American disc jockey Jerry Blavat, known as “The Geator with the Heater,” passed away on January 20, 2023, at age 82, following complications from myasthenia gravis and related health issues at Jefferson-Methodist Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.
Jerry Blavat was born Gerald Joseph Blavat on July 3, 1940 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States to a Jewish father and an Italian mother.
The disc jockey and performer Blavat promoted oldies music on the radio.
Blavat debuted as a dancer on American Bandstand on WFIL-TV with Bob Horn in 1953.
In 1956, he managed a national tour for Danny and the Juniors and worked as Don Rickles’ valet between 1958 and 1959.
Blavat started his radio career with a talk show he hosted from the Venus Lounge in South Philly in 1960. By 1963, he was syndicated in Atlantic City, Trenton, Camden, Pottstown & Allentown Pennsylvania, and Wilmington, Delaware.
Blavat was a partner in the Crimson and Lost Nite record labels and was part owner of the Record Museum record stores.
From 1965 to 1967, Blavat produced and hosted the weekly television show The Discophonic Scene in Philadelphia.
In 1972, Blavat purchased a nightclub in Margate, New Jersey, and named it “Memories”.
His autobiography You Only Rock Once: My Life in Music was published in 2011.
As an actor, Blavat starred in a couple of movies including Cookie, Miss December, and Mancation.
Blavat was inducted into the Philadelphia Music Alliance’s Hall of Fame in 1993, recognized by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998 and was honored on the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia’s Hall of Fame in 2002.
At the time of Blavat’s demise, 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 is survived by his daughters Kathi Furia (Robert), Geraldine Blavat, Stacy Braglia and Deserie Downey; grandchildren Samantha Rodden, Kristina Furia, Joseph Downey, Frankie Braglia, and Jeffrey Smullen; five great-grand-children and Rosalie (Keely) Stahl, his partner of over three decades.
His funeral service will come off on Saturday, January 28, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul (1723 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA).