Jerry Blavat Dies: “The Geator With The Heater,” Philadelphia radio advocate for early R&B artists, dies at 82

Jerry Blavat, a fast-paced Philadelphia DJ who was a strong supporter of R&B at a time when “race records” weren’t mainstream, died Friday at Jefferson-Methodist Hospital in Philadelphia. His death was confirmed by his good friend AJ Mattia and Keely Stahl, the latter his companion for more than 30 years.

The cause of death was complications caused by myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune neuromuscular disease. He was 82 and worked until recently, when he canceled several long-running live events. However, he could still be heard regularly on his own Geator Gold Radio network and on his weekly Saturday night show on WXPN-FM (88.5). Geator’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Rhythm & Blues Express.

A family statement released Friday read: “Jerry proudly said, ‘Life is precious and I’m happy. And when I’m happy, I want the world to be happy.’ … His love of Philadelphia only replaced his love of music. He was proud of this great city and nothing made him prouder than the influence of Philadelphia music on the world.”

Blavat made an impression at a time when corporate radio did not yet own the airwaves. Calling himself “The Geator with the Heater” and “The Boss with the Hot Sauce,” he built a regional empire as a radio DJ, dance promoter, TV host, record label owner, and all-around entrepreneur. He once fronted Danny and the Juniors (hit: “At The Hop”) and released Soul Survivors’ hit “Expressway to Your Heart” on his Crimson label.

Blavat’s Memoirs, You only rock oncewas released in 2011. Motown founder Berry Gordy praised the work: “To all the artists and everyone else in the music business, you’ve been so important to all of us over the years.”

Gordy’s praise was well deserved. Blavat worked tirelessly to promote the authentic versions of hits, which were often obscured by covers by white artists.

Speaking at the induction of the band The Hooters into the 2019 Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame (Blavat himself was an inductee in 1993), Todd Rundgren put it best:

“Everywhere I go, I tell people that I’m a product of the Philadelphia music scene. People ask me what does that mean? I tell them it comes down to one thing: I grew up with the Geator. He played the music that at the time would be called race records, the music that was made south of the Mason-Dixon line. And that’s why so many white kids grew up in Philly wanting to sing R&B.”

No memorial plans have been announced.