DJ Spins for Seniors

From American Bandstand’s Dick Clark to today’s DJ Khaled, party emcees and disc jockeys set the mood and bring groups together with memorable tunes, raps and jives.

At 81, Ed Rosenblatt is spinning music at both Somerby senior living community in Sandy Springs and on FM station Radio Recliner, where one can find his show “Windjammer.”

He said, “I tend to play romance themes reminiscent of the music we heard in the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s and golden oldies.”

Monthly on Wednesday evenings, Rosenblatt spins for residents, handing out singalong sheets. He also plays piano, harmonica, ukulele, and guitar. On Sundays, he performs at Somerside Memory Care at Somerby.

“It’s so meaningful that many of these residents who may not interact at a high level are able to sing along with lyrics and tap their feet and fingers. Music we heard in our twenties and thirties stays in our memories forever.” Rosenblatt’s late wife lived in the Somerside facility.

As a young child growing up in Tampa, Fla., he was not particularly musically inclined, but played 5-minute medleys on the two baby grand pianos at home. His real claim to fame was being recognized by appearing on package labels in grocery stores for his grandparents’ Tampa meat processing plant.

After attending the University of Florida, he spent the next two decades in Orlando. Rosenblatt still works as an independent contractor for SouthEast LINK, a Jewish- owned chemical supply company. It has many high-profile accounts such as Emory and Georgia state universities, the former Philips Arena (now State Farm Arena) and several of the Jewish day schools. He has 17 grandchildren from his blended family.

On the Radio Recliner station, Rosenblatt is known as DJ Windjammer.

Radio Recliner is a station run by DJs from senior living communities across the country to help those who may be room-bound to stay connected. It started during the pandemic. There are a variety of male and female disc jockeys each playing their own themes. Listeners can call in requests and view on their tablet or screen, where they can type in requests or call a flashing phone number.

Rosenblatt introduces each song; and his signature sign-off is playing The Kingston Trio’s “Sloop John B” on his ukulele. If one doesn’t catch the show live, it can be dialed back from a prerecording. Rosenblatt’s playlist typically includes The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, George Benson, Gordon Lightfoot, Neil Diamond and John Denver.

Rosenblatt works out every day on the elliptical in the Somerby gym with Joan Baez and James Taylor on his phone. “How Sweet it Is,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” “Fire and Rain.” His other hobbies are saltwater deep sea fishing. “I read fiction by my favorite authors: Daniel Silva, Steve Berry, Nelson DeMille, Clive Cussler, Ken Follett, David Baldacci, all spy and mysteries. If I like the author, I read every book they ever wrote!”

His main hobby is creating shell folk art. “My parents both did shell art, and shell displays with electric lights. Mother made shell dolls with hand-painted faces. They sold them in 1950s in my grandfather’s gift shop.” At Somerby Rosenblatt’s creations are on display and sell for $75 to $150. “These are made from very old shells which my brother saved from the west coast of Florida. When I moved into Somerby, I renewed the hobby. They were originally not made to sell.”

Rosenblatt appeared in the March edition of magazine exemplifying the making of musical connections.

He concluded, “OK, so I tell Jewish jokes in my show. Here’s one to end on:

Mrs. Goldberg was in Miami Beach on a rocking chair out front of the hotel when her son called.

“Mom, how are you?”

“Vell, I’m feeling a little veak. I haven’t eaten in nine days.”

“Why mom? That’s awful.”

“Just in case my son should call me, I shouldn’t have food in my mouth.