WHEREAS, Bob Perkins has become a fixture of the Philadelphia jazz community during his more than 40 years of service in radio; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia native, born December 6, 1933, was one of five children and grew up in a rowhome near 19th and Reed Street in South Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Perkins was first exposed to jazz at the age of five when his older brother took him to a concert at the Fays Theater in West Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, He inherited his love for radio from his father and knew that he wanted to be a radio jazz deejay when he saw his father tinkering with an AM radio and antennae allowing him to hear stations in Detroit and Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Perkins first broke into the radio business in 1964 when he landed an on-air job in Detroit; and
WHEREAS, Perkins later returned to Philadelphia in 1969 where he was offered a job at a rhythm-and-blues station WDAS, where he worked for the next nineteen years; and
WHEREAS, After years of working at WHYY, he joined WRTI in 1997, becoming their evening drive-time jazz radio personality; and
WHEREAS, Outside of radio, Perkins wrote columns and commentaries on jazz for Philadelphia area publications as well as hosting concerts at jazz clubs and regional festivals; and
WHEREAS, Perkins briefly worked a editorial director for
The Philadelphia Tribune
, where he wrote columns on government, society, and public affairs; and
WHEREAS, Additionally, he wrote editorials and other articles for the former Philadelphia New Observer, and he independently produced a radio documentary on the life of Paul Robeson; and
WHEREAS, Perkins received numerous awards for his contributions to Philadelphia music and culture including the 2002 Mellon Jazz Community Award and in 2007, he was honored with a proclamation for his outstanding contributions to Philadelphia's jazz community from Mayor John Street, Philadelphia City Council and the House of Representatives in Harrisburg; and
WHEREAS, In 2016, he was awarded a bronze plaque on Philadelphia Music Alliance's Walk of Fame on the Avenue of the Arts; and
WHEREAS, Bob Perkins' lifelong, monumental contributions to the jazz community have solidified his status as an icon, and the people of Philadelphia are grateful for his unwavering dedication to both his listeners and the community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby honors the life and legacy of legendary jazz host Bob Perkins
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to the family of Bob Perkins as evidence of the true and sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.
End