Philadelphia's radio landscape has lost its beloved voice in rock, Pierre Robert, a stalwart figure who breathed life into 93.3 WMMR for an impressive 44 years as a DJ. Born William Pierre Robert in California in 1955, he began his broadcasting career on a San Francisco progressive rock station before finding his true home with WMMR.
Robert's daily show was a staple of the city's airwaves, from 11 am to 2 pm, Monday through Friday. He brought laughter and camaraderie to listeners as they tuned in each morning. With his signature "Great day in the morning!" greeting, Robert set the tone for an entertaining ride, often punctuated by self-deprecating jokes about his tardiness and sports ignorance ("the boys in blue"). A playlist that dared to take risks was a hallmark of his style.
But beyond the humor, Robert's passion shone through as he championed local artists. Fans of Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Hall & Oates, the Hooters, and Beru Revue knew they had found an ally in Pierre. His dedication to supporting hometown bands was unwavering, regardless of their level of fame.
In a heartfelt tribute, Jon Bon Jovi described Robert's spirit: "He didn’t care if you were the fad or the fashion of the moment. He just cared." The Offspring echoed this sentiment, stating that what made Robert great was his genuine love for music. As an on-air personality, he was first and foremost a music fan, and listeners felt it.
Beyond his playlists, Robert took listeners on a trip through rock & roll history in his "On This Day" segment. He'd delve into the concert calendar, listing off who played where in Philly on any given day – preserving the past while honoring those who came before.
The city honored its beloved DJ by projecting his image onto the Xfinity Mobile Arena sign ahead of a Bryan Adams concert, with "In Loving Memory" emblazoned above it.
For Philadelphians, Robert's voice was more than just a broadcast; it was home. And in writing tribute after tribute, we're reminded that his legacy will live on – a testament to the kind of kindness and generosity that Pierre Robert embodied every day as "the Voice of Rock Radio."
Robert's daily show was a staple of the city's airwaves, from 11 am to 2 pm, Monday through Friday. He brought laughter and camaraderie to listeners as they tuned in each morning. With his signature "Great day in the morning!" greeting, Robert set the tone for an entertaining ride, often punctuated by self-deprecating jokes about his tardiness and sports ignorance ("the boys in blue"). A playlist that dared to take risks was a hallmark of his style.
But beyond the humor, Robert's passion shone through as he championed local artists. Fans of Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Hall & Oates, the Hooters, and Beru Revue knew they had found an ally in Pierre. His dedication to supporting hometown bands was unwavering, regardless of their level of fame.
In a heartfelt tribute, Jon Bon Jovi described Robert's spirit: "He didn’t care if you were the fad or the fashion of the moment. He just cared." The Offspring echoed this sentiment, stating that what made Robert great was his genuine love for music. As an on-air personality, he was first and foremost a music fan, and listeners felt it.
Beyond his playlists, Robert took listeners on a trip through rock & roll history in his "On This Day" segment. He'd delve into the concert calendar, listing off who played where in Philly on any given day – preserving the past while honoring those who came before.
The city honored its beloved DJ by projecting his image onto the Xfinity Mobile Arena sign ahead of a Bryan Adams concert, with "In Loving Memory" emblazoned above it.
For Philadelphians, Robert's voice was more than just a broadcast; it was home. And in writing tribute after tribute, we're reminded that his legacy will live on – a testament to the kind of kindness and generosity that Pierre Robert embodied every day as "the Voice of Rock Radio."