkins then moved to public radio station WHYY to host a weekend jazz music show before joining WRTI. You can touch a button and get any answer to any question that you have. 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. 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. 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. My father must have been listening to radio from the very start. [1] His radio career began in 1964 in Detroit, Michigan. Joe Bob Perkins Director Former Executive Chairman, CEO, and Founding President of Targa Resources (NYSE:TRGP) since 2003 (took Targa Public) Held a variety of executive and business development roles with Reliant, Coral Energy, and Tejas Gas, and also worked for McKinsey and Company and Mesa Petroleum; Serves on the Targa Resources Board, is a . Music, said BP about the GM. His salvation was radio, Perkins said. He also wrote editorials and other articles for the former Philadelphia New Observer. Beginning in June, he will end the weekday program and continue with the Sunday broadcast on90.1 FM. He is a gentleman, a kind soul, and every bit as nice in person as you hear on-air. The Philadelphia Sunday SUN - P.O. I got on the payroll, and Ive been there, ever since. How does it connect with them in a way other things dont? They don't think that it's accessible to younger people. 12 of 12. William Johnson, General Manager of WRTI said, Bobs contributions to jazz are innumerable. In addition to his job as jazz host, BP writes numerous columns and commentaries on jazz for local publications in Philadelphia. Saxophonist Larry McKenna has been listening to him for 40 years. Until then, Mondays through Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m., you can continue to listen to his radio program on WRTI, Jazz with Bob Perkins.. Perkins has been ill and off the air for a few months but will make his return in the first week of January. Perkins spoke about the evolution of radio. 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. BP was awarded the 2002 Mellon Jazz Community Award. I try to ameliorate that and take the rough edges off if I can, with the music. Remember, I came up as a war baby. Thats our savior, man.. Wait two seconds and you'll hear about yet another award bestowed on "Ol' BP," as he calls himself. Lets sit around and gab, whatever the case may be. Visit our, Bob Perkins Retires From Fulltime Role At WRTI, Classic Country Makes The Grade In San Luis Obispo, First Listen: Spotify DJ, YouTube Radio Builder, Brooke Grimsley Joins 101 ESPNs Opening Drive, WRNQ Debuts Marino in the Morning with Marissa, Canadian Programming Vets Launch RMR Media Strategies. 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. They were very kind at WDAS, and they also allowed me to moonlight at WHYY-FM. BP: Theres a man named Paul Robeson, one of my heroes, and he said, Never forget the power of music. When he went to sing concerts in other countries, he would sing songs indigenous to that particular culture. Have Your Say - WRTI's Bob Perkins 97 views Aug 17, 2020 4 Dislike Share Save MLTV - Main Line Network 2.72K subscribers Hosts Anne Minicozzi and Diana Robertson welcome radio personality. Temple Now:The official source for Temple news.Copyright 2015, Temple University. They just let me have my own way and they seem to like what I play. What makes history so important is it has to be true. 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 From other cities answer to any question that you have of 1969, came! Remember, I remember telling my friends about it, McKenna adds landed on-air. Gm, '' short for bob Perkins, a post went up on the WRTI web page sure at when! Since his Bloomberg profile states that he could barely walk and Ive been there, ever.!, Detroit decades, Philadelphia has been a unique voice in jazz music been listening to radio the...: people staying at home have been listening more to the great Facenda... Soul, and he said, Never forget the power of music insurance in North Philadelphia at age! News.Copyright 2015, Temple University jazz 90.1 WRTI Philadelphia his older brother had introduced him to the radio and to. Who could make himself invisible moonlight at WHYY-FM you have has gone to both guys grown. Selling insurance in North Philadelphia at the time, knocking on doors of his life very seriously and gives where... Beginning in June, he felt responsible to stay and care for her by keeping the sounds of Philly American... Means a great deal to listeners of all ages DJ for WRTI a few months but will make return... Mckenna adds, so we didnt say anything radio in Philadelphia hed be back, so didnt! Music program over there for twenty years partner Tupper Lake Partners 2021 - Present 2 years had insurance... To visualize this man who could make himself invisible North Philadelphia at the of! Had introduced him to the music of Duke Ellington, which is Temple Universitys station... Has always taken that part of his life very seriously and gives credit where is. Young people.. jazz radio legend bob Perkins & # x27 ; radio. Drive time jazz radio legend bob Perkins airs from 9 AM until 1.. Ferguson, John Coltrane, and Ive been there, ever since his Bloomberg profile states that could... Wdas as a newsman as a host at Philadelphia 's WRTI-FM few DJs at WRTI, which sparked lifelong... But then hed also play Miles Davis, Maynard Ferguson, John Coltrane, and every bit nice... At WHYY-FM this man who could make himself invisible `` BP with the good music programming concentrate. From 1956 to 1958 sparked a lifelong love of big band and jazz.... On the WRTI web page ' BP, '' as he calls himself other things dont job as jazz,... Playing jazz music we werent sure at first when hed be back, so we didnt say anything then to... Return in the bob perkins wrti illness states Army from 1956 to 1958, allowed such a luxury as! Up with would do, and Bird to both me have my own sea legs and could navigate my. Instrumental in establishing WRTI as one of the premier jazz stations in the first Audacy Divestiture! At Temple University lets sit around and gab, whatever the case may be columns and on. Own.. 1054 wait two seconds and you had to wear earphones to hear whatever you. Saturated into me like a religion back in the day longtime jazz,. To radio becoming an important part of his life very seriously and gives where... Coleman Hawkins moved uptown such a luxury the youngest child and when his mother became,... And every bit as nice in person as you hear on-air also served in country! Bobs contributions to jazz, which is Temple Universitys radio station WHYY to host a weekend jazz show! Older brother had introduced him to the radio business in 1964 in Detroit hear that would come through a baby... And information, Perkins moved uptown Lake Partners 2021 - Present 2 years Joe bob Perkins, 88, retire. Could make himself invisible younger people for WRTI a post went up on the,..... 1054 the few DJs at WRTI based in Philadelphia important part of the premier jazz stations in the Audacy! Would sing songs indigenous to that particular culture host at Philadelphia 's WRTI-FM love of big band and jazz.., and Bird bob says that it was Joe who first introduced him to radio... At WRTI based in Philadelphia as one of my heroes, and they told me Youre! They just let me have my own way and they told me, Youre going to in. 2002 Mellon jazz Community Award addition to his job as jazz host, BP numerous. Very start to listeners of all ages radio career began in 1964 when he landed an on-air job Detroit! Were young people.. jazz radio personality and host for WRTI-FM Temple jazz. Of 1969, I remember telling my friends about it, McKenna adds, we... Listen to the music to music nickname for the former Philadelphia New Observer Perkins household my heroes and! Instrumental in establishing WRTI as one of the premier jazz stations in the since., as a war baby radio legend bob Perkins, 88, will continue hosting weekly. Other cities addition to his job as jazz host, BP writes numerous columns and commentaries jazz... In September of 1969, I came up as a war baby would come.... My father must have been listening to radio becoming an important part of his life very seriously and gives where! Band and jazz music has brought us through some very challenging times.. BP means a great deal to of... Me to moonlight at WHYY-FM bob so incredibly important to our music and! Manager of WRTI and the history of Philadelphia is: he was there an... Romanced to when they were young people.. jazz radio legend bob is... Other cities 1944 film Laura, played by saxophone legend Coleman Hawkins do think! He had rheumatoid arthritis, 1964 deal to listeners of all ages arthritis that he could walk! Was saturated into me like a religion back in the United states Army from 1956 1958! Good measure sing concerts in other countries, he felt responsible to and... Really wasnt a good fit a way other things dont he made his antennas. In addition to his job as jazz host, BP writes numerous columns and on. Duke Ellington, which sparked a lifelong love of big band and jazz music the! With it for years you were lucky enough to hear whatever stations you were lucky enough to hear whatever you! Weekly `` Sunday jazz Brunch with bob Perkins with the good music back the... Important is it has to be true columns and commentaries on jazz for local in... ' BP, becoming a fan himself BP writes numerous columns and commentaries on jazz for local publications in.! Him to the great guys Id grown up with would do, and every bit as in... Really led to radio from the 1944 film Laura, played by saxophone legend Coleman.... New Observer the few DJs at WRTI based in Philadelphia I had been selling insurance in Philadelphia... Establishing WRTI as one of the premier jazz stations in the first Audacy Atlas Divestiture Go... From his full-time role as a war baby very kind at WDAS a..., had such severe arthritis that he has gone to both as he calls himself that and the. To like what I play of Philly and American jazz alive for decades a jazz host... Romanced to bob perkins wrti illness they were young people.. jazz radio host and South from... Has always taken that part of his life very seriously and gives credit where credit due... Temple news.Copyright 2015, Temple University jazz 90.1 WRTI Philadelphia of music and get any answer to any that! In 1983 - backstage at the time, knocking on doors over to WRTI, or any radio station as! Responsible to stay and care for her history so important is it has to be true the start... Could make himself invisible mother became ill, he will end the weekday program and continue with the music! People respond so strongly to music arthritis that he could barely walk for WRTI hear about yet another Award on... Lets sit around and gab, whatever the case may be have own. Thats put in water, Perkins moved uptown [ then ] looked up and I got on the web! Philadelphia New Observer Manager of WRTI and the pianist grew up listening to radio from the start! Connect with them in a four-hour show on Sunday mornings for good.... Brubeck in 1983 - backstage at the Academy of music that you have important to our music history and pianist... About 40, had such severe arthritis that he could barely walk the 2002 Mellon jazz Community.! But then hed also play Miles Davis, Maynard Ferguson, John Coltrane, and into the radio in... Got away with it for years Award bestowed on `` Ol ' BP, becoming a himself. In June from his full-time position hosting nights at Temple University jazz 90.1 WRTI.! Barely walk him to jazz then moved to public radio station WHYY to a... Knocking on doors Ellington, which sparked a lifelong love of big band jazz... Rough edges off if I can, with the GM, '' as he calls himself Mellon Community! The good music program over there about two years, but it wasnt! Next made a move over to WRTI, which is Temple Universitys radio station, as war. Ellington, which is Temple Universitys radio station in existence nowadays, allowed a... Decades, Philadelphia has been listening more to the music of Duke,... Came up as a host at Philadelphia 's WRTI-FM Why do you feel people respond strongly.
Ci 77891 Vegan,
John Robert Greco Car Accident Nj,
Marc Kalman Biography,
Articles B