The Philadelphia Music Alliance inductee was on the air for more than four decades
Pierre Robert, a longtime on-air talent at 93.3 WMMR in Philadelphia, has died. The station’s parent company Beasley Media Group confirmed the news. According to official, the rock radio icon passed away in his home. His was 70-years old.
“We’re heartbroken to share the passing of our dear friend and legendary voice, Pierre Robert,” WMMR said in a statement. You will be missed beyond words.”
Preston Elliot and Steve Morrison, hosts of the award-winning WMMR morning show Preston & Steve, paid tribute to Pierre on social media.
“It breaks our hearts that we share the passing of our dear friend Pierre Robert. Pierre’s voice has been woven into the fabric of Philadelphia for more than 40 years. WMMR was his pulpit, and he preached the gospel of rock n’ roll, and gave us all common ground to dance on. 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 [who] wanted to come along for the ride, insisting that WMMR is Everything That Rocks! And he lived it.”
In an emotional statement. Shinedown guitarist Zach Myers simply said, “I don’t know the last time I’ve cried this hard. I love you Pierre.”
Bon Jovi leader Jon Bon Jovi penned a tribute, saying, “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 tomorrows rising stars. 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. And that mattered. I’ve often talked about the loneliest man in showbiz. The DJ, someone who preached the gospel of the song to anyone who would listen.. this man was also very in touch with his humanity. 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.. his memory will live with us as it will with all of the people he touched. That man is Pierre Robert. The legendary DJ at WMMR In Philadelphia..he passed away in his sleep last night. The station was lucky to have him on the air. 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. Godspeed.”
“Very sad to hear that legendary DJ Pierre Robert of 93.3 WMMR has left the airwaves, or at least tuned to another frequency,” Alice Cooper said. “My condolences to his friends, family, fans and co-workers! We were just there in Philly chatting with Pierre in August. Pierre – See you on the other side!”
Living Colour said, “We just heard the news that 93.3 WMMR radio personality and great human Pierre Robert passed away. Living Colour offers our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and fans worldwide and to the great folks at ‘MMR! Rest In Power good citizen!”
Collective Soul said, “Some moments don’t need polish, or pixels even. This is one of them. We realize this isn’t our usual type of post, but we want to make sure we honor the him in this moment. The rawness of grief and loss is something we have all experienced at one point or another in our lives. Pierre Robert wasn’t just a voice on the radio — he was a friend, a constant, and a true believer in rock & roll. For decades, his spirit and love for music shaped the Philly airwaves and touched countless lives, including ours. We’ll miss you, brother. Your light, your laugh, your heart. Thank you for always believing in the music and the people who make it. Rest easy, Pierre. We love you, brother. This one hurts.”
Along with their post on social media, Collective Soul shared a clip of a tearful Ed Roland (vocals), who remembered Pierre fondly.
“I can’t believe this is real,” said Silvertide guitarist Nick Perri, who also leads his own group Nick Perri & The Underground Thieves. “The Philadelphia rock radio icon Pierre Robert has left us today. I grew up with the sound of his voice, and it’s still been one of the city’s guiding lights – as I know it has for millions of other Philadelphians. Sad day. Safe travels to a legend, and a friend.”
Ed Kowalczyk of Live stated, “With heavy hearts yet full of gratitude for the chance to know a guy like Pierre Robert; we bid farewell. Pierre was a very early supporter of Live and a steadfast friend and partner with us over the years. So many amazing memories rushing in of him, hanging by the mics interviewing at WMMR, performing in the studio, the many hangs backstage in Philly… Pierre’s enthusiasm for rock and roll and for Live was totally electric and could turn your whole day around, even early in the morning! Rest in Power and Peace, Pierre. They won’t be making another one like you.”
Beasley Media Group shared a lengthy statement about Pierre’s passing.
We are very saddened to share the passing of legendary 93.3 WMMR Radio Personality Pierre Robert.
According to police reports, Pierre was found deceased in his home on Wednesday, October 29. The circumstances surrounding his passing are not yet known. No foul play is suspected.
A true radio icon, Pierre was one of the most recognized personalities in the City of Philadelphia. He joined the rock station back in 1981 and hosted the midday show with his unabashed love for music, his listeners, and the city. The legendary rock radio personality was best known for his welcoming ‘Greetings Citizens’ salutation, along with his big heart and warm voice!
Pierre encompassed everything that rocks – the new and familiar, rock and alternative, punk and singer-songwriter… whether presenting in the air studio, on-stage, or unearthing treasures in the MMaRchives. His daily features, including Noontime Workforce Blocks, Pierre’s Vinyl Cut, exclusive artist interviews, live in-studio performances and “On This Day” history lessons were fully enjoyed by a large and dedicated audience.
In addition, Pierre’s generosity was unparalleled- from attending and hosting the Aids Walk to his on-air support of Manna’s Pie in the Sky fundraiser, along with his active and genuine support of all charitable initiatives of WMMR. He truly cared about his listeners and the people of Philadelphia. One of the city’s most recognizable celebrities, Pierre was at the center of its live music scene, greeting his legions of fans as if personal friends in the smallest clubs and largest stadiums. His star is included on the Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame.
The entire WMMR and Beasley Media Group family are deeply saddened by this incredible loss. Our condolences go out to Pierre Robert’s family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time.
“We all have heavy hearts today,” adds Beasley Media Group Chief Executive Officer Caroline Beasley. “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.”
William Pierre Robert—known to the Philadelphia rock-radio audience simply as Pierre Robert—has, over the course of more than four decades, become one of the most enduring and recognizable voices on the region’s airwaves. Born on August 1, 1955, in Truckee, California, Robert grew up in the Lake Tahoe region, the son of a motel-owning family who exposed him early to the shifting cultural landscape of late-1960s/early-70s rock.
His radio career began in the San Francisco Bay Area, at pioneering progressive-rock station KSAN‑FM (94.9), where he cut his teeth amidst the counter-culture of the era and experienced firsthand the shifts in FM rock radio. When KSAN changed format, Robert decided to leave. After driving his vintage 1970 Volkswagen van (famously dubbed “Minerva”) across the country, he arrived in Philadelphia in 1981 seeking opportunity and meaning. His move was prompted by a romantic relationship (which ultimately didn’t work out)—but the job did.
Robert joined legendary rock station WMMR in Philadelphia in 1981, initially working in the music library and office at a modest wage before moving into on-air shifts. He started during weekends and overnights, then gradually took on the midday slot where he remains best known. His signature greeting – “Greetings, Citizens!” – has become a hallmark of his on-air persona.
Over the years, Robert carved out his niche as a free-thinking rock DJ with eclectic taste, a love of live music, and a distinctive bond with Philadelphia’s concert-goers. He has introduced playlists that bridge classic rock and contemporary artists, embraced listener requests via his “Work Force Blocks,” and resurrected vinyl cuts on-air as part of his program. The roots of his approach reflect a freedom of programming less common today: as he once stated, “If something makes sense and I have an instinct to do it, then I do it.”
In recognition of his tenure and impact, Robert was inducted into the Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame in 2019, an honor reserved for those who have significantly shaped the region’s musical culture. In 2021, on the occasion of his 40th year at WMMR, the station renamed its on-air studio in his honor.
Robert’s place in Philadelphia radio is unique: few personalities spend more than a handful of years at a major market station, and his continuous service at WMMR since 1981 speaks to both his adaptability and the loyalty of his audience. He describes the city in quintessential “citizen” terms: a big city that still feels like a small town, one that embraces authenticity.
Off the air, Robert’s passions mirror his on-air identity: he’s deeply involved in the live-music scene, is known to attend thousands of concerts, and remains gregarious and accessible to listeners. A memorable anecdote: in 1994, at a The Grateful Dead show at the Spectrum, Robert presented the band with a flag in honor of their milestone performance—that moment cemented his connection to both artist and audience.
In January 2024, at age 68, Robert signed a multi-year contract extension with WMMR, signaling his intent to remain on the air for the foreseeable future. “To paraphrase the Grateful Dead: What a long, strange, and wonderful trip it’s been … and still is!” he said in announcing the renewal.
Pierre Robert’s career is emblematic of the way a radio personality can become woven into a city’s cultural fabric: his Saturday-night appearances, his spontaneous concert-floor antics (yes, he crowd-surfed at a Green Day show in 1994), and his consistent presence from the studio booth to the local music venue all serve to make him more than a DJ — he is a local institution.
In sum, Pierre Robert is the kind of DJ who bridges eras—from the vinyl-led progressive rock days of the late 70s and early 80s to the digital streaming-era rock radio environment of the 2020s—while remaining anchored in a community and a city that still listens. His story is one of persistence, musical devotion, and local resonance.