Bob Perkins (radio personality) facts for kids
Robert Perkins (December 6, 1933 – January 19, 2025) was an American radio personality who worked as a jazz program host and DJ in Philadelphia.
Perkins was known for his laid-back and mellow style. One of his well-known sayings is "This is BP with the GM!," meaning "Bob Perkins with the good music." He was also a radio news journalist, and a First Call Master of Ceremonies for regional jazz music events. He has earned over forty different honors and awards from major government, artistic, journalistic and community organizations. Information about his on-air schedule may be found on WRTI's website.
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Radio career
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 a newsman and assistant director at WJLB-AM in Detroit before returning to Philadelphia in 1969, where he joined WDAS-AM/FM. 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.
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.
Print media and other projects
Perkins had a five-year relationship with 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. 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.
Personal life and death
Perkins was born on December 6, 1933 in South Philadelphia, where he was also raised. He credited his love for radio to his father, who repaired radios as a hobby when he was young. Perkins got his first job in radio during a trip to visit his two brothers in Detroit in 1964. He wandered into the station at WGPR-FM and got a position as an on-air DJ and Announcer. Perkins attended two White House Presidential news conferences – one of Gerald Ford's and one of Jimmy Carter's. Perkins later lived in Glenside, Pennsylvania with his wife, Sheila.
Bob Perkins died at Jefferson Abington Hospital in Wyncote, Pennsylvania, on January 19, 2025, at the age of 91.
Honors and awards
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; Inducted into the Philadelphia Broadcast Hall of Fame, 2003, and the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame (Enshrined with Philadelphia Broadcast Legends John Facenda, Larry Kane, Dick Clark, Herb Clarke, and Ed Bradley, to name a few); the City of Philadelphia Proclamation by Mayor John Street for Outstanding Contribution to Philadelphia Jazz, 2007; 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). Philadelphia honored him in 2017 when he was inducted in Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame.
See also
- Jazz Bridge
- Hal Jackson
- Yvonne Daniels
- Joseph Deighton Gibson Jr.
- Lavada Durst
- Daddy-O Daylie
- Black-appeal stations
