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Bob Perkins (radio personality)

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From right to left: Bob Perkins, his wife Sheila, and Congressman Chaka Fattah

Robert Perkins (December 6, 1933 – January 19, 2025) was an American radio personality who worked as a jazz program host and DJ in Philadelphia.[1]

Perkins was known for his laid-back and mellow style.[2][3] He was also a radio news journalist, and a First Call Master of Ceremonies for regional jazz music events.[4]

Radio career

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Perkins got his first job in radio during a trip to visit his two brothers in Detroit in 1964.[4][5] After breaking in as a DJ and announcer at WGPR-FM, he expanded to news at WCHB-AM.[6] He worked as a newsman and assistant director at WJLB-AM in Detroit before returning to Philadelphia in 1969, where he joined WDAS-AM/FM.[7]

His distinctive deep voice and progressive points of view became an on-air signature for the FM and AM operations at WDAS over 19 years during the 1970's and '80's. From 1988 to 1997, he hosted a jazz program on Saturday nights on WHYY-FM.[8] During this time, he was also elected president of the Pennsylvania Associated Press Broadcasters Association and earned the distinction of being one of a select group of news directors and editors nationwide invited to interview President Jimmy Carter.[6][9]

In 1997, Perkins became the PM drive-time jazz radio personality and host for WRTI-FM Temple University Radio. He stepped down from full-time broadcasting in 2022 and retired from the station in April 2023.[10]

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Perkins briefly served as editorial director for The Philadelphia Tribune, where he wrote a commentary on government, society, and public affairs. He also wrote editorials and other articles for the former Philadelphia New Observer and Icon. Perkins also independently produced a radio documentary on the life of African American history icon Paul Robeson, who was born in the region and spent his last years living in Philadelphia.[6]

Personal life and death

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Perkins was born on December 6, 1933 in South Philadelphia, where he was also raised.[6] He credited his love for radio to his father, who repaired radios as a hobby when he was young.[6]

Perkins later lived in Glenside, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Sheila.[5][9]

Perkins died at Jefferson Abington Hospital in Abington, Pennsylvania, on January 19, 2025, at the age of 91.[11]

Honors and awards

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Some of Perkins' major honors and awards for career accomplishments include:

  • Mellon Jazz Community Service Award (2002)[12]
  • Inducted into the Philadelphia Broadcast Hall of Fame (2003)[13][14]
  • Inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame (2003)[12]
  • City of Philadelphia Proclamation by Mayor John Street for Outstanding Contribution to Philadelphia Jazz (2007)[15]
  • U.S. House of Representatives Proclamation by Congressman Chaka Fattah for Outstanding Contribution by a Pennsylvania Resident to Jazz (2007)[16]
  • Inducted into the Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame (2017)[17]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Genova, Ryan (2025-01-20). "Glenside's Bob Perkins, award-winning Philly radio personality, has passed away at 91". Glenside Local. Retrieved 2025-01-23.
  2. ^ "Art of Aging: Bob Perkins, a Philly Institution". 17 November 2016.
  3. ^ "Talking all that jazz with WRTI legend Bob Perkins". 14 October 2016.
  4. ^ a b Bob Perkins (Radio). Dic Press. 23 November 2011. ISBN 9786139871544. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Jazz and radio legend Bob Perkins dies at 91". Philadelphia Tribune. 20 January 2025.
  6. ^ a b c d e Booker, Bobbi (25 January 2025). "'BP with the GM': Former colleague remembers jazz radio icon Bob Perkins". Billy Penn at WHYY.
  7. ^ "Bob Perkins". 27 January 2015.
  8. ^ "Bob Perkins". WRTI. Retrieved 2023-05-05.
  9. ^ a b Genova, Ryan (17 September 2024). "Legendary DJ Bob Perkins of Glenside to receive Lifetime Achievement Award at the Montco Jazz Festival on Sept 19". Glenside Local.
  10. ^ "As Bob Perkins signs off at WRTI, a broadcasting legend looks ahead". WRTI. 2023-03-29. Retrieved 2023-05-05.
  11. ^ "Bob Perkins, a legend of jazz radio at WRTI and beyond, dies at 91". WRTI. 2025-01-19. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  12. ^ a b "The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia". Broadcastpioneers.com. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  13. ^ "September 29, Legendary Bob Perkins: A Conversation on Jazz with Terell Stafford, Dawn Warren Evans and Orrin Evans". Temple University. 20 September 2011.
  14. ^ "In Your Town". Press of Atlantic City. 25 January 2014.
  15. ^ "Bob Perkins: The Art of Listening article @ All About Jazz". 25 November 2009.
  16. ^ "The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia". Broadcastpioneers.com. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  17. ^ "Meet the Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame's Class of 2017". 3 August 2017.
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