There are few Philadelphia legends I have become a bigger fan of since I moved here than Jerry Blavat. I mean, this guy’s story is just so unreal. He hung out with Sammy Davis and Frank Sinatra, he was friends with Frank Rizzo and Angelo Bruno, he’s been spinning doo-wop and soul for over 50 years. The Geator was sitting at a table in South Philly when one of his dining partners was the victim of a mob hit in 1981, and in 2009 a mob member wanted to have Jerry himself whacked.
And while Jerry himself has never been indicted for any wrongdoing that I’m aware of, a bombshell dropped in 1995, when a mob informant told police that Blavat had asked Nicky Scarfo to have rival radio DJ and fellow Philadelphia legend Hy Lit whacked. In the above video that I just randomly stumbled across yesterday, Blavat and Hy Lit go on the air to discuss the allegations just days after the report was released. The two had been friends since childhood and friendly rivals in adulthood, but according to the informant, Blavat thought Lit was cutting in on his business and wanted him wiped out. Blavat vehemently denied the accusation. It made for some highly entertaining television, the host and Blavat really sparring repeatedly about Blavat’s mob connections.
While you’re at it, read this excellent Philly Mag story on Blavat in 2008. Well worth a read. And if you want to know even more about the Geator with the Heater, the Boss with the Hot Sauce, you can buy his book which came out in 2011.