The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia

WGPR Newscaster Bob Perkins
WGPR Radio, Detriot
1965

Broadcast Pioneers member Bob Perkins was born and raised in Philadelphia, but broke into radio in 1964 while visiting relatives in Detroit. After serving as program director and newsman at one Detroit all-jazz radio station, and as an assistant news director at another, Bob returned to Philadelphia after a six-year absence and joined the news department at WDAS-AM and FM and became news and editorial director. He remained at WDAS for 19 years while simultaneously hosting a Saturday evening jazz program at WHYY-FM, and wrote weekly editorial and jazz columns for the Philadelphia Tribune and Philadelphia New Observer newspapers.

Following his 19-year tenure at WDAS, Bob hosted a Sunday morning talk show at WUSL-FM for three years. Since 1997, he has presided over a five day a week jazz program at Temple University’s WRTI-FM.

Over his 39 years as a journalist and music-program-host, Bob has received two White House invitations (news briefing by Presidents Ford and Carter) and has received more than three dozen awards; from journalistic organizations for editorial and news presentation, and service to the local community and last year, “Mellon Jazz” selected Bob as its Community Awardees, in recognition of his continuous advocacy of America’s only indigenous art form. Bob was inducted into our "Hall of Fame" in 2003.

The e-mail address of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia is pioneers@broadcastpioneers.com