Jerry Blavat, Philly DJ icon, dies at 82

Jerry Blavat, the legendary Philly DJ with a loyal fan base that he entertained for decades,  has died. 

Known as the Boss with the Hot Sauce and Geator with the Heater, he was 82.

He passed away at 3:45 a.m. Friday at hospice at Jefferson-Methodist Hospital from the effects of myasthenia gravis and related health issues, reports 6ABC-WPVI. Blavat was recently suffering from medical issues related to a shoulder injury and had to cancel an upcoming show at the Kimmel Cultural Campus due to his health, according to his website.

“This morning we’re sad to report the passing of Philadelphia radio icon and WXPN host Jerry “The Geator” Blavat, a rock and roll pioneer who introduced listeners to their favorite bands and inspired them to dance, sing, and fall in love,” wrote John Vettese on WXPN, where Blavat’s show was produced. “WXPN has confirmed the news with a family member. He was 82 years old, and had worked as a DJ in some capacity for 62 of those years, but as Blavat would be the first to tell you, the numbers don’t matter, because music keeps you young.”Keep on rocking,” he’d say, “because you only rock once.” “

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The South Philadelphia native was on stage has late as last year, performing throughout the Delaware Valley.

The icon, who popped up as a clue on a “Jeopardy!,’’  was beloved for his high energy weekend shows at Memories in Margate, a club he has owned since 1972.

For years, Blavat hosted “The Geator’s Rock and Roll, Rhythm & Blues Express’’ on WXPN 88.5 FM in Philadelphia. Blavat also spun records for his Geator Gold radio programs on WISL 1480 AM and other stations, populates his own YouTube channel, hosts Facebook chats and DJs private parties.