Robert “Bob” Perkins (born December 6, 1933) is an American retired radio personality who worked as a jazz program host and DJ in Philadelphia. His radio career began in 1964 in Detroit, Michigan. In 1969, Perkins began working for Philadelphia's WDAS, where he worked for 19 years before moving to WHYY in 1988.[1] In 1997, he joined Temple University's WRTI Radio, where he worked until his retirement in 2023.[2][3]
From right to left: Bob Perkins, his wife Sheila, and Congressman Chaka Fattah.
He was known for his laid-back and mellow style.[4] One of his well-known sayings is "This is BP with the GM!," meaning "Bob Perkins with the good music."[5] He is also an accomplished radio news journalist and a First Call Master of Ceremonies for regional jazz music events. He has earned well over forty different honors and awards from major government, artistic, journalistic and community organizations. Information about his on-air schedule may be found at WRTI's website.
Perkins started his radio career in Detroit in 1964. After breaking in as a DJ and announcer at WGPR-FM, he expanded to news at WCHB-AM while also working as jazz program director for its twin, WCHD-FM. He worked as newsman and assistant director at WJLB-AM in Detroit, before returning to Philadelphia in 1969, where he joined WDAS-AM/FM.[6] 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.[1]
In 1997, Perkins became the PM drive time jazz radio personality and host for WRTI-FMTemple University Radio. He stepped down from full-time broadcasting in 2022 and retired from the station in April of 2023.[3]
Print media and other projectsedit
Perkins had a five-year relationship with The Philadelphia Tribune, where he wrote commentary on government, society and public affairs. He also wrote editorials and other articles for the former Philadelphia New Observer. Perkins also independently produced 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.
Personal lifeedit
Perkins was born on December 6, 1933. He credits his love for radio to his father who repaired radios as a hobby when he was young. He got his first job in radio during a trip to visit his two brothers in Detroit in 1964. Perkins wandered into the station at WGPR-FM and got a position as on-air DJ and Announcer. He has attended two White House Presidential news conferences - one of Gerald Ford's and one of Jimmy Carter's. Perkins was born and raised in South Philadelphia and currently lives in Glenside, Pennsylvania, with his wife Sheila.
Honors and awardsedit
Some of Bob Perkins' major honors and awards for career accomplishments include: The Kal Rudman Milestones in Radio Award; The Mellon Jazz Community Service Award, 2002);[7] Inducted to the Philadelphia Broadcast Hall of Fame, 2003 and the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia [1] Hall of Fame (Enshrined with Philadelphia Broadcast Legends John Facenda, Larry Kane, Dick Clark, Herb Clarke and Ed Bradley, to name a few); City of Philadelphia Proclamation by Mayor John Street for Outstanding Contribution to Philadelphia Jazz, 2007;[8] State of Pennsylvania Proclamations at the State House of Representatives and the State Senate for Outstanding Contribution by a Pennsylvania Resident to Jazz, 2007; U.S. House of Representatives Proclamation by Congressman Chaka Fattah for Outstanding Contribution by a Pennsylvania Resident to Jazz, 2007 (pictured above).[9] Philadelphia honored him in 2017 when he was inducted in Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame.[10]
^Hilty, James; Hilty, James W.; Hart, Ann Weaver (2009-12-28). Temple University: 125 Years of Service to Philadelphia, the Nation, and the World. Temple University Press. pp. 154–. ISBN978-1-4399-0019-2. Retrieved 9 May 2011.
^ ab"As Bob Perkins signs off at WRTI, a broadcasting legend looks ahead". WRTI. 2023-03-29. Retrieved 2023-05-05.
^"Art of Aging: Bob Perkins, a Philly Institution". 17 November 2016.
^"Talking all that jazz with WRTI legend Bob Perkins". 14 October 2016.
^"Meet the Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame's Class of 2017". 3 August 2017.
External linksedit
WRTI homepage
Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia website
Moser, Grant (2011-12-23). "Bob Perkins: a Philly musical treasure". Chestnut Hill Local. Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
January 01, 1970
perkins, radio, personality, this, article, contains, wording, that, promotes, subject, subjective, manner, without, imparting, real, information, please, remove, replace, such, wording, instead, making, proclamations, about, subject, importance, facts, attrib. This article contains wording that promotes the subject in a subjective manner without imparting real information Please remove or replace such wording and instead of making proclamations about a subject s importance use facts and attribution to demonstrate that importance August 2020 Learn how and when to remove this message Robert Bob Perkins born December 6 1933 is an American retired radio personality who worked as a jazz program host and DJ in Philadelphia His radio career began in 1964 in Detroit Michigan In 1969 Perkins began working for Philadelphia s WDAS where he worked for 19 years before moving to WHYY in 1988 1 In 1997 he joined Temple University s WRTI Radio where he worked until his retirement in 2023 2 3 From right to left Bob Perkins his wife Sheila and Congressman Chaka Fattah He was known for his laid back and mellow style 4 One of his well known sayings is This is BP with the GM meaning Bob Perkins with the good music 5 He is also an accomplished radio news journalist and a First Call Master of Ceremonies for regional jazz music events He has earned well over forty different honors and awards from major government artistic journalistic and community organizations Information about his on air schedule may be found at WRTI s website Contents 1 Radio career summary 2 Print media and other projects 3 Personal life 4 Honors and awards 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksRadio career summary editPerkins started his radio career in Detroit in 1964 After breaking in as a DJ and announcer at WGPR FM he expanded to news at WCHB AM while also working as jazz program director for its twin WCHD FM He worked as newsman and assistant director at WJLB AM in Detroit before returning to Philadelphia in 1969 where he joined WDAS AM FM 6 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 1 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 of 2023 3 Print media and other projects editPerkins had a five year relationship with The Philadelphia Tribune where he wrote commentary on government society and public affairs He also wrote editorials and other articles for the former Philadelphia New Observer Perkins also independently produced 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 Personal life editPerkins was born on December 6 1933 He credits his love for radio to his father who repaired radios as a hobby when he was young He got his first job in radio during a trip to visit his two brothers in Detroit in 1964 Perkins wandered into the station at WGPR FM and got a position as on air DJ and Announcer He has attended two White House Presidential news conferences one of Gerald Ford s and one of Jimmy Carter s Perkins was born and raised in South Philadelphia and currently lives in Glenside Pennsylvania with his wife Sheila Honors and awards editSome of Bob Perkins major honors and awards for career accomplishments include The Kal Rudman Milestones in Radio Award The Mellon Jazz Community Service Award 2002 7 Inducted to the Philadelphia Broadcast Hall of Fame 2003 and the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia 1 Hall of Fame Enshrined with Philadelphia Broadcast Legends John Facenda Larry Kane Dick Clark Herb Clarke and Ed Bradley to name a few City of Philadelphia Proclamation by Mayor John Street for Outstanding Contribution to Philadelphia Jazz 2007 8 State of Pennsylvania Proclamations at the State House of Representatives and the State Senate for Outstanding Contribution by a Pennsylvania Resident to Jazz 2007 U S House of Representatives Proclamation by Congressman Chaka Fattah for Outstanding Contribution by a Pennsylvania Resident to Jazz 2007 pictured above 9 Philadelphia honored him in 2017 when he was inducted in Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame 10 See also edit nbsp Biography portal Jazz Bridge Hal Jackson Yvonne Daniels Joseph Deighton Gibson Jr Lavada Durst Daddy O Daylie Black appeal stationsReferences edit a b Bob Perkins WRTI Retrieved 2023 05 05 Hilty James Hilty James W Hart Ann Weaver 2009 12 28 Temple University 125 Years of Service to Philadelphia the Nation and the World Temple University Press pp 154 ISBN 978 1 4399 0019 2 Retrieved 9 May 2011 a b As Bob Perkins signs off at WRTI a broadcasting legend looks ahead WRTI 2023 03 29 Retrieved 2023 05 05 Art of Aging Bob Perkins a Philly Institution 17 November 2016 Talking all that jazz with WRTI legend Bob Perkins 14 October 2016 Bob Perkins 27 January 2015 The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Bob Perkins The Art of Listening article All About Jazz 25 November 2009 The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Meet the Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame s Class of 2017 3 August 2017 External links editWRTI homepage Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia website Moser Grant 2011 12 23 Bob Perkins a Philly musical treasure Chestnut Hill Local Chestnut Hill Philadelphia Retrieved 2019 10 10 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Bob Perkins radio personality amp oldid 1175494267, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
