Pierre Robert, the longtime radio host on 93.3 WMMR in Philadelphia, has died, the Beasley Media Group said Wednesday.

Robert joined the rock station in 1981 and was one of the most recognizable personalities on the airwaves in the region. 

He “hosted the midday show with his unabashed love for music, his listeners, and the city,” the statement says. “The legendary rock radio personality was best known for his welcoming ‘Greetings Citizens’ salutation, along with his big heart and warm voice.”

His show included daily features such as Pierre’s Vinyl Cut and “On This Day” history lessons. 

“He truly cared about his listeners and the people of Philadelphia,” Beasley Media Group, which owns WMMR, said in the statement. 

He supported charitable efforts, including the AIDS Walk and Manna’s Pie in the Sky fundraiser.

“For the amount of love Pierre showed the listeners over the radio dial, over WMMR, all of these years, that’s exactly who he was,” Brent Porche, a DJ at WMMR, said. “Peace, love, you can’t forget the rock, and the roll.”

Ryan Shuttleworth, Robert’s producer at the station, called him a “remarkable human being.”

“You’ll hear a lot of us express he was our hero, he was our idol,” Shuttleworth said. 

“Being with him has been the greatest joy of my life,” Shuttleworth added.

Tributes pour in for Pierre Robert

Tributes from around the music community are pouring in for Robert. 

“I’ve had a couple calls from a couple different rockstars that are absolutely gutted at the word of his passing,” Porche said.

Rocker Jon Bon Jovi posted photos on Facebook, calling Pierre a loyal friend and someone who truly loved music and musicians, both famous and the industry’s rising stars. 

“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,” the post said. “This man was as curious as he was clever, he was a real musicologist. He knew your influence and your influences. He was a loyal friend. He didn’t care if you were the fad or the fashion of the moment. He just cared.” 

Dave Uosikkinen, drummer for The Hooters, said Robert was family to him. 

“He championed us so much, I feel like we couldn’t have done it without him,” Uosikkinen said. “I’ve met a lot of radio DJs that had special attributes, but Pierre had that way of caring about people no matter who you were.”

The Preston & Steve Show on WMMR will have a tribute to Robert on air Thursday morning. 

WMMR's Pierre Robert kneels behind his plaque it on the Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame at University of the Arts

WMMR’s Pierre Robert kneels behind his plaque after being presented with it on the Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame at University of the Arts on Oct. 22, 2019, in Philadelphia.

William Thomas Cain / Getty Images

Robert was added to the Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia in 2019. 

“We all have heavy hearts today,” Caroline Beasley, CEO of the media group, said. “Pierre’s unwavering love for music and his deep connection with listeners made him one of radio’s most enduring and beloved voices. He will be greatly missed.”

Robert, who was 70 years old, was found dead at his home Wednesday, and no foul play is suspected, according to the media group.

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