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Key Points Rick Springfield mourns legendary Philadelphia DJ Pierre Robert, who died at age 70. Fans and musicians, including The Hooters and Jon Bon Jovi, shared emotional tributes. Robert was celebrated for his decades-long impact on WMMR and rock music culture. Rick Springfield is reacting to the unexpected death of a rock radio legend. On Oct. 29, the singer, 76, posted a photo of longtime Philadelphia disc jockey Pierre Robert to social media. Robert was photographed sitting in the studio of rock station 93.3 WWMR while smiling and wearing red high-top sneakers. “We lost one of the greats,” Springfield captioned the photo of the legendary DJ. “Rest in power, Pierre. 🙏🏼 @pierrerobert933 @933wmmr.” Fans reacted to Springfield’s post about the beloved radio personality, who died on Oct. 29. “Met him at your concert 2 years ago. Was such a great guy who was super patient with pictures and a chat. He will be missed,” one fan commented on Springfield’s Facebook post. “We are so broken-hearted here in Philly. Thanks for this Rick!” another wrote. Oops! We’re unable to load this content right now. View directly on Instagram Fans were stunned when it was reported on Wednesday that Robert died suddenly at age 70. The legendary radio DJ was found dead at his home, with no official cause of death given, NBC Philadelphia reported. Robert helmed WMMR’s mid-day slot for decades and was known for his weekday “work force block” segments and annual playing of the complete version of Arlo Guthrie’s “Alice’s Restaurant” each Thanksgiving. Robert joined WMMR in 1981 and became friends with the many rock stars that came through the station’s doors, including Springfield. Springfield has had a long relationship with WMMR, dating back to his “Jessie’s Girls” days in the 1980s. In July 1985, he played at Live Aid in Philadelphia, which was heavily covered by WWMR. Springfield also appeared in a 50th birthday gallery for the station and as recently as April 2025, he was a guest on The Preston and Steve Show, which was the slot before Robert’s weekday radio show. Springfield is not the only musician to pay tribute to Robert. In a gut-wrenching Instagram post, rock band The Hooters posted a tribute to Robert, whom they considered part of their “family.” “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we are writing this post,” the Philadelphia-based band wrote. “We have lost someone so special to all of us, a member of our ‘family’ and we are gutted to the core. There are no words for what we are feeling right now, only despair. Pierre Robert, you are the original ‘good citizen’, you are irreplaceable. There is the brightest star shining in the heavens right now. You will be missed like no other. We love you, Rest in Rock ’n’ Roll.” Bon Jovi frontman Jon Bon Jovi also posted a lengthy tribute to Robert, whom he described as a “great” and “loyal friend.”
