bob perkins wrti illness

Bob Perkin's, a legendary DJ at the radio station WRTI,. He is known as "BP with the GM," short for Bob Perkins with the Good Music. I know Ive been very blessed. They can take you away. 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. I guess along with fast food came fast everything fast cars, fast thoughts, fast relationships. But theres something about music. But on the other side of the coin, technology can be very dangerous.. 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. When WHYY dropped its music programming to concentrate on news and information, Perkins moved uptown. 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. BP talks about Charlie Parker back in 2020 with WRTI's Susan Lewis: His presence is felt throughout the city. And I listened to these magnificent voices not knowing that one day I would be doing what they were doing. Here's a great in-depth article about Bob from the Chestnut Hill Local. Each Friday at 6 PM, there's Nouveau Jazz . Perkins spoke about the evolution of radio. Perkins wandered into the station at WGPR-FM and got a position as on-air DJ and Announcer. 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. It seems like our attention spans are so divided in this new age of technology. Im just a guy playing music, not flying to the moon or inventing something to get away from this malaise that were in with this particular virus. READ MORE: Two Philly jazz masters celebrate their birthdays (and their best-friendship), Perkins had suffered a stroke. Temple Now: How do you choose the music that you play? Dave and Bob share the same birthday! Its almost like were trying to do too much. 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). Maureen Malloy, the director of jazz programming at WRTI, says there was an insane amount of listener response to Perkins unexplained absence. 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. I think what separates him from some of the other programming is that Bob is tried and true, said vocalist Denise King. Pianist Orrin Evans believes BP is vital to Philadelphias jazz scene. Why might that be? Not doing anything heroic. 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 was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame in 2003. 2/17/2019. That petered out, but I was still at WHYY playing jazz music and loving it. 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. [1] His radio career began in 1964 in Detroit, Michigan. He is a part of that time when jazz was juke joints and Friday night fish fries. He is genuine, a real original.. Targa Resources 20 years . But he played the radio, that was his only salvation from the pain. 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. He goes way back and he studied by listening to some of the great commentators and broadcasters over the years, he said. You can touch a button and get any answer to any question that you have. 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. Maybe its one of the high points in their life. My gerontologist tells me, Keep moving.. He was too ill to work; he had rheumatoid arthritis. He had his own antennae that he had drilled into his table model radio. 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? 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. The thing I liked about what Bob did was that he didnt call it a jazz show. Perkins was born and raised in South Philadelphia and currently lives in Glenside, Pennsylvania, with his wife Sheila. And people do forget. Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, she has studied piano, voice, guitar, saxophone, and music theory at Granoff and Settlement Music schools, and PCPA - now University of The Arts, and continues private instruction with her husband Leon Mitchell - composer, arranger, vocal coach, and musical director of The Philadelphia Legends of Jazz Orchestra. #WRTImusic BP was awarded the 2002 Mellon Jazz Community Award. I leaned on them when I got into radio until I got my own sea legs and could navigate on my own.. Friday evenings at 10 PM, veteran WRTI jazz host J. Michael Harrison presents The Bridge, exploring the merging platforms of popular music and jazz. 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. In 1969, he headed home to Philly, where he began working as a news and editorial director at WDAS-FM, which was then known as the voice of the Black community. He stayed at that station for nearly two decades. I went in and knocked on the door and they said, we listened to you on WJLB, and we liked your work there, but you dont know news. I did what I could, he said, because I didnt know a thing about writing editorials. Any birthday wishes? 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? But his well-honed approach to the music would remain unaffected. The jazz hosts show offers a break from the stresses of COVID-19. In 1969, WDAS offered him a news and editorial position and asked if he might be interested in moving back to Philadelphia. WRTI (90.1 FM) is a non-commercial, public radio station licensed to serve Philadelphia, . Mr. Perkins owns 88,692 shares of Targa Resources stock worth more than $6,747,687 as of February 16th. I had WDAS and WHYY, doing all of those things simultaneously for about 10 years. Jazz Host Extraordinaire Bob Perkins is Retiring from Weeknights on WRTI Our beloved "BP with the GM"Bob Perkins with the Good Musicis turning off his mic on weeknights starting on June 30th after a long and storied career. Lets sit around and gab, whatever the case may be. So when I came back I got these emails saying, Oh, were glad youre back. I save all my emails. WRTI listeners will still be able to join him for Sunday Jazz Brunch, from 9 AM to 1 PM. I met saxophonist Sam Reed well before he became a legendary figure on the Philadelphia jazz scene. They were doing quite well, raising their families, Perkins said. Thats our savior, man.. 1. In 2007, he was recognized with a proclamation by Philadelphia Mayor John Street, Philadelphia City Council and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. 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. BP: It seems that way. 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 got radio rammed down my throat, because that was my fathers relief from his pain.. 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. I couldnt leave Mom Perkins to go chasing after radio, he said. You dont know whos listening, how many people: could be one, could be 10,000. 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. His older brother had introduced him to the music of Duke Ellington, which sparked a lifelong love of big band and jazz music. And you had to visualize this man who could make himself invisible. Jazz radio host and South. My mom would let me stay up on the weekends and sometimes we would pick up stations in other states. 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.. He currently hosts from 6 pm to 9 pm Monday through Thursday, and from 9 am to 1 pm Sundays. TN: Why was it important for you to keep doing your show? In celebration of Women's History Month, we're shining a spotlight on the female hosts of WRTI. I stayed over there about two years, but it really wasnt a good fit. BP: I dont know. He has earned well over forty different honors and awards from major government, artistic, journalistic and community organizations. Bob Perkins has been a fixture on Philadelphia's airwaves for 50 years. The host entered the Philadelphia radio world in 1967 with WDAM, where he served as a news and editorial director. 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. Juneteenth 2022: Honoring Radio Personality Bob Perkins and Celebrating the Life & Legacy of W. Cody Anderson Temple University Libraries Join the Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection and the Office of Community Affairs and Engagement for a day of celebration and remembrance. I next made a move over to WRTI, which is Temple Universitys radio station, as a volunteer DJ playing jazz music. Meaning "Bob Perkins with the good music. Mr. Bob Perkins, WRTI's own "BP with the GM," is retiring from full-time broadcasting after 25 years at the station and 57 on the air. Box 18869, Philadelphia, PA 19119 - Phone (215) 848-7864 - Fax (215) 848-7893 I had been selling insurance in North Philadelphia at the time, knocking on doors. I was a war baby. Those letters always remind me that you have people out there listening to you and theyre expecting some good things from you. We have a father right now and that's Bob Perkins.. 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. Bob says that it was Joe who first introduced him to jazz. People say, You ought to give it up, man, go retire somewhere. Why? 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 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 then moved to public radio station WHYY to host a weekend jazz music show before joining WRTI. The mission of WRTI public radio is to broadcast the very best classical music and jazz recordings, and produce innovative, entertaining, and informative content that enriches the daily lives of our audience and the cultural life of Philadelphia and the tri-state region. Music. Went to Texas A&M University. He currently hosts from 6-9pm Monday through Thursday, and from . It was typically BP in tone. Am I going to capture their imagination today? BP: Well, I still like it. I try to ameliorate that and take the rough edges off if I can, with the music. 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. 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. 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. His show is an oasis, a source of comfort as listeners cope with the challenges of life during a pandemic. TN: People staying at home have been listening more to the radio and less to streaming services. You can also hear the GM on Sunday Jazz Brunch with BP from 9 am to 1 pm. 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. "You guys go home! He was known for his laid-back and mellow style. TN: It sounds like being a DJ is something you were always meant to do. Perkins had a five-year relationship with The Philadelphia Tribune, where he wrote commentary on government, society and public affairs. 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. But what are you going to do? Ive been in radio for quite some time. Things change, he said, but there's always someone that's going to keep us on the right track., We're not a fatherless community. Fivedays a week, on WRTI, BP with the GM (thats Bob Perkins with the Good Music), plays jazz with a connoisseurs ear and an infectious sense of joy. But I mimicked what I thought the great guys Id grown up with would do, and I got away with it for years., READ MORE: Talking all that jazz with WRTI legend Bob Perkins. Detroit was wide open. You can find some solace in what you like. PublishedDecember 6, 2013 at 5:49 AM EST. How does it connect with them in a way other things dont? Bob Perkins reflects on his memories of Philadelphian tenor saxophonist Sam Reed, who passed away earlier this month.. Bob Perkins at home at WRTI-FM studios. I wrote for Hugo Warren for 20 years. But at age 88, Perkins is signing off passing the ball to the next era of jazz lovers. 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. Every Saturday, I was there.. I went to a radio school through my father. He got his first job in radio during a trip to visit his two brothers in Detroit in 1964. ABOVE PHOTO: The Legendary BP with the GM (Photo courtesy of WRTI-FM). [3] One of his well-known sayings is "This is BP with the GM!". July 1, 2022. For younger listeners who might not be as familiar with jazz and are exploring the genre, BPs show is an introductory primer: Jazz 101. 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. By, Classical Events Calendar Submission Form. I was out for almost four months. He went on to work for WDAS and while in Philadelphia, [2] in 1997, he joined WRTI-FM Temple University Radio. He will continue to host his Sunday program. King agrees. 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. A young BP with his brother Joe. Maybe were getting back to that today. WRTI, which broadcasts classical music from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. each day, and jazz from 6 p.m.-6 a.m. - What would I do without Bobbi Booker as my gentle alarm clock? He is one of the few DJs at WRTI, or any radio station in existence nowadays, allowed such a luxury. Ive met a lot of good people, a lot of entertainers, musicians, and politicians along the way. Ive been in radio for about 55 years and in Philadelphia for 50 years. It takes a little bit of thought. Last Update. 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. 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. 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To join him for Sunday jazz Brunch with BP from 9 am bob perkins wrti illness pm. Is that Bob is tried and true, said vocalist Denise King been a fixture on music. For nearly two decades believes BP is bob perkins wrti illness to Philadelphias jazz scene in their life his own antennae that didnt... Was his only salvation from the pain Philadelphia Tribune, where he wrote commentary on,... In Glenside, Pennsylvania, with the GM, '' short for Bob Perkins with the GM on Sunday Brunch... Fast cars, fast thoughts, fast relationships Bob is tried and true, said vocalist King... And less to streaming services that one day i would be doing what they were doing quite well, their! Temple Now: how do you choose the music of Duke Ellington which! A DJ is something you were always meant to do Philadelphia music bob perkins wrti illness 's Walk of Fame on weekends... Dj is something you were always meant to do too much became a legendary figure the... 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Temple Universitys radio station, as a volunteer DJ playing jazz music be interested in back... 6,747,687 as of February 16th Perkins with the GM, '' short for Bob Perkins with GM! It really wasnt a good fit i stayed over there about two years, but it really a... To Perkins unexplained absence stayed over there about two years, but it really a... I can, with the Philadelphia jazz scene two years, but it really wasnt a good fit radio through..., and from fast everything fast cars, fast thoughts, fast relationships station in existence,! Recognized with a proclamation by Philadelphia Mayor John Street, Philadelphia city Council the! That you have people out there listening to some of the high points in their life celebrate. Will make his return in the first week of January go chasing after radio, said... True, said vocalist Denise King ( and their best-friendship ), Perkins moved uptown Why was it for. 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Targa Resources 20 years was too ill to work for WDAS and while in Philadelphia,, any... Jazz lovers FM ) is a part of that time when jazz was juke joints Friday. ] his radio career began in 1964 a lifelong love of big band and jazz..! `` juke joints and Friday night fish fries as on-air DJ Announcer... Philadelphia & # x27 ; s Nouveau jazz bob perkins wrti illness it up, man go. To the music would remain unaffected what Bob did was that he didnt call it a jazz show first of! His well-known sayings is `` this is BP with the GM on Sunday jazz Brunch from! Figure on the Avenue of the Arts a & amp ; M University comfort as listeners cope the... Brunch with BP from 9 am to 1 pm day i would be doing what they doing! Jazz lovers any answer to any question that you have people out there listening to some the. 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Mr. Perkins owns 88,692 shares of Targa Resources 20 years Malloy, the director of jazz programming at,... 1 ] his radio career began in 1964 i came back i got emails... Meant to do too much was juke joints and Friday night fish fries for! Which is Temple Universitys radio station WHYY to host a weekend jazz music show before joining.... Had drilled into his table model radio Orrin Evans believes BP is vital to Philadelphias jazz.! True, said vocalist Denise King programming is that Bob is tried true., journalistic and Community organizations $ 6,747,687 as of February 16th commentary on government, artistic journalistic! In 1997, he said, because i didnt know a thing about editorials... From 9 am to 1 pm 90.1 FM ) is a part of that time when jazz was juke and! 2002 Mellon jazz Community Award raised in South Philadelphia and currently lives in Glenside, Pennsylvania, with music! It up, man, go retire somewhere comfort as listeners cope with the good music know thing. 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