The Philadelphia radio community is mourning the loss of Pierre Robert, a beloved DJ whose voice graced the airwaves for nearly five decades. Robert passed away at the age of 70.

Known for his distinctive pronunciation of his surname, “Ro-Bear,” Robert was discovered deceased at his residence on Wednesday. This was confirmed by Beasley Media Group, the parent company of his station, WMMR. While no foul play is suspected, the company has not disclosed further details surrounding his passing.

Caroline Beasley, CEO of Beasley Media Group, expressed the collective sorrow felt by the community. “Today, our hearts are heavy,” she stated. “Pierre’s passion for music and his profound bond with our listeners established him as one of radio’s most cherished and enduring personalities. His absence will be deeply felt.”

Robert, whose full name was William Pierre Robert, began his illustrious career in California, where he worked at San Francisco’s KSAN rock station. His journey eventually led him east, where he became a fixture on Philadelphia’s WMMR, endearing himself to generations of listeners with his love of music and unique on-air presence.

Robert, born William Pierre Robert, was raised in California and got his start as a radio DJ on San Francisco’s KSAN rock station before heading east.

His legendary career with WMMR spanned over 44 years, beginning in 1981 and became a constant voice for listeners in southeastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, Delaware and parts of Maryland.

The “Pierre Robert Show” broadcast daily from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays with his famous welcome, “Greetings, Citizens.” 

He covered all things rock ‘n’ roll from the classics to local talent.

In one of his final Instagram posts on Sunday, Robert shared a photo of himself reading a book and drinking a coffee on a park bench.

“Sunday afternoon in Philly in my beloved Rittenhouse Square, with a great book, a cup of La Colombe, watching the world lazily drift by… pretty close to perfection!” he wrote.

Fellow disc jockeys Preston Elliot and Steve Morrison, who opened WMMR’s morning ahead of Robert with the “Preston and Steve Show,” remembered their “dear friend” after his death.

“WMMR was his pulpit, and he preached the gospel of rock n’ roll, and gave us all common ground to dance on,” the duo wrote on Instagram. “In good times, his optimism was infectious, and on tough days, his words offered familiar comfort to every Good Citizen.

“Pierre opened his arms to anyone [sic] wanted to come along for the ride, insisting that WMMR is Everything That Rocks! And he lived it,” they said.

Jon Bon Jovi joined the chorus of tributes that poured in for Robert, remembering him as a lover of music.

“Today we lost a great friend. Someone who truly LOVED music. All types of music. Someone who loved musicians. Not just famous ones, or chart toppers. He admired local artists and tomorrow’s rising stars,” Bon Jovi wrote on Instagram

The “Livin on a Prayer” singer mentioned the DJ is the “loneliest man in showbiz.”

“His voice helped the hungry and the homeless, and he did it because he cared… About you, about me, about making the world a little kinder wonder filled place to live…” Bon Jovi wrote. “His memory will live with us as it will with all of the people he touched.”

“We were all lucky to have him as a guide to his musical galaxy And I was lucky to have him as a friend..
Thank you Pierre..” he added.

Robert had signed a contract extension with WMMR in January 2024, solidyfying his career in Philadelphia for several years, until his shocking death.

WMMR suspended its regular programming Wednesday to mourn Robert’s death. No replacement has been named by the station.