Still remembering Pierre Robert: Legendary 93.3 WMMR Radio Personality Dies at 70
Philadelphia, PA -One of the most popular radio icons of the city of Philadelphia is grieving. Pierre Robert, the iconic on-air personality of 93.3 WMMR is dead at 70. Pierre Robert has been the face of rock radio in Philadelphia over forty years where he has served the listeners with warmth and wit, as well as with his undying love of music and people.
The Passing of a Radio Legend
WMMR Radio parent company, Beasley Media group, announced Pierre Robert was dead in his house on Wednesday morning. Officials denied the foul play in his death. Although the reason is yet to be established, his sudden death has been a heartbreaker among the Philadelphia music fraternity and the ardent music fans.
Preston Elliot of the Preston and Steve Show on WMMR could not measure his influence on Pierre. He loved music, he loved rock and roll and loved to share that music with people. His passion was as great as his heart.
Co-host Steve Morrison contributed, saying he was simply an ordinary man who was concerned about everybody. Whenever people inquired about Pierre Robert, I would always claim that he was among the real legendary rock DJs in the country today.
Journey by Pierre Robert on 93.3 WMMR.
In 1981 Pierre Robert joined the WMMR Radio, shortly after a short period in San Francisco. His distinctive voice, his trademark sense of humor and Greetings Citizens! greetings went down as an undeniable addition to the Philadelphia cultural soundtrack since the time he picked up the mic.
He soon became the face and voice of 93.3 WMMR, turning that station into more than a pure rock station, it became a music family to the music lover in different generations. Pierre Robert became a synonym of the Philadelphia rock over the years and cut across the line between classic rock, alternative and emerging artists.
The Voice that Defined Generations.
Pierre Robert was a storyteller over a span of more than 44 years as a DJ. He took musicians nearer to the fans with his famous segments and soulful discussions. His most popular features were:
Current Offerings: Noontime Workforce Blocks – A lunchtime institution honoring Baltimore’s working population with three-song rock bands.
• Pierre and his Vinyl Cut – The hymn to the analog age, playing records on the turn-table out of his old collection.
• On This Day- It was a daily music history feature that linked the fans to historic rock aspects.
• Exclusive Artist Interviews – Bruce Springsteen, U2 and upcoming indie bands.
These shows demonstrated the incredible amount of knowledge Pierre Robert had and his love of rock and roll which landed him in the pantheon of the most respected radio personalities in America.
Connection Pierre Robert has with his listeners.
Unlike most of the figures of the media, Pierre Robert did not only communicate with his listeners, but related to them personally. People who followed his career usually remember how kind, humble and interested in their lives he was. Hosting huge concerts or talking to people in local record stores, Pierre Robert never wasted time with people.
He was a familiar face at:
• Local concerts, festivals in Philadelphia.
• Such fundraising activities as the Pie in the Sky, organized by MANNA.
Community programs such as AIDS Walk annually.
He was a respectable man admired by fans and colleagues alike and that was due to his observant empathy and community spirit.
People were indeed a matter of concern to Pierre, as Caroline Beasley, CEO of Beasley Media Group, told me. It is his undying love to music and the listeners that made him one of the most popular voices in radio. He will be greatly missed.”
An Ambassador of Philadelphia Philps.
Squeezing into small clubs and thundering in stadiums, Pierre Robert was present in every place where music was played in Philadelphia. His presence was like the riff of a guitar being played in the streets of the city. Through 93.3 WMMR, he helped to promote local artists and exposed myriads of artists to wider audiences.
His influence can be traced in his Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame star.
He promoted both the established and upcoming rock music.
He turned into the icon of the artistic pulse of the city.
The efforts of Pierre Robert have assisted in ensuring that the WMMR Radio continues to be among the most powerful rock stations in America.
The Man Behind the Microphone.
Pierre Robert was born with a natural interest in sound and narration and started broadcasting in California before settling permanently in Philadelphia. He was a rock icon with his signature long hair, rock clothes, and constant smile as he was the rock culture.
His morning and midday were not only music shows but also about contact, humor and sincerity. The fans recall how they used to call in solely to listen to his jovial voice and pleasant greetings. He frequently addressed audiences as citizens and this made them feel that they belong and not just on the air.
Heritage of Love, Music, and Humanity.
Pierre Robert was not only a radio personality, he was an institution in Philadelphia over the decades. His songs helped people get to work, through their daily journey, and through their life achievements. His humanness is evident in all the broadcasts.
The wonders of his legacy are:
• A 44-year tenure at 93.3 WMMR, one of the longest radio careers in US history.
• Awards of the Philadelphia Music Alliance due to his contribution to the arts and culture of the city.
• Hundreds of charity initiatives that assisted the local population.
Pierre Robert demonstrated the fact that rock and roll was not a matter of music only, but of people, passion and purpose.
Music Community Tributes Roll In.
Ever since Pierre Robert died, there have been tributes on the social media by musicians, colleagues and fans. He was described by many as a legend, a friend, and a treasure of Philadelphia.
Local fans and performers were able to recall meeting him at live shows, record stores, and at local gatherings. Thousands of fans on the various social platforms of WMMR thanked the joy he had brought to their lives.
His input in making Philadelphia fall in love with rock music was also recognized by such national music icons as Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, and Pearl Jam.
The Official Statement of Beasley Media Group.
Beasley Media Group wrote in an emotional statement:
The loss of Pierre Robert is very much to be deplored. His interest in music, genuineness and his affection of Philadelphia had made him part of our station as well as our city. We would like to offer our condolence to his family, friends, and the faithful fans.
The company also ensured that there will be memorial tributes and special broadcasts that will be conducted on 93.3 WMMR in honor of his life and contributions.
It recalled the Voice of 93.3 WMMR.
To the inhabitants of Philadelphia, the voice of Pierre Robert became part of life, getting into work, going to a concert, or simply on the radio and listen to it soothingly. His outgoingness and optimism were able to unite a city that was usually characterized by its grit.
Lemons to his infectious excitement upon introducing songs, his knowledge of music, and his work in transforming a moments ordinary radio channel into magic can be recalled by the listeners. Not many DJs have made such an impact on the station and on the community in which they live.
How Did Pierre Robert Die?
By Thursday, police confirmed that Pierre Robert was unconscious in his home on October 29. Although the manner of death is not disclosed, police admitted that foul play is not evident. This is awaited after the coroner report.
His co-workers at WMMR Radio passed the news that this week programming will be filled with on-air tributes, old interviews and other segments where he can be shown as his most memorable moments on the air.
Fans and Listeners React
The hashtags PierreRobert, WMMR, and PhiladelphiaRockLegend have been used by fans all over social media to share their personal stories. There were also pictures of concerts, and there are voice clips of his legendary shows.
It is also a good move that 93.3 WMMR has made an online memorial page whereby fans can leave tributes, photos, and memories to honor the remarkable life of Pierre Robert.
WMMR without Pierre Robert: The Future.
Since WMMR Radio has carried the legacy, one cannot be sure that Pierre Roberts influence will not remain, as long as the Radio exists. His shows, archives, and classic interviews are a staple in the history of the station. The station will also conduct a special program every year to remember his life so that even the new generations will not forget about the man who contributed to shaping the identity of rock in Philadelphia.
With the death of Pierre Robert, the radio of Philadelphia is over. His passion in rock music, his unlimited generosity and his reliance with listeners formed a legacy that can never be portrayed by many broadcasters.
With the fans still grieving, it is one thing that Pierre Robert will always be the heartbeat of 93.3 WMMR- a voice that will be heard on air long after their generation is gone.
Hello, people, he would constantly say. Philadelphia is now bidding farewell to one of its best citizens Pierre Robert with his music, voice and spirit that can never be lost.
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