American disc jockey and performer Jerry Blavat reportedly died on January 20, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States following complications from myasthenia gravis and related health issues. He was 82.
Born July 3, 1940 in Philadelphia, Blavat came into the spotlight in 1952 as a dancer on American Bandstand then hosted by Bob Horn.
In 1956, he managed a national tour for Danny and the Juniors, and he worked as Don Rickles’ valet from 1958 to 1959.
Blavat commenced his radio career in 1960 and by 1963, he was syndicated in Atlantic City, Trenton, Camden, Pottstown & Allentown Pennsylvania, and Wilmington, Delaware.
The self-promoter introduced many acts in the 1960s to a wide audience, including the Four Seasons and The Isley Brothers.
In 1972, Blavat purchased a nightclub in Margate, New Jersey, and named it “Memories”.
Blavat’s memoir You Only Rock Once — whose title was shortened from one of his favorite sayings: “Keep on rockin’, because you only rock once!” — was published in 2011.
Blavat was inducted into the Philadelphia Music Alliance’s Hall of Fame in 1993, he was featured in permanent exhibit at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame that opened in 1998, and he was honored on the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia’s Hall of Fame in 2002.
In recent months, Blavat had curtailed his always-busy schedule, canceling appearances at his Margate, N.J. club, Memories, due to painful injuries to his shoulders. He also postponed his annual oldies all-star concert at the Kimmel Center, scheduled for January 28.
At the time of his death, he was still heard regularly on his own Geator Gold Radio network, and on his weekly Saturday night show on WXPN-FM (88.5), The Geator’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Rhythm and Blues Express.
Jerry Blavat had four daughters.