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Home / Philadelphia Magazine / Jerry Blavat Finds the Fountain of Youth

Jerry Blavat Finds the Fountain of Youth

By Jason Fagone

Posted on 4/21/08 Page 6 of 9

Text Size: A | A | A

Saturday

Over his morning bagel and lox, the Geator gets a call from a woman named Roseanne. He takes it on his Bluetooth earpiece. “Yo baby. Who’s this? … Frank? Oh really? He passed away? I loved him. … Oh, Jesus, I’m sorry to hear that. …” The Geator hangs up, shakes his head. “[Frank] had to be dancing with me since I was a kid. … ”

Tonight’s show — the last one before we head to Florida in the morning — is in South Jersey, at a catering hall next to a fire station. This one is a particularly deep dive into the past, Jack Nicholson in The Shining walking into that ghostly ballroom. By the end of the night, enough people have come up to me to tell me the same exact thing — as long as Jerry’s around, they still feel young and hopeful, and they’re afraid of losing Jerry because they’re afraid of losing that feeling — that I realize: Jerry’s preoccupation with living forever is an obsession, yeah, but it’s also simpler than that. It’s his job.

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User Comments:

Geater Hasn't Changed a Bit
Posted by Anonymous | May. 5, 2008 at 1:04 PM

COMMENT:

An excellent article on the Geater... as someone who was never allow into 'his tribe' (he's STILL deep into Native Americans :) I nonetheless am glad to see he continues to do very well, adjusting without changing. God Bless Him and his remaining family in South Philly.

Long live Geator
Posted by Leslie | May. 12, 2008 at 7:57 PM

COMMENT:

Thank you for a great article, and especially for remembering those of us who grew up with the Geator and have followed him all these years. He keeps us ALL young! (young and breathless)

Does he take HGH?
Posted by fixed | May. 13, 2008 at 7:10 AM

COMMENT:

So, uh, he referrs to himself in the thrid person? Gotta love that. Think he takes steroids or HGH? He looks pretty buff for a geezer.

Ron White
Posted by di | Jun. 5, 2008 at 8:07 PM

COMMENT:

Seems a bit disrespectful to merely say "indicted lawyer Ron White." Interesting article otherwise

Size doesn't matter at 60!!
Posted by Anonymous | Jun. 23, 2008 at 6:22 PM

COMMENT:

Would have loved the article until you had to focus on the size of his male body parts! What does that have to do with his music fans?? Those of us in our 50's & 60's could care less. Real men do not have to brag about it!

geator
Posted by ralph | Sep. 2, 2008 at 1:56 PM

COMMENT:

Just wanted to say "Thank You" for the great article on Blavat. I was one of his crew from the early 60's following him to every hop. i'd love to see him again.I'm from central Jersey now and getting by but my memories are so vivid from my Philly days that I'm always looking to see if he will come up this far North.I will always be a "Yon Teenager" at heart and I hope that the younger generation will finally pick up on the only "REAL" D.J. in America.I am probably the guy who asked him not to play Beatle music..lol His truth and passion are to is credit...Thanks Jerry...Your friend..Discaphonic Ralph

Thanks for the Jerry Blavat Article
Posted by Red15 | Oct. 31, 2008 at 3:58 PM

COMMENT:

Being an avid Jerry Blavat fan, I have attended many of his dance parties throughout PA and NJ the past 45 years and I am absolutely amazed how the "music" makes me feel so good and takes me back to the nostalgic times. In fact, while in college, I listened to him broadcasting the oldies from a small NJ radio station around 1965 and immediately ran downtown Philadelphia to purchase his "For Dancers Only" record album and listened to Amazons and Coyotes over and over again. It helped me learn the Bristol Stomp.Tell Jerry to stay in shape so we all have him around for much longer because he keeps us young with the "music". Thanks!

what ever happened to the vibrations?
Posted by michael | Apr. 23, 2009 at 10:09 AM

COMMENT:

The vibrations were a great group ,that performed at the apollo,uptown theater.this group never gets any respect,and is always taken for granted.sincerely yours,michael mcgehee

Jerry at WCAM CAMDEN, early years
Posted by Ed | Apr. 28, 2009 at 8:38 PM

COMMENT:

I remember Jerry on that station.I was raised in Camden, NJ. When it was great, Used to go to dances at the Mepree, Mt. Ephraim, NJ. I used to call up and dedicate a song , and tell him what street we hanged at. Also remember Hy Lit there also, they were some great times. Hy Lit used to have dances at Saint Peter and Pauls, off Broadway,in the late 50's and early sixties, it was Little Italy back then, 4th and Division, St. Mount Carmel Church, used to have the festivals in the school yard. Ed from Marlton, NJ

"MY MAIN MOTOR SCOOTER "THE GEATER"
Posted by ELLIOT | May. 13, 2009 at 10:43 AM

COMMENT:

Dear Geater; Remember all of the good times that we shared together,in Philly",or when we came to A.C.to spend long weekends,joking with ya at memoriesin margate.Would love all of those saturday nights;entertaining all of your GREAT GUESTS;at theclub,with all of THE BOYZ FROM PHILLY!You maid for always a great evening Jerry!ALL OF MY FONDEST MEMORIES

Jerry Blavat
Posted by cherylen | Jun. 8, 2009 at 11:19 AM

COMMENT:

I am so happy to hear the Geator is doing well. I grew up in PA and have fond memories of listening to his music from Steel Pier, etc. In my mind he is always young, full of energy, and rockin to the music. I can't imagine what Philadelphia would be like without him.

philly and Margate!
Posted by shelley | Sep. 5, 2009 at 10:32 PM

COMMENT:

thanks for all the great times on YOUR tv show.... you called me Mean Mary Jean!! Wonderful to hear your fantastic voice and music in Margate from Boca Raton Fl!!!! Luv you Jerry

i am trying to find out the artist of two records you use to play on your radio station
Posted by EDWARD | Oct. 18, 2009 at 9:51 PM

COMMENT:

I NEED TO FIND THE ARTIS OF MEMORY LANE FROM THE MID 1960S AND THE RECORD SHY ONE YOU USE TO PLAY ON YOUR RADIO STATION I HOPE THAT YOU CAN HELP ME.

yon teenagers
Posted by dick | Oct. 21, 2009 at 9:23 AM

COMMENT:

yon teenagers gather round to the hippest show on the radio, so without further due - - (that's all i can remember)

How to find Jerry now days?
Posted by Anonymous | Nov. 5, 2009 at 7:17 AM

COMMENT:

I'm trying to find out where Jerry is DJing at. I believe he still preforms live at dances and I'd like to know where. Thanks

To correct previous comment
Posted by Anonymous | Nov. 5, 2009 at 7:19 AM

COMMENT:

Oops, that's performs live :)

Edward
Posted by Anonymous | Nov. 5, 2009 at 7:55 AM

COMMENT:

Shy One by Shirley Ellis Memory Lane by The Hippies aka The Tams They were two Golden Oldies:)

Jerry Blavatsky 1960
Posted by Silvia | Jan. 10, 2010 at 9:31 AM

COMMENT:

Trying to find out where you preformed in 1966 1967 it was in Philadelphia pa on the roosevelt blvd you where head liner but he can't remember the name of the place please get back to me it's important to him

Jerry blavat
Posted by Silvia | Jan. 10, 2010 at 9:34 AM

COMMENT:

ya-hooo
Posted by larry | Feb. 19, 2010 at 6:25 PM

COMMENT:

I was in catholic high school, Jerry came to our town near Reading Pa.for a big dance and picked us to be on The Discophonic Scene. Our parents drove us once a week to City Line Ave in Philly. This was a big deal then..saw Little Richard, Dusty Springfield, Bunny Sigler..I wasn't a good looker but a good dancer and had my pick of dates to be on that show. How exciting..and nostalgic. There was a vinyl LP cut from that show. It'll surface one day, I am sure...

comment to Ya=hoooo
Posted by Anonymous | Mar. 15, 2010 at 11:12 PM

COMMENT:

Back in the day you didnt have to necessarily be a looker....If you could dance you were golden.....:0