Me and Mr. Jones

NEWS & VIEWS > ASK THE GEATOR

By Jerry Blavat

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Mar. 7, 2012

The Geator on an episode of "The Monkees" with the late Davy Jones who passed away in Florida last week.

Once again, greetings and salutations. And without a doubt, the most exciting event of the year so far was Boardwalk Live weekend at the Seminole Hard Rock in Florida with yours truly, the Geator, the Bubba Mac Band, Pinky Kravitz, Dave & Tina, and the folks from WTKU and WOND when we took our entire act to the sunny lands along with Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons. People are still talking about the excitement that they heard over the airwaves up this way. So many people to thank for this event, but especially Dave Coskey and Longport Media for bringing all the magic that happened locally this way. Besides dancing, the Geator had the privilege of introducing Frankie for his 50th anniversary celebration on stage at the Hard Rock Live. And a special thank you to Jim Allen, Bernie Dillon, Terri Lutz, and all the folks from the Hard Rock. Now let’s ask the Geator.  (See photo at end of article)

Hey, Jerry, have you ever been on the show The Monkees? I thought that might have been you. — Bill El Wingador Simmons, Woodbury Heights, N.J. 

Sadly we got this question before the passing of our friend Davy Jones, who was very much loved by folks who knew and worked with him. Yes, that was the Geator playing a DJ on The Monkees episode called “Some Like It Lukewarm,” where Davy dresses up as a girl so the guys could enter a mixed-group contest, and the Geator develops a mad crush on “Miss Jones.” 

Whatever happened to Gloria Mann? She had a big hit in the ’50s with “Teenage Prayer.” Just can’t get that song out of my mind. — Neal Bracken, Lansdale, Pa.  

According to Gloria’s son, who became a DJ and now has his own group, Will to Power: “My mother got married in 1958 to Al Rosenberg. The comedian Don Rickles brought my father from Manhattan to Philly to watch my mother perform. She did a few radio jingles but no recording or big performances after 1959. She passed away in December 2001.” Gloria also had a daughter, Diane, who came to see me last week at the Seminole Hard Rock in Florida. 

Geator, who sings that song “You Will Never Get Away” that you play on your radio show? Sounds like a girl group. — John Becker, North Cape May 

Interesting question. The artist is credited as Cholli Maye. In actuality the song was written and produced by Charlie Calello, who was a member of Frankie Valli’s original group, the Four Lovers, and went on to produce and arrange many of the Four Seasons’ hits. Also interesting how Cholli Maye sounds an awful lot like Shirley Alston, lead singer of the Shirelles.

Got a question for Jerry? Send it to AskTheGeator@acweekly.com or Geator Gold Radio, 626 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106. For more info on Jerry’s appearances, go to www.geator.net — and keep on rocking, ’cause you only rock once! Geator on ‘The Monkees’ Danny Eyer, the Geator and Herb “Bubba” Birch in Florida