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Listen to a Jerry Blavat-inspired playlist

Jerry Blavat shaped Philadelphia's musical identity. Here's some of the tunes he championed.

DJ Jerry Blavat decides on which jam to rock what was then SugarHouse Casino in 2011.
DJ Jerry Blavat decides on which jam to rock what was then SugarHouse Casino in 2011.Read moreJarid Barringer / Staff Photographer
    by Dan DeLuca
    Updated 
    Published 

Jerry Blavat’s long career playing the music of the R&B, doo-wop and rock and roll artists he loved began on his first radio show on WCAM-AM (1310) back in 1960. Blavat died Friday at the age of 82.

Here’s a 20 song playlist that offers a sample of the Blavat aesthetic, with songs like “At The Hop” by Danny and the Juniors, a group that he worked as the road manager for, and Dionne Warwick’s “Don’t Make Me Over” and the Soul Survivor’s “Expressway to Your Heart” which he helped turn into hits. There are even a couple of songs on which the Geator himself is the artist.

    Dan DeLuca
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    I'm The Inquirer's Pop Music Critic. I cover Philly music makers of all genres, spotlighting local acts on the rise, telling stories from throughout the city's rich music history, and reviewing big-name touring acts when they come to town.