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Also naming Federal Street, between 6th and 7th Streets, as “Bob Pantano Way”.
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WHEREAS, Bob Pantano, a South Philadelphia native, started spinning at the record hops in the late 1960s and then the nightclubs in the 70s. His professional radio career began at WCAM in Camden, New Jersey in 1971. Bob pioneered the live-radio broadcast, “The Saturday Night Dance Party”, in 1977, which airs every Saturday night live from 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. on 98.1 WOGL HD2 and Audacy and is the longest running radio dance party in the nation, now celebrating 47 years and has enthralled and entertained Philadelphia audiences with its upbeat dance music; and
WHEREAS, Bob's entertaining and engaging banter have kept the crowds returning year after year, building a captive and loyal audience. During the past forty-five (45) years his Live Radio Dance Party has been broadcast from various hotels, nightclubs, and casinos. Hundreds of thousands of Delaware Valley residents have met, danced, and even fallen in love to that special mix of music that Bob Pantano's Saturday Night Dance Party is so well known for. Bob's knack for playing the best record hop tunes of the 60s along with the dance club classics of the 70s & 80s has made him a celebrity in the Delaware Valley; and
WHEREAS, Bob is also the host of The Vendemmia Festival in South Philadelphia. Bob keeps the concert circuit hopping with his well-known "Sounds of Philly Show" which features some of the best local and national recording artists. Bob has hosted shows at the Wachovia Center, Trump Plaza, Wildwood Convention Center, Penn's Landing, summer concerts in the Philadelphia and South Jersey parks, Resorts Casino Hotel, and corporate functions and charitable events; and
WHEREAS, Bob hosts an annual radiothon on his Saturday Night Dance Party benefiting Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. Bob who is an honorary Deputy Police Commissioner is the MC of the Hero Plaque Program in Philadelphia, which commemorates the heroism of Philadelphia Police officers who gave their lives serving in the line of duty. He has also been the MC for the annual Hero Thrill Show benefiting the families of our fallen heroes (Police and Fireman families). Bob is involved with Church of the Holy Family, Washington Twp. NJ (where he hosts the annual Primavera Festival), The Taste of South Philly for Saints John Neumann & Maria Goretti Catholic High Schools plus numerous other charitable events; and
WHEREAS, In 2007 Bob was inducted into the Temple University School of Communications and Theater Hall of Fame and received a sidewalk plaque on the Wildwood Avenue of the Stars. In 2008 Bob was inducted into The Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, On June 25th, 2014, Bob was honored with The Phillies Gamble & Huff Community Partnership Award during the 11th annual Phillies African American Heritage Celebration presented by The Sound of Philadelphia at Citizens Bank Park; and
WHEREAS, On November 20th, 2015, Bob was honored as the Broadcast Pioneers 2015 Person of the year. On October 4th, 2017, Bob was inducted into The Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame on Broad Street; and
WHEREAS, From Bob's days of spinning records at the hops in the late 1960s, to his move into the nightclubs in the 70s, to bringing those nostalgic moments back to packed audiences today, his highly acclaimed reputation in radio, television, and area concerts is unsurpassed in the region, making him a celebrated Philly success; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the 600 block of Federal Street, between 6th Street and 7th Streets in the City of Philadelphia, shall henceforth also be known as “Bob Pantano Way”.
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