Growing up, my brother and I listened to the radio in the car with our parents. My mom used to (and she still does to this day) cover the artist and title on the dash and ask us what’s the name of the song and who’s it by–and the answer usually is a hairband from the 80s. Meanwhile, my dad’s music taste made its way into my head via loud, whole car shaking osmosis, thanks to the booming bass of House Of Pain, Kriss Kross and Sir Mix-A-Lot.

In between these artists and songs that have made in onto my Spotify playlists were the voices of Preston Elliot and Steve Morrison of WMMR’s “Preston and Steve” (I know, not the most appropriate for kids, but don’t worry, my dad switched channels when the conversation got really bad), and Pierre Robert who was also a talk-show radio host and DJ.

If you grew up in the Philadelphia area in the early 2000s, you know Robert.

My mom and I had the honor of meeting Robert at a The Hooters concert at the Keswick Theater in Glenside in 2019.

Unable to contain her excitement, my mom yelled “Hi, Pierre!” as he ran by in a purple sparkly jacket. He stopped to say hello and take a picture, which I’m pretty sure is one of my mom’s prized possessions.

Now, up until that point I had only heard his voice, so I was confused why my mom was so excited, but she explained after the interaction. Then, it made sense: that was the voice I heard almost every day during my childhood. 

At the next Hooters concert in May 2025 at the Met in Philadelphia, both my parents got to meet Robert and were even interviewed by him, which did not make it on air, as my parents were star-struck and at a loss for words.

When Robert asked my dad “What was your favorite part of the concert?” my dad responded with, “meeting you!”

That was the effect Robert had.

Robert passed away on October 29. 

When I became a DJ with WDCV, I was so excited to recreate what I heard as a kid–being knowledgeable about the music industry and sharing that passion. 

Unfortunately, I was not able to accomplish this, but I still have a passion for music and communications, which was fostered by those moments listening to the radio-listening to Preston and Steve and Robert.