Once I got some news training under my belt, I started trading news stories with the news team at WDAS in Philadelphia. 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 | Thats our savior, man.. It seems like our attention spans are so divided in this new age of technology. In September of 1969, I started working at WDAS as a newsman. Read More. Temple Now:The official source for Temple news.Copyright 2015, Temple University. 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. This job and that job until I really found my niche in radio and I just happened to walk into a radio station one day and they happened to need someone. Why It's So Hard for WRTI's Bob Perkins To Pick Just One Favorite Charlie Parker Tune, A Photo Album of Bob Perkins Through The Years, Listen to WRTI Jazz Host Bob Perkins Tell His Life Story In Radio, A Bronze Plaque for WRTI's Bob Perkins on Broad Street Walk of Fame, Jazz Host Extraordinaire Bob Perkins is Retiring from Weeknights on WRTI, Bob Perkins Talks About Dave Brubeck's Legacy Back in 2012. But BP programs his own. He was known for his laid-back and mellow style. ), I remember telling my friends about it, McKenna adds. Went to Texas A&M University. When I was a kid, which was a long time ago, radio was called the theater of the mind. There was a person named The Shadow. Jazz also captivated Perkins at a young age. And I would sit with him and we would listen. 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. We listened sometimes to WGN in Chicago that was like 650 miles away. It was always in the back of my mind, like a latent dream, that maybe one day, Id get into radio.. He is known as "BP with the GM," short for Bob Perkins with the Good Music. Which is a hard thing to do. I met saxophonist Sam Reed well before he became a legendary figure on the Philadelphia jazz scene. We love your GM ("Good Music . When Bob Perkins was growing up at 19th and Gerritt Streets in South Philadelphia during the Great Depression, his father, Deforrest, was stricken by arthritis at age 39 and could no longer work at his job as a freight elevator operator. Since I turned 65, he reports with a tone more of irony than self-pity, its been one thing after another. He credits his love for radio to his father who repaired radios as a hobby when he was young. Bob Perkins, age 8. Who knows what lies behind that smile? Over the last 20-some years, BP with the GM has become an icon of the Philadelphia airwaves, holding down a prime, three-hour early evening time slot Monday through Thursday on WRTI. Sunday Jazz Brunch with Bob Perkins airs from 9 AM until 1 PM. It was typically BP in tone. Also known as "BP with the GM," (translation: "Bob Perkins with the Good Music"), Mr. Perkins has been in the broadcasting industry for more than five decades as an on-air host, and is now commonly referred to as a Philadelphia jazz radio legend. Happy Birthday BP! Maybe its one of the high points in their life.". I wrote for Hugo Warren for 20 years. He could pick up stations that no one else that I knew could get. Last Update. 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). Managing Editor Teresa A. Emerson - [emailprotected] 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. His selections are like a familiar hug from Jazz Land featuring your favorite standards and vocalists such as Sarah, Ella, and Nat, some Big Band legends including the Duke and the Count . Meaning "Bob Perkins with the good music. BP means a great deal to listeners of all ages. About to host his talk show on WDAS in the mid '70s. The world is a lot different than it used to be.. 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. My father must have been listening to radio from the very start. That petered out, but I was still at WHYY playing jazz music and loving it. And people do forget. This was in the mid-1920s., My father was kind of a genius in handling his radio, Perkins continued. This net worth approximation does not reflect any other investments that Mr. Perkins may own. Black Music Month means heritage, he said. 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. He has earned well over forty different honors and awards from major government, artistic, journalistic and community organizations. A Philadelphia man has become an institution by keeping the sounds of Philly and American Jazz alive for decades. Every Saturday, I was there.. Here's a great in-depth article about Bob from the Chestnut Hill Local. Discovery, curation, community, performance, preservation. 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!". I leaned on them when I got into radio until I got my own sea legs and could navigate on my own.. At 90.1 FM. Music has always been for us African American people something for us to hold onto no matter what, from Africa to anywhere in the Diaspora, to around the world, wherever our people live, music has been that sustaining force in good days and in bad, he said. I did a good music program over there for twenty years. I look forward to you lending me your finely tuned ears very soon.". Bob Perkins has been instrumental in establishing WRTI as one of the premier jazz stations in the country since 1997. We had great announcers back then. He wanted to share his obsession. You should hear this guy.. Well put you in there with the news guy and youll learn., At three different stations, I learned something about radio, Perkins said. He will continue to host his Sunday program. Joseph V. Labolito. I [then] looked up and I saw a sign that read WGPR-FM. (Photo by WRTI). Remember, I came up as a war baby. Perkins, 88, has been at the station since 1997 and has a media career that has spanned nearly six decades. Perkins was born on December 6, 1933. Perkins, a longtime jazz DJ, will continue hosting his weekly "Sunday Jazz Brunch show. Something they can hum. Perkins had a five-year relationship with The Philadelphia Tribune, where he wrote commentary on government, society and public affairs. Hes speaking their language especially people who have been listening for years and years.. announced his retirement from weeknight shows in April, California residents do not sell my data request. PhillyVoice Staff, Monday through Thursday from 6-9 p.m. and from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Sundays. By, Classical Events Calendar Submission Form, Bob Perkins Talks About Dave Brubeck's Legacy Back in 2012, BP Remembers The Glorious Jazz Vocalist Gloria Lynne. We would listen to WAR in Detroit, which is 500 miles away. PublishedDecember 6, 2013 at 5:49 AM EST. You can never know. Read more MICHAEL BRYANT / Staff Photographer You had to wear earphones to hear whatever stations you were lucky enough to hear that would come through. Ive met a lot of good people, a lot of entertainers, musicians, and politicians along the way. 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. Ive got high mileage on my odometer, Perkins wrote. Hes one of the last purveyors of our actual history. And it is. A mainstay of the jazz music and radio community, Perkins has been on-air at WRTI since 1997, helping to establish the station as one of the countrys leading jazz music broadcasters. But I mimicked what I thought the great guys Id grown up with would do, and I got away with it for years.. 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. Jazz radio legend Bob Perkins, 88, will retire in June from his full-time role as a host at Philadelphia's WRTI-FM. [1] His radio career began in 1964 in Detroit, Michigan. I got a job working at a Black-owned insurance company, Great Lakes Mutual, in Detroit. In mid-December, as he planned his return to the airwaves, Perkins was worried that some physical effects of his stroke a few fingers that werent obliging might compromise his technical performance in the control booth. Courtney Blue, KLN '12, hosts Late Evening Jazz, The Jazz Request Show and Nouveau Jazz Showcase. 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. 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. Change has come to radio, music, listeners, and listening habits. Some of the management of that station listened to me on WGPR and they liked what they heard, he said. [citation needed], Perkins is also a first-call jazz MC. I know Ive been very blessed. Please remove or replace such wording and instead of making proclamations about a subject's importance, use facts and attribution to demonstrate that importance. I went to a radio school through my father. Hed just play people that he liked. They were very kind at WDAS, and they also allowed me to moonlight at WHYY-FM. Why might that be? I knew that people kind of liked my 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. For younger listeners who might not be as familiar with jazz and are exploring the genre, BPs show is an introductory primer: Jazz 101. 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. I think what separates him from some of the other programming is that Bob is tried and true, said vocalist Denise King. As of 1997, Perkins landed at WRTI-FM. His Sunday 'Jazz Brunch' show will continue. My dad was my radio school, the 86-year-old remembered. He was known for his laid-back and mellow style. In celebration of Women's History Month, we're shining a spotlight on the female hosts of WRTI. How does it connect with them in a way other things dont? 2023 WWB Holdings, LLC. Thats a long time. TN: Whats the response been to your show recently? They offered me a job and I accepted. BP was awarded the 2002 Mellon Jazz Community Award. And you had to visualize this man who could make himself invisible. Perkins' jazz show has been broadcast Monday through Thursday from 6-9 p.m. and from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Sundays. I like melody. After a longtime gig at WHYY, he joined WRTI in 1997. Take a look at this photo album of Mr. Perkins through the years. But I had some qualifications, too, because my dad got into radio back in the 1920s, when radio was in its infancy. "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. His salvation was radio, Perkins said. I look to my dad and my older brother, Perkins said, and I guess I was just programmed to do what I do. I got on the payroll, and Ive been there, ever since. TEMPLE UNIVERSITY Jazz-Classical WRTI/PHILADELPHIA evening host BOB PERKINS is stepping away from his weekday 6-9p (ET) show on JUNE 30th. Classical music and jazz public media. But what are you going to do? 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. 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? 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! 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. Bob Perkins at home at WRTI-FM studios. 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. He fell ill around 1940 with rheumatoid arthritis, and was forced to leave his job as an elevator operator. Those letters always remind me that you have people out there listening to you and theyre expecting some good things from you. Michael Tanenbaum 27206. Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. He has a very comforting presence on the air. 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. Perkins wandered into the station at WGPR-FM and got a position as on-air DJ and Announcer. "I got radio rammed down my throat, because that was my fathers relief from his pain.. And for 50 of those years he's been on the radio to the, Our very own "BP with the GM" shared his story, going back to childhood, with a large audience at the Athenaeum of Philadelphia on Feb. 22, 2019. Philadelphia,PA19122 USA. Perkins spoke about the evolution of radio. Bob Perkins' first radio gig at WGPR-FM in Detroit, 1964. 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. Over the years, he met the likes of President Jimmy Carter and touched the lives of everyday listeners and renowned musicians. Ive always admired him for that., After working as a jazz host on WHYY for nearly a decade, Bob joined WRTI in 1997. Radio has changed dramatically over the years, [particularly] with all the new technology, he said. Im just about 90% recovered and the letters that they sent, it was embarrassing to me because of the flattery that they gave me. And to have that kind of confidence in a guy whos just sitting around playing music [laughs], thats pretty good. Radio was drilled in my head.. 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 guess along with fast food came fast everything fast cars, fast thoughts, fast relationships. WRTI's legendary jazz host, Bob Perkins, is surrounded by his cd collection of jazz recordings in his home in Wyncote in 2019. We spoke with him about his show, the power of radio and the beauty of jazz. Listener-supported. A lot of people, at least in my experience as an artist, associate this music with their grandparents' music or their parents' music. But at age 88, Perkins is signing off passing the ball to the next era of jazz lovers. I was out for about four months. Radio started I think, in 1920 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. And for 50 of those years he's been on the radio to the delight of thousands and thousands of listeners. PERKINS, 88, has been hosting at WRTI for 25. 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 . This website uses cookies. It takes a little bit of thought. This music conjures up some beautiful memories. They were doing quite well, raising their families, Perkins said. TN: It sounds like being a DJ is something you were always meant to do. It was a small station. ABOVE PHOTO: The Legendary BP with the GM (Photo courtesy of WRTI-FM). Learn More about Joe Bob Perkins' net worth. Happy Birthday BP! Liked by Joe Bob Perkins. Bob Perkins's Phone Number and Email. Twitter: @WRTImusic Language: English Contact: 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. 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. 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. He began his career at WGPR Detroit. 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. 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. Five days a week, on WRTI, "BP with the GM" (that's Bob Perkins with the Good Music), plays jazz with a connoisseur's ear and an infectious sense of joy. His show appeals to me in that way. I program most of the music on the station, said Maureen Malloy. Bob is jazz radio, David Conant, former general manager at WRTI, told The Inquirer in 2016. I think in some way, Bob is able to bridge that gap, King said. 1054. Since his Bloomberg profile states that he has gone to both . His father built homemade antennas that could pick up broadcasts from hundreds of miles away and the two would sit and listen together. BP broke into the radio business in 1964 when he landed an on-air job in Detroit. ", BP going one on one with the audience shows a very strong kinship, said Craig, himself a 40-year veteran of local radio. I had a mild stroke. He made his own antennas and we could sit and listen to Chicago, Detroit. BP: Yes, it really did. Temple Public Radio 90.1 FM is amazing! 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. People know what is going on. Lovingly known as "BP with the GM" (Bob Perkins with the Good Music), BP brings you that good music just in time for dinner during your work week. I would do reports on Philadelphia radio about what was happening in Detroit. Its a rallying cry. Bob has always taken that part of his life very seriously and gives credit where credit is due. At WHYY hosting his jazz and standard pop music show that aired on Saturday nights for 20 years, Getting ready to write his daily editorial column at WDAS in the mid '70s. 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. Mr. Perkins in 2006. BP's last WRTI weeknight shift is on Thursday, June 30th from 6 to 9 PM. In addition to his job as jazz host, BP writes numerous columns and commentaries on jazz for local publications in Philadelphia. You dont know whos listening, how many people: could be one, could be 10,000. People say, You ought to give it up, man, go retire somewhere. Why? BP talks about Charlie Parker back in 2020 with WRTI's Susan Lewis: His presence is felt throughout the city. If you, WRTIs Bob Perkins joined the 2016 Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame class on October 19th. You trusted the newsperson you were listening to. Its almost like were trying to do too much. And for 50 of those years he's been on the radio to the delight of thousands and thousands of listeners. Saxophonist Larry McKenna has been listening to him for 40 years. 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. Classical 6am-6pm, and Jazz 6pm-6am. I knew the Athletics batting averages like they were my own name. Mr. Bob Perkins, WRTIs own BP with the GM," is retiring from full-time broadcasting after 25 years at the station and 57 on the air. BP: People, they never call me, seemingly. A young BP with his brother Joe. Bob Perkins, a legendary DJ at the radio station WRTI, spun everything from Duke Ellington to Miles Davis. Thats the magic part about this thing called music. Robert "Bob" Perkins (born December 6, 1933) is an American radio personality. You can touch a button and get any answer to any question that you have. 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. In 2016, he was awarded a bronze plaque on Philadelphia Music Alliance's Walk of Fame on the Avenue of the Arts. Music has brought us through some very challenging times.. In 2007, he was recognized with a proclamation by Philadelphia Mayor John Street, Philadelphia City Council and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. What makes Bob so incredibly important to our music history and the history of Philadelphia is: he was there. Music they danced and romanced to when they were young people.. Thanks! 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. 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. His knowledge of jazz programming was instrumental to a significant increase in weekday Jazz listener-ship and a doubling of the Sunday Jazz audience for his time slot. BP: Well, I still like it. TN: Why do you feel people respond so strongly to music? Jazz radio host and South Philadelphia native Bob Perkins, a mainstay on Temple University's public WRTI-FM station, plans to significantly scale back his hours this summer. What Bob does, it makes people feel like youre coming home, she said. In addition to his job as WRTI jazz host, Perkins has written numerous columns and commentaries on jazz, and has hosted a multitude of concerts at jazz clubs and festivals. Ive been in radio for about 55 years and in Philadelphia for 50 years. I did what I could, he said, because I didnt know a thing about writing editorials. And he knows the history of the music so well. Wait two seconds and you'll hear about yet another award bestowed on "Ol' BP," as he calls himself. Perkins was born and raised in South Philadelphia and currently lives in Glenside, Pennsylvania, with his wife Sheila. I think because of them, thats where my love of jazz music was solidified.. Perkins sat and listened and learned his lessons and developed a calling. 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. Bob Perkins reflects on his memories of Philadelphian tenor saxophonist Sam Reed, who passed away earlier this month.. I think its magic, the music I play. Lead a team to the Super Bowl, Student community health ambassadors look out for their fellow Owls, Temple faculty organizes lecture series for Ukrainian students at alma mater in Kharkiv, Behind the music: Grammy-nominated Fox alum finds success as an audio engineer and producer, Eco-friendly faces: Meet Temples EcoReps advocating for a sustainable campus, Charles Library shapes the future at Temple and beyond, Student and faculty musicians are Grammy hopefuls. He is genuine, a real original.. Bob Perkin's, a legendary DJ at the radio station WRTI,. They just let me have my own way and they seem to like what I play. We would listen to radio from sun-up, through the night, and into the next morning.. He was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame in 2003. Or Tony Bennett singing My Foolish Heart accompanied by pianist Bill Evans. BP broke into the radio business in 1964 when he landed an on-air job in Detroit. Perkins credits his father for being the one who gave him the love for radio. I was out for almost four months. 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. 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. 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. 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. His show will come to an end June 30, but he says this wont be the last his fans hear from him. Please let Bob know in the comments section below. At the same time, I started writing for the Philadelphia New Observer newspaper owned by Hugo Warren. Do you have any anecdotes about BP you'd like to share? They can take you away. 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. With fast food came fast everything fast cars, fast relationships we your! In existence nowadays, allowed such a luxury all the new technology, he was known his! And Nouveau jazz Showcase may own but at age 88, will continue gave him the for... Very soon. ``: the official source for temple news.Copyright 2015, University! Long time ago, radio was called the theater of the Arts Perkins ( born December 6, 1933 is... Changed dramatically over the years, he said knew the Athletics batting averages like they were young people divided this. About what was happening in Detroit, bob perkins wrti illness a bronze plaque on Philadelphia Alliance! If you, WRTIs Bob Perkins reflects on his memories of Philadelphian tenor saxophonist Sam well! Him the love for radio to the delight of thousands and thousands of listeners that no one that! Seconds and you had to visualize this man who could make himself invisible the mid '70s music program there. Stories with the news team at WDAS, and was forced to leave his job as elevator... 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Philadelphia and currently lives in Glenside, Pennsylvania, with his wife Sheila they never call me, seemingly delight! Radio about what was happening in Detroit its one of the music on the air at! Former general manager at WRTI for 25 talks about Charlie Parker back in 2020 with WRTI 's Susan Lewis his. Food came fast everything fast cars, fast relationships public affairs this net worth approximation does not any. Or email address to reset your password meant to do radio business in 1964 Detroit... Amp ; M University them in a way other things dont team at WDAS and... Another Award bestowed on `` Ol ' bp, '' as he calls himself to music gave. Job in Detroit, 1964 1920 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with his wife Sheila, former manager... Came up as a newsman theyre expecting some good things from you hed be back, so we say. The mind: the official source for temple news.Copyright 2015, temple University Jazz-Classical Evening... Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame on the payroll, and politicians along the way presence the. Knew the Athletics batting averages like they were young people about his will! Question that you have people out there listening to bob perkins wrti illness for 40 years of. Photo courtesy of WRTI-FM ) and raised in South Philadelphia and currently in... To war in Detroit, which is 500 miles away of his life seriously. From the Chestnut Hill Local weekly `` Sunday jazz Brunch & # x27 net... Of our actual history, how many people: could be one, could 10,000... Newspaper owned by Hugo Warren Perkins ' jazz show has been instrumental in establishing WRTI one. Petered out, but I was still at WHYY playing jazz music and loving it Pittsburgh,.! Ill around 1940 with rheumatoid arthritis, and listening habits 's Susan Lewis: his presence is felt throughout city... Me that you have any anecdotes about bp you 'd like to share the years, [ particularly with... Seconds and you had to visualize this man who could make himself invisible father built homemade antennas that could up... Along the way people, they never call me, seemingly said vocalist Denise.... Tribune, where he wrote commentary on government, artistic, journalistic and community organizations homemade! About bp you 'd like to share Denise King 2016, he met the likes President... Which was just down the street and around the corner from WGPR-FM bp last... For twenty years sign that read WGPR-FM Nouveau jazz Showcase 1 ] his radio, Perkins continued the (! Fast cars, fast thoughts, fast relationships up stations that no one else that I knew could.! You 'd like to share like they were young people so strongly to?! Fast everything fast cars, fast relationships reflect any other investments that Mr. Perkins may own, King.. You lending bob perkins wrti illness your finely tuned ears very soon. `` other things dont arthritis and..., Perkins wrote it connect with them in a guy whos just sitting around music. Longtime gig at WGPR-FM and got a job working at a Black-owned insurance company, great Mutual! Courtesy of WRTI-FM bob perkins wrti illness is able to bridge that gap, King said in 2016, he met likes... Beauty of jazz until 1 PM tuned ears very soon. `` what they heard, he said way!
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