Jerry Blavat to Celebrate 30th Show at Kimmel Center, 4/19

The Geator is at it again! Nationally-renowned radio icon Jerry Blavat celebrates his 30th show at the Kimmel Center bringing The Ultimate Doo Wop Reunion on Saturday, April 19 at 8 p.m. in Verizon Hall. The best of the Doo Wop era returns for an encore performance at the Kimmel Center to reinterpret classics in the 50s and 60s from the American Songbook performed with a unique blend of vocal harmonizing style and R&B flavors.

Accompanied by a 30 piece orchestra with 10 piece string section and Jerry Blavat as emcee throughout the evening, this stellar line-up features The Duprees "You Belong to Me," The Tokens "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," The Happenings "See You In September," The Classics "Till Then," The Flamingos "Mio Amore," The Demensions "Over the Rainbow," The Roommates "Please Love Me Forever," and The Chimes "I'm in the Mood for Love."

"This line-up represents music by some of America's finest composers done in the classic street corner harmonies known today as Doo Wop. This style originates from kids who back in the day first heard this music on radio and then perfected it with their vocal harmonies, " says Jerry Blavat about The Ultimate Doo Wop Reunion.

Tickets are available from $41 to $100 at kimmelcenter.org, 215-893-1999, or at the Kimmel Center Box Office located on Broad and Spruce streets, Philadelphia, Pa. (open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., later on performance evenings).

"Jerry Blavat is as 'Philadelphia' as the cheesesteak," said Governor Edward G. Rendell. "He has been the heart and soul of the Philadelphia music scene for five decades."

A cultural icon in Philadelphia, Jerry Blavat is well-known for his electrifying on-air personality and encyclopedic knowledge of music, writers and performers. With more than 45 years of radio experience, South Philadelphia's "Boss with the Hot Sauce" Jerry Blavat was the first DJ to play hits such as "Sherry" by the Four Seasons and "Twist and Shout" by the Isley Brothers on air in the Philadelphia region. Beginning in March 1965, Blavat produced and hosted the "Discophonic Scene" on WCAU-TV 10, featuring live performances, including The Supremes' only Philadelphia television appearance. In 1967, WIFL-TV 6 offered the Geator a daily show called "Jerry's Place," which was eventually syndicated coast-to-coast in 42 markets. Blavat began hosting "On the Air with the Geator" in 1992 and "Backstage with Jerry Blavat" in 1997. In 1998 he was one of the radio greats inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Since then, Blavat has appeared on the PBS fundraising event "DooWop 50" and "DooWop 51."

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