By now you know that I’m a big proponent of enjoying life by “taking action on your passion.” And on Saturday night I witnessed the best example of my adage, bar none. My passion for pirates – with the pirate museum, books, tattoos, and movie – even takes a second place to this man’s passion for delivering music to the masses.
Following a great dinner at Steve & Cookie’s in Margate, NJ with two of my fun Italian buddies, Angelo Cataldi and Pete Ciarrocchi, and our saintly wives, we visited the club called Memories. The dinner is an annual summer event that usually combines a gastronomical feast with hours of belly laughs. Then we leisurely walk a block north to “Memories in Margate” where we attempt to burn off most of the calories dancing to the sounds of Jerry Blavat and his magical turntables. Yes, the spinmeister still plays 45s on two antique turntables suspended from the ceiling. And no one on this planet, including Wolfman Jack, does it better than the “Geator with the Heater.”
The Geator is a Philadelphia icon. He’s been spinning records on the radio since cheese was added to chipped steak to create the fable Philly cheesesteak. And not only is the “Boss with the Hot Sauce” a master at selecting the best music to bob and weave, but his act onstage behind his fabled turntables is a show unto itself. Forget Gene Simmons or Hulk Hogan., the 5’5” Geator would make an amazing reality show. He knows every word of every song he plays – and I guess he should since he’s been listening to some of those songs with his buddy Dick Clark on American Bandstand. He sometimes adds his personalized lyrics to the songs as they sail across the airwaves. And his youthfully fit body – with his guns displayed under a tightly-fit black t-shirt - is always gyrating with hands clapping, toes tapping, and fingers snapping.
I took a break from the dance floor and with my back up to one of the bars I watched in awe as the Geator was in full form spinning his vinyl magic. I elbowed Pete, screamed over the music while pointing to the 5’5” ball of energy onstage, and said, “Look at this guy. He’s having a ball up there!” Pete replied, “He probably played that song a thousand times and you wouldn’t know it. He does it because he loves it. ”
And that’s the truth – and the lesson.
The Geator truly loves what he does for a living, which results in a double dose of success. First, his life is more enjoyable and rewarding. And second, all of his fans (customers) enjoy their experience at his club – and usually spread the gospel of the Geator – resulting in more business and in our case, an annual and unforgettable pilgrimage.
This entry was posted
on Monday, August 25th, 2008 at 6:56 pm by Pat Croce
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August 25th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Amen Pat! The Geator is not only a ball of energy packed in that small frame, he is trully an encyclopedia of music. Many times I have listened, as he takes an oldie and breaks it down to its essence. He can tell you who wrote it and why. He can play ten other versions of that same song and give you a history of each one.
Yes, his dance parties are legendary, but its the intimate radio show he gives, during the week, that fills you with musical knowledge. He can take an extremely overplayed song, and let you hear it with fresh ears - absolutely amazing.
Plus - he’s got some great personal stories! Well worth publishing, I’m sure.
August 30th, 2008 at 2:42 am
Pat! To be blunt, I never knew you existed. I literally happened across you whilst doing some research on Antique French Muskets.
I managed to acquire a rusted out musket block from a gentleman whilst visiting the Citadel (in Haiti) this year. I have been traveling back and forth to Haiti for over 15 years now (without the bodyguards… that makes you the smart one!).
I think it was some combination of the word “Haiti” and “musket” that caused you to appear in my Google search.
You are quite an amazing guy! Very inspirational. I look forward to soaking up your books and website in the weeks to come.
I too am a BIG dreamer. As it happens, one of my dreams is in process. Within the next 12 months, my wife, three children, and I are going to be moving to Haiti to start a first-of-its-kind media training institute… a “film school” of sorts! Crazy? Could be! But it’s the dream that is burning a hole in me for the past 10 years and we are finally closing in on it!
Thanks for not only being a remarkable individual… but thanks for taking the time to share about your success and offer encouragement to those of us who are also plugging away.
I can hardly wait to see your pirate movie. If you ever want some authentic (safe) access to a legendary pirate stronghold near Haiti, you just let me know. Tortuga awaits!
Well there it is… the true sign of a dreamer… the moment where he gets goofy and starts acting like a fool. I’ll shut up now.
Godspeed on all of your endeavors.
Luke
December 18th, 2008 at 1:40 am
Hi Pat!
I was lucky enough to have played at Memories of Margate in ‘73, in the house band “Breakwater Bay”. Got to play with Chuck Berry and a lot of artist! BIG thrill to be told “Go Johnny Go” for my piano lead,,,,from Berry, while playing Johnny B. Goode! Talk about a dream! The more the years go by, (55 now), the more meaningful that night was.
Blavet, (through the house drummer back then, Mike McCourt) got me in the bad to play behind Jerry at The Kimmel Center. Wow! The first two songs of the big show Blavet put on with many TSOP acts! Another BIG night for me, and because of Jerry Blavet, and Mike McCourt. Mike still works for Jerry, for a lot of his area shows, arranging the music for the orchestras, as well as playing drums. Mike and I were in several bands through the years.
I’m now fronting my original band called “Too Little Time”. We’re five boomers lighting the fire again that we had back in those late sixties to mid seventies, when the band scene was alive with many clubs. (Al Joes, The Zodiac, and all the shore clubs)! Tons of clubs! But Blavet’s Memories was the one where you could always see and hear the classic acts of the 50’s and 60’s. (And where I had the taste of a pro venue).
If you get a chance, stop in at the old Silver lake Inn in Clemeton, NJ, this Saturday, (Dec.20) (now called “947 Bar and Grille”). White Horse Pike. Route 30. We go on around 6:15, and will do a two hour concert, (in a BAR/Club!). No one else does that! We do a few Beatles and one Kinks, to go along with our similar style Brit Rock/Pop original songs. WXPN and Delaware’s WXTW has played a few of our songs (here and there). Not setting the world on fire,,,,,,yet! Ha!
That’s the thing with the kind of energy Blavet has, and goes along with the Rock n Roll/Doo wop genres; That we have kept that same enthusiasm and energy, to do things as if still in “our day”. I believe any day we’re alive IS our day! I can say that with more meaning now, for this past Saturday, my keyboard player, (Iggy Taylor), litteraly saved my head, neck and maybe life by catching a heavy bass amp that was about to crash on my head, (from being stooped down after tripping on some cords in this VERY small practice room in my house, (small Cap Cod in Barrington, NJ).
So, the energy and enthusiasm Jerry Blavet always displays, and most of boomers bring to everything we do?: I have that and MORE after this past weekend, that’s for sure. LUCKY to to be doing anything, never mind still living my dream by continuing playing music for folks. And these band members? Amazing group of guys, all with their own fascinating stories of once did it,,,,raised families,,,,then found music again to play out. A doctor, a Burger King co owner, a past president of the home remodelers association, and a guy who played coffee houses and for church as his playing out since being a teen in bands.
Blavet’s place and his opportunities afforded me to have the initial area big time feel of those gigs, and to still have them continue, (The Kimmel).
Have a great holiday Pat! (I’ve always enjoy you on the tube)!
If you do come to the venue this Saturday, (Dec. 20th), we’ll be doing soundcheck and stuff through the afternoon when closed. I can get you in of course. Bring some muscle men to move this heavy gear for after the show though!
Na,,.it keeps us moving, right?!
Rock on Blavet! (If you see Jerry, tell him John, the piano player with Mike says Hi! It was last winter I saw him again.
Take good care!
John
TooLittleTime dot net