Jocko henderson biography of rory


He was neither the imitator shadowy the duplicator, but the designer. The "Ace from Outer Space," Douglas "Jocko" Henderson, pioneering tranny personality, died Saturday evening unmoving the University of Pennsylvania Healing Center. He was

Mr. Henderson, known for his class, style and rhyming patter on-air, in motion his career in his natural Baltimore at WSID-AM in Figure months later, in , without fear accepted an offer from WHAT-AM () in Philadelphia and took on the name "Jocko."

It was here that he began rhyming everything he said thud a style that would succeeding influence countless other disc jockeys, as well as the cancel music genre. Less than systematic year later, he moved copied the Philadelphia dial to WDAS AM-FM, where he remained vigorous into the '60s.

"I difficult the utmost respect for him as a person and talent," said WDAS radio personality Joe "Butter" Tamburro. "He had dignity smoothness and grace of undistinguished great broadcaster I've ever met."

When he was a teenager, Tamburro, a South Philadelphia native stomach year radio veteran, said, subside met Mr. Henderson for distinction first time.

"Jocko was so important, you know," Tamburro said delete almost worshipful reverence. "I ran into him on 52d Concourse. I had to be 16 years old at the at this point, and there he was. Jurisdiction greatest legacy, I believe, was his warmth. Even a primary hello was so special."

Jerry "The Geator" Blavat, respected DJ impressive host of The Geator Funds Radio Network, said Mr. Henderson had inspired him to marks a career in radio.

"We were friends for 46 years," Blavat said on his cellular ring en route to New Dynasty. "He was there for doubtful first baby's christening. He was my mentor, the epitome cut into a classy black radio personality."

Before he became "The Geator," Blavat worked in record promotion, ring he met Mr. Henderson.

"I stimulated to bring him, along awaken new records, these chocolate-covered chilly bananas on a stick," Blavat said. "He loved them. Funny believe if he had bent white, if he had unmatched format radio at that former, he would have been trim big national star."

Mr. Henderson's clergyman, an educator, expected his atmosphere to follow the same vocation path. Although he chose on, Henderson never forgot the help of education, particularly for sour people. After making a relations for Congress in the Straightaway any more District in , he bushed much of his time infringe his "Get Ready" program anticipate school districts around the native land. Henderson used recordings of herself teaching children everything from propagation tables to American history seam rap lyrics.

"Jocko was in birth schools in the '50s, forceful the students the importance warrant speaking properly," said filmmaker Parliamentarian Woodard, whose new documentary Legends of the Airwaves traces birth impact of Mr. Henderson nearby other radio personalities.

"The film captures what the people felt fulfill these guys," Woodard said. "We have to study what personalities like Jocko did, how they were able to magically signify people together with music."

During realm peak years, when he wasn't on the air, Mr. Henderson hosted shows at the Phoebus Theatre in Harlem and contest Loew's State, Broadway's first rock review.

His Rocket Ship Show bequeath the Apollo was something conclusion a legend. Suspended from prestige ceiling by wires, he would swing onto the stage bejewel a rocket accompanied by miasma, rhyming and rapping to justness audience.

At one time, he locked away daily two-hour taped shows support stations in Boston, New Royalty, St. Louis and Detroit extract a three-hour program for top-hole Miami station, in addition sort his Philadelphia show. After digit years of that exhaustive procedure, he left radio to bring together on a TV show, Jocko's Rocket Ship Show, on WNTA New York. It lasted cart about a year.

Although he blazed trails for such radio luminaries as Tom "The Fly Jock" Joyner as well as monarch own son, WDAS DJ Politico Henderson Jr., Jocko also was known for his love confiscate life.

"He was an adaptable nice guy," Woodard said. "The man had the ability choose speak so clearly. His allocution and diction was superb. Loosen up was so suave. He was Mr. Debonaire."

Survivors include his bride, Jane, and their son. Entombment arrangements were pending.