Rob Crocker, the longtime radio host known as "Radio Rob," whodied recently, was a beloved colleague at WBGO, where he worked as host of “Lights Out” and other shows for the station for more than three decades. Several of his colleagues have paid tribute to Rob with their remembrances below. Many more will follow.
WBGO's Gary Walker joined the station just a few years after Rob in the early 80s and became a close friend and colleague in the ensuing decades, as he explains here:
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Monifa Brown, host of "Saturday Evening Jazz" on WBGO, remembers her fellow Brooklyn-born and cat-loving friend as a raconteur of the highest order. Listen here:
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Rob had a unique way of engaging with strangers, as fellow host Brian Delp explains here:
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Sheila Anderson, host of "Weekend Jazz Overnight," remembers Rob's generosity here:
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Steve Williams, president and CEO of WBGO, talks about how inspired he was, and still is, by Rob's worldliness and his dedication to the music. Listen above, or read here:
You can travel the country for decades working in radio stations, as I have, and never experience working with someone as distinguished and dedicated as Rob Crocker.
It has been an unqualified honor to spend the better part of a decade on the same team as Rob, to bear witness to the gifts of an exquisite raconteur, a skilled producer of many memorable moments in sound and consummate professional with significant distinction outside the studio. Rob served his country with military honors and he had an outstanding, history making impact on the business of entertainment as a whole.
For me, Rob entered the scene more than 30 years ago, and although we had yet to meet, his proceeding reputation as an accomplished, well-traveled African American man in broadcasting was an inspiration to the 30-something me—and it was truly a blessing to watch first-hand, the finish to Rob’s long and successful run in the nation’s biggest and most competitive broadcasting market, on the most popular jazz radio station in the world.
My introduction to Rob Crocker was very much like it was for most people—while listening to the radio. At the time we worked for different stations in NYC—I was relatively new in town; Rob had already worked the city for two decades and was highly regarded by many. Before hearing Rob’s dulcet tone and signature cadence on air, I heard about him from a co-worker, who like Rob, hosted a program for a radio station in Tokyo in addition to working on air in NYC. I remember feeling just a bit envious, because one of my chief ambitions was to travel the world working in radio, and wow—the thought of being on the air in Japan was quite a rush. It appealed to my sense of career adventure, which was one two notable points of our commonality. We both travelled great distances to work in radio stations. And of course, we shared a deep and abiding love for music, specifically jazz.
So, it was inevitable that our paths would cross.
That happened for the first time in 2015, when I became WBGO’s director of programming. Shaking his hand, I was in a state of awe, feeling as if I was in the presence of radio royalty. And I was! Rob’s welcoming and forthright nature left an endearing and now lasting impression; he was consistently candid and unabashedly committed to excellence. And in that inaugural exchange, I found out that we had another thing in common—an appetite for Japanese cuisine and a cup of good sake. As time marched on our bond of commonalities grew to include a singular dedication to the best for WBGO. Proof positive of that fact was Rob’s work ethic, which was second to none.He travelled many miles from New York to Newark, in the dead of night or the first light of a new day, to host his regular programs or to fill shifts when others couldn’t or wouldn’t. He jumped at the opportunity to engage with listeners in public, across the region. He rarely missed a staff meeting and was usually the first to attend, the first and sometimes only person to ask or answer questions and he was usually the last to leave the meeting.
In fact, the last time I and most of us saw Rob was—with his beloved cats joining him—in our regular staff meeting, he was energetic, inquisitive, and insightful as ever, a day before he passed away at 78.
Those of us who have spent our lives as broadcasters are accustomed to the ephemeral nature of our jobs – what we do for a living has a relatively short life span, the sound of our efforts evaporates once it leaves the studio, and is rarely remembered, if at all. But that will not be the case for Rob Crocker, whose life’s work will be remembered long after the last note has been played and the final words are spoken.
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Pat Prescott, host of "Favorite Things," first met Rob in the late '70s, and shares what she's learned from Rob, and about Rob, over the years:
From the first day I met Rob, he was teaching me. Literally. He trained me the first day I started on air at legendary jazz station WRVR back in 1978. We've been friends ever since, for over more than 45 years. When I came to work at WBGO two years ago, he reminded me that it wasn't my first time there. Back in the ‘90s I sat in for Rob for a week on WBGO when he was on one of his many trips to Japan. It was lovely to work together again, exchanging texts and emails and even hanging out recently for a show at Smoke. And then the unthinkable happened.
When I got the news of his passing, like everyone at the station and all the fans who had listened to and learned from him for years, I was devastated, but I did find some comfort in the fact that we had these last two years to reconnect and work together once again.
Rob Crocker was well read and well bred; a gentleman and a scholar. A Renaissance man who knew a little about everything and a lot about many things. Rob traveled the world and had great respect for other countries and cultures. He laughed a lot and always found humor in any situation. He embraced life and all it had to offer and found his greatest joy in sharing his love and passion for jazz with everyone he encountered. Losing him just reminds us of how tenuous this life is and how we should all take the time to say the things we need to say to the people that matter. Rob Crocker mattered to a long list of people and because of that he will never be forgotten.
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Jamara Wakefield, the digital content manager at WBGO, remembers Rob's thoughtfulness and consideration here:
I will never forget the day Rob called me, on my second day at work. Our conversations followed a familiar pattern, each one filled with laughter, wisdom, and a genuine connection.
First and foremost, Rob was determined to teach me Japanese, a task at which I admittedly struggled. Yet, he remained steadfast in his belief that one day I would grasp it. Then, he would share a joke to lighten the mood. Next, Rob's eyes would light up as he inquired about my son, whom he affectionately referred to as his "little guy." His genuine interest in my family warmed my heart and created a bond beyond the workplace.
But perhaps most notably, our conversations always circled back to our shared love for cats. Rob adored his feline companions—Jack, Gilda, and Zippo—and regaled me with stories of their antics. His passion for his furry friends was evident in every interaction, and it was no surprise to see a cat perched beside him during our virtual meetings. When we set up his Twitter account, Rob asked if it was OK to feature beloved cats in his profile banner picture—a testament to the deep connection he felt with them.
In the midst of his fiery presence in staff meetings, Rob possessed a tender side that he generously shared with those around him. He was a zealous advocate for both himself and others, unafraid to ask the hard questions and hold leadership accountable. His passion and dedication were unmatched, leaving an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of working alongside him.
As we mourn Rob's passing, we hold onto the memories of his infectious laughter, his unwavering support, and his tender moments of sharing. He will be deeply missed, but his legacy of passion, kindness, and advocacy will live on in our hearts forever. Rest in peace, Radio Rob.
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Becca Pulliam, a longtime WBGO producer and now archivist, was a neighbor of Rob's and recalls his incidental healing powers here:
Rob and I lived on adjacent blocks, near the 103rd Street subway. I would see him on the street. One sunny day I saw him striding toward me on Broadway, moving fast as always as he raised his hand in the air to greet me with a high five. At the time I was rehabilitating a frozen shoulder and saw what was coming. The high five was going to be on my bad side, it was going to be energetic, and it would hurt. Maybe a lot. But it was too late. My hand went up, he delivered the greeting and kept going without missing a beat, and I felt the shoulder move in its socket ...
It hurt at the time but never again. Years later, I am not sure which shoulder it was. He had fixed what was wrong with me with a Rob Crocker smile and a spring in his step. He is already much missed, and always, in this neighborhood.
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John Newcott, director of giving at WBGO, remembers Rob as both a caring and complicated man here:
Although Rob and I knew each other only peripherally during my tenure in the music industry (1982 – 2010), there was already a mutual respect established by the time I started at WBGO in the summer of 2010.
He was incredibly welcoming and kind from the start, and our rapport was immediate and genuine. Rob was a very caring person, always asking about my wife, children, and creative life. We had a few great chats about record production/recording and he was always supportive of my efforts and sincerely interested.
I’d like to think that I returned in kind. It was not uncommon (and I know this was not particular to me) that he would call/text/Email, out of the blue, to ask a question, share an anecdote, or just say “Hi”.
When Rob was first diagnosed with prostate cancer we shared a few very moving conversations.
Rob was a kind-hearted man. However, working with him in a professional capacity was not always easy (though he and I got along quite well in that capacity).
He reminded me of another dear friend of mine from our community, the legendary Charlie Haden. Like Charlie, Rob’s filters were not always set to “control”. He was also, like Mr. Haden, a bit of a Pit Bull; when Rob latched on to an idea or approach he felt strongly about, he’d sink his teeth in and not let go.
This working methodology sometimes resulted in frustrations and/or accompanying eye-rolling from his peers. We worked our way through all that inevitably, because there was never any question that his heart was in the right place.
Rob was a complicated man with many facets and an incredible life’s journey to show for it. Mr. Crocker had the soul of a poet. At the end of the day, isn’t that what matters?
I will miss my friend terribly.
“Cool and the gang, Johnny”
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David Antoine, former chief engineer at WBGO, was just a teenager when he first met Rob Crocker, as he explains here:
It has been my pleasure over the course of my engineering career to work with two very fine gentlemen in radio who have the last name of Crocker. There was Frankie Crocker (The Chief Rocker) who put WBLS on the map and invented what is now known as the “Urban Contemporary” format. Then there is “Radio” Rob Crocker a jazz radio DJ/host extraordinaire, whose smooth voice, smooth demeanor and love and knowledge of jazz took him all over the world.
I met Rob, a fellow Brooklynite at a cultural center in Bed-Stuy Brooklyn called the EAST. In my late teens I worked there part time and hung out there. The East at 10 Claver Place became a jazz music venue on the weekends and in the summer a site for the beginnings of the African Street Festival. Because they did not serve alcohol, I was able to hang out there and learn about sound systems and develop and ear for Pharoah Sanders, Sun Ra, Betty Carter, Freddie Hubard and other jazz luminaires who came to play. They invited Rob Crocker to host and emcee some of these events and that began a long-term friendship that stood the test of time from the late 70’s until his recent passing.
I will miss the weekly calls from Rob…”Just checking on ya”… “Everything cool”.. “Alright now, Kool & Gang”…!!!
Rest in Peace, Rob Crocker.
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Corey Goldberg, operations assistant at WBGO, recalls Rob’s love of the music here:
Everyone who heard Rob Crocker on WBGO was immediately aware of the profound depth of his love for this music and the joy it gave him to share it with them. Those of us who were lucky enough to work with him and call him a friend also knew that his level of emotional commitment continued well after the microphone turned off. Rob was the most supportive, nurturing, and thoughtful colleague one could have. Rob made this world a better place, both on and off the air, and those contributions to all of our lives, from the incredible music to which he introduced us to the late-night phone calls with the latest joke he just had to share, will live on.
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Janice Kirkel, a reporter/anchor at WBGO, got to know Rob even though they had never met in person.
I'm a fill-in newsperson, and he worked on the weekends, so even before the pandemic our paths never crossed. I got to know him in Zoom meetings, for the staff, for the union, and of course listened to his wonderful shows on the weekends. On the phone we talked a lot about the history of the station, and about music. I told him some of my favorite stories about my experiences with jazz and he told me some of his. We elected him our shop steward and he was always there at any hour to help with questions. I really can't say enough about the time I spent working with him, emailing with him if he was subbing for Gary in the morning and I was subbing for Doug doing the news. All I can say is that my time with him was much too short and I will miss him very much.
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In the coming days and weeks, we will be adding more memories of Rob from WBGO hosts and staff, as well as from other colleagues, friends, listeners and artists. Stay tuned.