Rock Music Community Mourns Loss of Beloved DJ Pierre Robert, Philadelphia Radio Icon
When news broke that Pierre Robert, the iconic Philadelphia rock DJ, had passed away at 70, it sent shockwaves through the music industry. The city mourned, but it soon became apparent that his impact extended far beyond local fans. Renowned artists such as Jon Bon Jovi, Alice Cooper, and Billy Idol took to social media to pay tribute to Robert's enduring legacy.
Bon Jovi, with whom Robert had a long-standing friendship, shared a heartfelt remembrance on Instagram, describing Robert as someone who "loved music of all types" and was always eager to support emerging artists. For many in the industry, including Alice Cooper, Robert's passing marked the end of an era – his departure from WMMR's airwaves felt like the loss of a guiding light.
Robert's diverse musical friendships were a testament to his genuine appreciation for all genres of rock & roll. He was as comfortable with New Jersey rock icons and shock-rock legends as he was with nu-metal bands like Linkin Park and Orange County punk outfit The Offspring. The latter recalled a wild bus ride from Philly to New York, where Robert joined in on the singing and drinking session.
Industry heavy-hitters such as Shinedown's Brent Smith and Collective Soul's Ed Roland praised Robert for his kind nature and support. "He was never a critic," Smith said, "he'd always find and embrace the quality of what the artist was trying to convey." Robert was also remembered by The Struts, who called him "one of the most wonderful, supportive, and kind-natured humans we've had the pleasure of meeting."
The music community continued to share their condolences as Billy Idol, Sublime's Jakob Nowell, and Bryan Adams – whose Zoom interview with Robert went unanswered before his passing – paid tribute to the beloved DJ. Graham Nash also shared a heartfelt message, stating that Robert was "a good friend" who always asked great questions.
Local radio personalities in Philadelphia also stepped up to pay their respects, highlighting Robert's lasting impact on the city and its music scene. As Andie Summers of WXTU said, "He left a mark on everyone he came into contact with." For Pierre Robert, it was clear that his legacy would live on through the countless lives he touched during his remarkable 44-year career at WMMR.
When news broke that Pierre Robert, the iconic Philadelphia rock DJ, had passed away at 70, it sent shockwaves through the music industry. The city mourned, but it soon became apparent that his impact extended far beyond local fans. Renowned artists such as Jon Bon Jovi, Alice Cooper, and Billy Idol took to social media to pay tribute to Robert's enduring legacy.
Bon Jovi, with whom Robert had a long-standing friendship, shared a heartfelt remembrance on Instagram, describing Robert as someone who "loved music of all types" and was always eager to support emerging artists. For many in the industry, including Alice Cooper, Robert's passing marked the end of an era – his departure from WMMR's airwaves felt like the loss of a guiding light.
Robert's diverse musical friendships were a testament to his genuine appreciation for all genres of rock & roll. He was as comfortable with New Jersey rock icons and shock-rock legends as he was with nu-metal bands like Linkin Park and Orange County punk outfit The Offspring. The latter recalled a wild bus ride from Philly to New York, where Robert joined in on the singing and drinking session.
Industry heavy-hitters such as Shinedown's Brent Smith and Collective Soul's Ed Roland praised Robert for his kind nature and support. "He was never a critic," Smith said, "he'd always find and embrace the quality of what the artist was trying to convey." Robert was also remembered by The Struts, who called him "one of the most wonderful, supportive, and kind-natured humans we've had the pleasure of meeting."
The music community continued to share their condolences as Billy Idol, Sublime's Jakob Nowell, and Bryan Adams – whose Zoom interview with Robert went unanswered before his passing – paid tribute to the beloved DJ. Graham Nash also shared a heartfelt message, stating that Robert was "a good friend" who always asked great questions.
Local radio personalities in Philadelphia also stepped up to pay their respects, highlighting Robert's lasting impact on the city and its music scene. As Andie Summers of WXTU said, "He left a mark on everyone he came into contact with." For Pierre Robert, it was clear that his legacy would live on through the countless lives he touched during his remarkable 44-year career at WMMR.
like how can we just say goodbye to a legend of rock music? 
he was more than just a dj, he was a friend to so many artists and fans alike 
and it's crazy that the list of tributes keeps growing with everyone from alice cooper to billy idol sharing their stories about him 
his impact on philly's music scene is still being felt today and it's amazing to see how much love and respect he's getting 
i remember reading some interviews where he'd talk about how he wanted to support new bands and help them get discovered 
that's the kind of spirit that makes you wanna shout from the rooftops 
anyway, RIP pierre robert we'll miss you on the airwaves but your music will live on forever 
...he was like a rock legend in his own right you know? his dedication to music & supporting artists was truly inspiring 
...I mean who else could make friends with everyone from Bon Jovi to Linkin Park? 
he was that kind of guy. I'm loving all the tributes on social media btw, it's clear he left a mark on so many people 
. as someone who loves rock music I feel like I've lost a part of my childhood vibes with him gone 
. anyway, let's keep his memory alive & celebrate the amazing legacy he leaves behind 
I mean, who else could make Linkin Park's nu-metal sound like a walk in the park alongside Billy Idol? 
The industry heavy-hitters are right – he was all about embracing quality over criticism. We're gonna miss him on WMMR but his legacy will keep rocking for years to come 
just heard about Pierre Robert and I'm totally gutted 
. he was like a rockstar to me 
always spinning the sickest tracks 
. i remember watching him on WMMR when i was a teenager 
and he'd play all these rad Philly bands 
. it's like an era is gone 
anyway, what's even more amazing is how everyone in the music industry r coming together to pay tribute to his memory 
I mean, who else could bridge the gap between Bon Jovi, Alice Cooper, and Linkin Park? 
Brent Smith from Shinedown said it best - Pierre Robert was never a critic, just a supporter of great music 
Linkin Park would've loved him 
just heard about Pierre Robert's passing and I'm really saddened by the news... 
he was literally the heart of philly's rock scene 
and that's not counting the podcasts & interviews he did 
billy idol shared a zoom convo they had btw 
anyhoo, it's clear why everyone loved him so much 
andie summers from wxtu summed it up perfectly - he left a mark on everyone he came into contact with 
he was all about supporting new artists and being a good guy in the industry 
it's like we're losing another legend and suddenly everyone's an expert on music history. anyway, can we talk about how out of touch these artists are with modern rock? Bon Jovi's always been a bit too commercial for my taste and Alice Cooper's whole shock-rock thing is so played out 
but hey, at least they're showing some respect for the man. what really gets me is how everyone's saying he was "supportive" and had this amazing kind nature... yeah no kidding, that's what we all say about people who are famous for playing music all day 
. He was more than just a DJ; he was a true supporter of emerging artists and a kind soul 
. Can we get a Spotify playlist or something dedicated to his legacy? That would be a great way to keep his memory alive