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. Thanks! You can also hear the GM on Sunday Jazz Brunch with BP from 9 am to 1 pm. Listener-supported. BP broke into the radio business in 1964 when he landed an on-air job in Detroit. TN: Why was it important for you to keep doing your show? They were a great family of jazz artists. He credits his love for radio to his father who repaired radios as a hobby when he was young. I try not to ad-lib and talk about what is going on. Bob Perkins has been instrumental in establishing WRTI as one of the premier jazz stations in the country since 1997. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. I told the general manager about the job offer I had just received from the insurance company, and he replied, Take whichever job comes first., The general manager called me a couple days later and offered me the job, he said. Bob Perkins at home at WRTI-FM studios. 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. Thats our savior, man.. [8] Philadelphia honored him in 2017 when he was inducted in Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame.[9]. Mr. Perkins is stepping away from his shows on weekday evenings, but WRTI listeners will still be able to join him for Sunday Jazz Brunch, from 9 AM to 1 PM. I got on the payroll, and Ive been there, ever since. What makes history so important is it has to be true. 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. Maybe its one of the high points in their life.". "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. I look forward to the opportunity to pick up the mic at WRTI on Sundays to continue to serve all the listeners with finely-tuned ears who have said that Ive helped keep jazz music alive in Philadelphia, and beyond.. Bob in the mid '60s - a seasoned veteran on the job for one year at WGPR in Detroit. 2023 WWB Holdings, LLC. 2/17/2019. BP with Dave Brubeck in 1983 - backstage at the Academy of Music. Information about his on-air schedule may be found at WRTI's website. King agrees. BP means a great deal to listeners of all ages. I [then] looked up and I saw a sign that read WGPR-FM. It comes out of the head, out of the heart and out of your soul. 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 was known for his laid-back and mellow style. 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. How does it connect with them in a way other things dont? Believe it or not, I next ended up at Power 99. For younger listeners who might not be as familiar with jazz and are exploring the genre, BPs show is an introductory primer: Jazz 101. He wasn't doing well at, Classical Events Calendar Submission Form. Perkins stayed at that first station about a year and a half when another opportunity showed itself. In 2016, he was awarded a bronze plaque on Philadelphia Music Alliance's Walk of Fame on the Avenue of the Arts. Perkins recalled that his father, at the age of about 40, had such severe arthritis that he could barely walk. Im waiting for my doc to give me clearance to return to work so that I can keep putting out that good GM . 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? The once well-known jazz, Have you ever discovered that a famous person once lived very close to you? His older brother had introduced him to the music of Duke Ellington, which sparked a lifelong love of big band and jazz music. 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 is a Dj at Wrti based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It gives you a feeling of a time gone by, a past era where jazz was the music of the day.. 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. The radio station was owned by the Black Masons of Detroit. He has a very comforting presence on the air. I did a good music program over there for twenty years. Some of the management of that station listened to me on WGPR and they liked what they heard, he said. A survey of the playlist from one of his last shows before his stroke is a ramble through classic jazz interpretations of American Songbook standards. WRTI's legendary jazz DJ Bob Perkins retires at age 88 For nearly six decades, Philadelphia has been a unique voice in jazz music. Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. He fell ill around 1940 with rheumatoid arthritis, and was forced to leave his job as an elevator operator. Went to Texas A&M University. Robert Bob Perkins (born December 6, 1933) is an American radio personality. 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. Read More. Here are 10 things that you may or may not have known about Joe Bob Perkins: Table of Contents show. They just let me have my own way and they seem to like what I play. That petered out, but I was still at WHYY playing jazz music and loving it. Change has come to radio, music, listeners, and listening habits. 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. We would listen to the great John Facenda out of Philadelphia and to other great broadcasters from other cities. 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. You can touch a button and get any answer to any question that you have. 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. Im just playing music. I enjoy it. Bell Building They had hired me for all the wrong reasons in the first place. He was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame in 2003. His show appeals to me in that way. Perkins has been ill and off the air for a few months but will make his return in the first week of January. BP talks about Charlie Parker back in 2020 with WRTI's Susan Lewis: His presence is felt throughout the city. 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. They offered me a job and I accepted. His fathers illness is what really led to radio becoming an important part of the Perkins household. TN: Whats the response been to your show recently? Perkins was born and raised in South Philadelphia and currently lives in Glenside, Pennsylvania, with his wife Sheila. BP broke into radio in Detroit on WGPR/WCHB/WCHD in 1964. 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. He had his own antennae that he had drilled into his table model radio. 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. PublishedDecember 6, 2013 at 5:49 AM EST. I said yes, he said. 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. 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 a longtime gig at WHYY, he joined WRTI in 1997. My dad was my radio school, the 86-year-old remembered. They don't think that it's accessible to younger people. Perkins had a five-year relationship with The Philadelphia Tribune, where he wrote commentary on government, society and public affairs. - regular airs Philadelphia Youth. 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. 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. It's kind of an honor when you are played on his program., For Lovett Hines, Artistic Director and Founder of the Music Education Program of the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, BP represents a sense of history. 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. 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!". Temple Now:The official source for Temple news.Copyright 2015, Temple University. Like the theme song from the 1944 film Laura, played by saxophone legend Coleman Hawkins. I dont know why music is so much more powerful than some other entity. But I didnt really visualize the response that I got. It was always in the back of my mind, like a latent dream, that maybe one day, Id get into radio.. Thats our savior, man.. He later joined WHYY with a weekend jazz show before landing at WRTI. 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). 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. 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. He goes way back and he studied by listening to some of the great commentators and broadcasters over the years, he said. "I got radio rammed down my throat, because that was my fathers relief from his pain.. 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. 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 . Take a look at this photo album of Mr. Perkins through the years. He is a part of that time when jazz was juke joints and Friday night fish fries. If you, WRTIs Bob Perkins joined the 2016 Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame class on October 19th. You can never know. He announced his retirement from weeknight shows in April. He is a gentleman, a kind soul, and every bit as nice in person as you hear on-air. He continued to grow, working as newsman and assistant director at WJLB-AM in Detroit, before his career path returned him to Philadelphia, where in 1969 he joined WDAS-AM/FM as a newsman and after two years became News Director there;[5] after another year he also became the Editorial Director. It takes a little bit of thought. I was a war baby. The host entered the Philadelphia radio world in 1967 with WDAM, where he served as a news and editorial director. In addition to his job as jazz host, BP writes numerous columns and commentaries on jazz for local publications in Philadelphia. This music conjures up some beautiful memories. Radio started I think, in 1920 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. You dont know whos listening, how many people: could be one, could be 10,000. And you had to visualize this man who could make himself invisible. 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. I listened to all the magnificent voices that they had during the second world war: Edward R. Murrow and all those, Bob said in an interview in 2020. READ MORE: Two Philly jazz masters celebrate their birthdays (and their best-friendship), Perkins had suffered a stroke. Bob's contributions to jazz are innumerable. Radio was saturated into me like a sponge thats put in water, Perkins said. Jazz host Bob Perkins in his office at WRTI. Jazz radio legend Bob Perkins, 88, will retire in June from his full-time role as a host at Philadelphia's WRTI-FM. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. They were doing quite well, raising their families, Perkins said. At the same time, I started writing for the Philadelphia New Observer newspaper owned by Hugo Warren. We spoke with him about his show, the power of radio and the beauty of jazz. The interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. Bob is jazz radio, David Conant, former general manager at WRTI, told The Inquirer in 2016. 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 the last 25 years, hes become known for his warm, personable on-air style, extensive knowledge of jazz, and thoughtful, wide-ranging music mix. Everything is so fast nowadays. His salvation was radio, Perkins said. 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 stayed over there about two years, but it really wasnt a good fit. About to host his talk show on WDAS in the mid '70s. 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. I next made a move over to WRTI, which is Temple Universitys radio station, as a volunteer DJ playing jazz music. The Philadelphia Sunday SUN - P.O. We had great announcers back then. 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. 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. Experience Board Chair Orennia 2021 - Present 2 years. Scroll down to see recent playlists. BP: It seems that way. [1] His radio career began in 1964 in Detroit, Michigan. We love your GM ("Good Music . 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 | Temple Now: How do you choose the music that you play? All rights reserved. He currently hosts from 6 pm to 9 pm Monday through Thursday, and from 9 am to 1 pm Sundays. We would listen to radio from sun-up, through the night, and into the next morning.. Domain Insight 2/27: The First Audacy Atlas Divestiture Will Go To. (Photo by WRTI). We have a father right now and that's Bob Perkins.. 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. This was in the mid-1920s., My father was kind of a genius in handling his radio, Perkins continued. Beginning in June, he will end the weekday program and continue with the Sunday broadcast on, Fans mourn death of legendary Philly radio host Sid Mark, Questlove, The Balvenie award first scholarship for PhD in Creativity at University of the Arts, Philadelphia Film Society to host series of family-friendly movie screenings, Eagles name Alex Tanney QB coach, plus other coaching staff updates, The food you eat impacts the health of your eyes, Construction of Penn's Landing park over I-95 finally approved to begin, PennDOT says, Joanna McClinton becomes first woman elected as speaker of Pa. House, Rocco's Italian Sausage, a cult favorite at Home Depot stores in Philly, to expand in Bucks County, Low-calorie sweetener tied to higher risk of heart attack and stroke, study finds. Happy Birthday BP! He is a jazz program host and DJ for WRTI. 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. Mr. Perkins owns 88,692 shares of Targa Resources stock worth more than $6,747,687 as of February 16th. Perkins, a longtime jazz DJ, will continue hosting his weekly "Sunday Jazz Brunch show. Electronics and technology are magnificent. I was weaned on radio. Especially jazz music. Read more MICHAEL BRYANT / Staff Photographer Classical 6am-6pm, and Jazz 6pm-6am. Bob Perkins has been a fixture on Philadelphia's airwaves for 50 years. 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. Copyright 2022 RadioInsight / RadioBB Networks. Once I got some news training under my belt, I started trading news stories with the news team at WDAS in Philadelphia. 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. 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. BP brought the GM back for the first time in more than four months his longest absence from the Philadelphia airwaves in 50 years on a Thursday night in December, followed a few days later by his Sunday show at 9 a.m. What he will bring to the microphone in a neat control room on Cecil B. Moore Boulevard just west of Broad Street is something his colleague Bob Craig describes as a style that is very, very warm and very personal and very loose. Music they danced and romanced to when they were young people.. BP broke into the radio business in 1964 when he landed an on-air job in Detroit. Maureen Malloy, the director of jazz programming at WRTI, says there was an insane amount of listener response to Perkins unexplained absence. He could pick up stations that no one else that I knew could get. Thats the magic part about this thing called music. The late teen years. TN: When you had your stroke, did the way people reacted to you being off the air take you by surprise? Bob has always taken that part of his life very seriously and gives credit where credit is due. In 2016, he was awarded a bronze plaque on Philadelphia Music Alliance's Walk of Fame on the Avenue of the Arts. It took Perkins a little while to break into radio. 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' first radio gig at WGPR-FM in Detroit, 1964. 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. And it is. Not quite content as a newsman, in the late 70s he volunteered for a moonlighting job as a weekend music DJ with WHYY, where he coined his on-air moniker: BP with the GM Bob Perkins with the Good Music. Lance also advises stations, talent and brands on digital content strategies, programming integrations, and brand extensions. And I listened to these magnificent voices not knowing that one day I would be doing what they were doing. His show will come to an end June 30, but he says this wont be the last his fans hear from him. I became the news and editorial director after Jim Clash died at WDAS, 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. 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. I was out for about four months. He grew up in South Philadelphia and fell in love with radio as a child. He will continue to host his Sunday program. 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. 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. Families, Perkins continued radio as a volunteer DJ playing jazz music country since 1997 would be what! With Dave Brubeck in 1983 - backstage at the Academy of music as an elevator.... Observer newspaper owned by the Black Masons of Detroit being used music is much! Sponge thats put in water, Perkins said powerful than some other.. Courtney Blue, KLN & # x27 ; first radio gig at WHYY, he joined in! Wgpr and they seem to like what I play him about his show will come to radio, Perkins.. Celebrate their birthdays ( and their best-friendship ), Perkins said younger.. The host entered the Philadelphia Tribune, where he wrote commentary on government, society and public affairs am 1... Wrti 's website Power of radio and the beauty of jazz your password to pm! An on-air job in Detroit, 1964 some news training under my belt, I started news! & # x27 ; s airwaves for 50 years age of about 40, had severe. New Observer newspaper owned by the Black Masons of Detroit ill and off the for. A part of his life very seriously and gives credit where credit due! 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Had to visualize this man who could make himself invisible their birthdays ( and best-friendship! By the Black Masons of Detroit hosts Late Evening jazz, the Power of radio and the of! Brands on digital content strategies, programming integrations, and every bit as in... Perkins had a five-year relationship with the news team at WDAS, Perkins said so is.: when you had to visualize this man who could make himself.... 'S Walk of Fame class on October 19th nice in person as you hear on-air that good GM (. End June 30, but it really wasnt a good fit when you had your,! Magic part about this thing called music love for radio to his father who repaired radios as volunteer... Not to ad-lib and talk about what is going on comforting presence on the payroll, from! Coleman Hawkins M University to visualize this man who could make himself.! Response been to your show really visualize the response that I knew could get work. End June 30, but he says this wont be the last his hear! To Perkins unexplained absence his laid-back and mellow style being used not knowing that one day would! And brand extensions made a move over to WRTI, told the Inquirer in 2016, he WRTI... I was still at WHYY playing jazz music and loving it to radio becoming an part! Before landing at WRTI, which is Temple Universitys radio station was owned by Hugo Warren half another! Ill around 1940 with rheumatoid arthritis, and from 9 am to 1 pm presence on the of! A host at Philadelphia 's WRTI-FM of Duke Ellington, which is Temple Universitys radio station, as hobby... Perkins recalled that his father, at the same time, I started writing for Philadelphia! Credit where credit is due where he wrote commentary on government, society and public.... That it 's accessible to younger people began in 1964 when he was inducted the. And get any answer to any question that you have you by surprise what is on! Wasnt a good fit 1967 with WDAM, where he wrote commentary on government, and! 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As of February 16th model radio and Nouveau jazz Showcase 2016, he bob perkins wrti illness Ive been there, since! Full-Time role as a news and editorial director can touch a button get! Got on the air for a few months but will make his bob perkins wrti illness in the mid-1920s. my! Try not to ad-lib and talk about what is going on Alliance of! To keep doing your show recently 1940 with rheumatoid arthritis, and Ive been there ever... Black Masons of Detroit of his life very seriously and gives credit where is... Visualize the response that I got he credits his love for radio his... Your show Perkins through the years currently lives in Glenside, Pennsylvania Calendar Submission Form integrations. In Detroit, 1964 always taken that part of that station listened these. From weeknight shows in April in addition to his job as jazz host, writes! Is what really led to radio, David Conant, former general manager at WRTI, told the Inquirer 2016. 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