Philly Jazz Legend Perkins Retiring
• Bob Perkins, beloved longtime jazz music personality on Temple University’s WRTI/Philadelphia announced he will retire from his full-time hosting duties in June.
A mainstay of the jazz music and radio community, Perkins, affectionately known as “BP With The GM” (Bob Perkins with the Good Music) has been on-air at WRTI since 1997. He currently hosts the 6-9pm show Monday through Thursday, as well as 9am-1pm Sundays. He will continue to host his Sunday show.
The South Philly native has been on the air locally since 1969, when he joined WDAS after working in Detroit radio for five years. Perkins later moved to public station WHYY to host a weekend jazz music show before joining WRTI in 1997. Perkins said, “After 57 years in media, 25 of those years spent at WRTI, I am now into my 88th year, so this is a good time to retire from full-time hosting at the station, and reflect on where I’ve been, with whom I’ve talked and what I have learned over the decades as a news man, editorial writer and jazz music host, and see where that leads me. I look forward to the opportunity to pick up the mic at WRTI on Sundays to continue to serve all the listeners with finely-tuned ears who have said that I’ve helped keep jazz music alive in Philadelphia, and beyond.”
William Johnson, GM of WRTI said, “Bob’s contributions to jazz are innumerable. He’s introduced thousands, if not millions, of listeners to this music over the course of his career, delighted young and old with his signature sound, and been a tireless advocate for jazz appreciation and education. He is a gentleman, a kind soul, and every bit as nice in person as you hear on-air. I’m thrilled he’ll continue to host Sunday Jazz Brunch after he retires, because we all need some GM (good music) with our toast and jam!”
Perkins has received dozens of awards and honors recognizing his outstanding career and contributions to Philadelphia jazz, including a bronze plaque in the Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame on the city’s Avenue of the Arts in 2016. He was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame in 2003. [Photo credit: Gary Horn]
