Philadelphia native
Jerry Blavat, the famed "Geator with the Heator," returns to the Kimmel Center this month for a biannual nostalgia-fueled event.
"The Early Days of Rock and Roll" sees Motown and classic R&B acts take the stage for one night of oldies hits led by one of the golden era's greatest DJs.
Blavat was born and raised in South Philly, bursting onto the teen music scene as a dancer on the original, pre-Dick Clark "Bandstand" with Bob Horn in 1954 and then as the road manager for Danny and the Juniors. In the '60s Blavat became a DJ at Camden-based radio station WCAM. He grew to be so popular as the "Geator with the Heator" and "the Boss with the Hot Sauce" that he began hosting a televised music show similar to "Bandstand" called "The Discophonic Scene."
In the years since, Blavat helped popularize R&B around Philadelphia, opened a dance club down the shore called
Memories and has become a living legend. Twice a year he graces the Kimmel Center stage with longtime pals for a night of performances. This time, he'll host Mel Carter, Jimmy Clanton, Gene Chandler, Lloyd Price, Maxine Brown and Chuck Jackson with a 30-piece orchestra.
These stars helped originate the Motown sound with songs like
"Duke of Earl," "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me," and
"Stagger Lee." Seeing these legends on stage is a can't-miss event for fans of old-school tunes and Blavat, as well as music history enthusiasts. Until then, hear the Geator every Saturday night from 6 to 7 p.m. on
WXPN.
Saturday, January 24
8 p.m.| $41-100
The Kimmel Center300 S. Broad St.
(215) 893-1999
