Feature Article

Jerry Blavat Finds the Fountain of Youth

By Jason Fagone

Page 8 of 9

Monday

No call from Jerry. He’s supposed to call. I’m not exactly surprised.

The vibe here has shifted. I went to his show last night, at an outdoor food court the casino calls “Seminole Paradise,” and afterward, he said he’d call me in a little bit so we could get a drink. But he didn’t call. Instead, he went to a steakhouse with Avalon and Avalon’s bandmates — Avalon had just stepped off the stage at Hard Rock Live — and when I eventually walked into the steakhouse and sat down at the big boys’ table, it was like something in the room had died. Jerry was nice to me, welcoming as always, but it was clear I had pissed off Avalon. I drank a quick cup of coffee, talked to Jerry about a plan for today, and took off.

Our plan: Drive to an ultra-exclusive resort called Lago Mar (“It’s an oceanfront view, you’ll flip”) where Jerry’s thinking about buying some property. Nicholas Pileggi, the screenwriter of Goodfellas and Casino, has encouraged Jerry to write his life story so that Pileggi can buy the film rights, and Jerry needs a getaway where he can speak his life into a voice transcriber.

But no call. Was it my iTunes comment? Something else? The trivia thing, ­maybe — catching Avalon in a mistake? Or does Avalon, understandably, just want to shoot the shit with Jerry without a reporter tagging around? For whatever reason, I appear to be exiled from the tribe.

Secretly, I’m glad for the downtime. Despite the 40-year age difference between me and the Geator, I can’t keep up with him.

Later on, I walk over to the Seminole Paradise to watch Jerry’s show. He spots me and says, “You look well-rested, Jason.” Then he arranges for me to have dinner with Connie Francis while he finishes up his set.

She’s lovely.

“He sends me macaroni, boxes of homemade macaroni, every Christmas,” Francis says. “It’s great.”

 

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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

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