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Jerry Blavit's New Book You Only Rock Once

Jerry Blavit's New Book You Only Rock Once

I just read Jerry Blavit's new book You Only Rock Once. I must admit that over the years I listened to him at various radio stations and was somewhat impressed but after reading his book I am very impressed with Mr. Blavit and recommend anyone ever involved in Philadelphia radio, read his book.

I was amazed at how many people that Jerry knew or knows, have touched my life over the years.
For example, I have met and knew Ed Hurst, Matty Humdinger Singer, (I still have records with his sticker on them). I grew up across the street From Frank Rizzo spent summers on the Steel Pier's Marine Ball Room.

I was never at any of his dances but remember his TV shows at Ch. 10 and later Ch. 6. I remember working at radio stations when you brought your own music or went through the stations library and picked what you wanted to play.

Jerry has always played what he wanted to play and never caved into format radio.

While the book contains some minor mistakes as far as radio station call letters, considering the book covers nearly 60 years of history Jerry Blavit did a great job.

I know I saw Mr. Blavit several times at the Steel Pier and recently at the Wildwood Italian Festival, I never met him in person. In an industry loaded with false friends Mr. Blavit was for real and as long as he is on the radio, the music he plays he plays from the heart. Geater, keep doing what you do cause you are truly one of a kind! Ohh and Keep on Rockin........
 
Re: Jerry Blavit's New Book You Only Rock Once

Anything about his relationship with the mafia? I believe in the early 80's he was eating diner with a mob boss who was gunned down & killed. Always think about that scene in the godfather at the restaurant.
 
Re: Jerry Blavit's New Book You Only Rock Once

I knew someone would bring up Angelo Bruno and the mob. The truth is he survived countless audits by local and federal law agencies and they found nothing to tie him in with the mob. I was suprised by this also. He grew up in South Philly they were his neighbors and he just had a neighbor to neighbor relationship. I know its hard to believe but I grew up in a similar neighborhood and I had no idea what my neighbors did for a living, but if one of them was involved with the mob would this mean I was involved?
 
Re: Jerry Blavit's New Book You Only Rock Once

Ok Sam I guess he is guilty by association and maybe or maybe not I feel this way after reading his book. Over the years there was really no love between Hy an Jerry. In his book in 1977 when the WIBBAGE Wake took place Your dad and Joe Niagra told the world (with your help) that the grand old lady was dead. I know Blavit must have been pissed having to go live after that from Memories West.

If you get a chance read his book, hopefully much of it is truth or maybe all along he had me fooled. I somehow believe he was trying to be genuine but then again he might not be. (Remind you of someone RJ).
 
Re: Jerry Blavit's New Book You Only Rock Once

My parents have told me a little of the Geator Hy battles...I think radio wars were always fun...My mom swears by Blavat...my dad loved Hyski....they both would attend their dances as children...Its very intersting to me...I think I'm gonna pick up the book...
Sam..did your dad put out a book or is there one you could suggest that details his life or anything like that? I knew your dad a bit. I was working for Bryan Grayson when Bryan was working for your dad.I went to a few of your dad's events with Bryan. Wow your pop would have thepeople eating out of his hand.

I envy these guys so much..the got to pick their own records and pick their own hits..It would be amazing to pick and dictate what is hot fr Philadelphia...If payola didn't get so out of hand maybe djs would still be picking their own music today(yeah right but I can dream).
 
Re: Jerry Blavit's New Book You Only Rock Once

Shouldn't Jerry's las name be BLAVAT, rather than BLAVIT? Just saying......
 
Re: Jerry Blavit's New Book You Only Rock Once

DG02816 said:
Shouldn't Jerry's las name be BLAVAT, rather than BLAVIT? Just saying......
Ohhh the horror i made a mistake spelling. Oh yeah DG02816 wouldn't it be nice if some one had a last name instead of a las name?...just saying
 
Re: Jerry Blavat's New Book You Only Rock Once

Actually, I made the original spelling mistake, with the book in front of me.
I really am having mixed feeling was Jerry telling the truth in his book or is it "how he remembers it"?

I really don't think Hy Lit had the flexability to play what he wanted on the air except when he was at stations other that WIBG. Maybe at his record hops it was different. Also, as far as TV shows Hy's TV shoe originating from ch. 48 and syndicated on other Kaiser stations was my favorite but Kaiser didn't seem like they knew how to run a broadcast business. I also thing Hy's show was prematurely cancelled.
 
Re: Jerry Blavit's New Book You Only Rock Once

Was there any mention of the short lived Broadcasting School that bore his name. I was one of the few who finished the course and they got me a job in radio in Delaware. That was back in 1969. I'm still in radio in Las Vegas. I'm gonna get that book. I remember his days at WCAM in Camden.
 
Re: Jerry Blavit's New Book You Only Rock Once

Yes he does mention the School Of Broadcasting. Does anyone remember the Columbia School of Broadcast, that Bil Right Sr. of WIBG was pushing with TV adds?

I remember visiting the school in 1971 or 1972 and having a one hour interview with Bill Wright himself. I remember it being an hour long interview and we spent most of the time talking about his hey days at Wibbage.

In the end I decided to go into broadcast engineering and get my FCC license.
 
Re: Jerry Blavit's New Book You Only Rock Once

athegymtday said:
Actually, I made the original spelling mistake, with the book in front of me.
I really am having mixed feeling was Jerry telling the truth in his book or is it "how he remembers it"?

I really don't think Hy Lit had the flexability to play what he wanted on the air except when he was at stations other that WIBG. Maybe at his record hops it was different. Also, as far as TV shows Hy's TV shoe originating from ch. 48 and syndicated on other Kaiser stations was my favorite but Kaiser didn't seem like they knew how to run a broadcast business. I also thing Hy's show was prematurely cancelled.
I tought Hy did pick his own music...Sam Lit responded to anoter members question of payolla on a different thread( as most jocks were a the time). If he was acceptng payolla he had to be selecting his records..No?
 
Re: Jerry Blavit's New Book You Only Rock Once

instigator said:
athegymtday said:
Actually, I made the original spelling mistake, with the book in front of me.
I really am having mixed feeling was Jerry telling the truth in his book or is it "how he remembers it"?

I really don't think Hy Lit had the flexability to play what he wanted on the air except when he was at stations other that WIBG. Maybe at his record hops it was different. Also, as far as TV shows Hy's TV shoe originating from ch. 48 and syndicated on other Kaiser stations was my favorite but Kaiser didn't seem like they knew how to run a broadcast business. I also thing Hy's show was prematurely cancelled.
I tought Hy did pick his own music...Sam Lit responded to anoter members question of payolla on a different thread( as most jocks were a the time). If he was acceptng payolla he had to be selecting his records..No?


Yes.
 
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