Ali Hackett is affectionately known in the Tri-State area and beyond as “King of the Oldies”. With music being a major part of his life, Ali has entertained so many with his unmistakable style of music, and his smooth dancing for many years.
While being an avid student of all music, Ali’s heart belongs to the oldies. His studies and research has made him become very well known for his contacts, and expertise in the oldies arena.
While being mostly known for playing oldies, Ali has also mastered being an MC, Host, Promoter, TV Producer, and most recently created one of the most successful outside ventures in Phila.
Nominated for the East Coast Music Hall of Fame in the category of Best Musical D.J.
Education/Skills
Chester High School Grad (1971); U.S. Air Force-(11/71 – 6/84) Honorable Discharge
Phila Community College – Major: Psychology
Philadelphia Arts Institute – Graduated as a Chef (11/10 – 11/11)
Temple University Professor – Starting Spring Semester (01- 19)
Life/Skills
Lived with “The Champ”…Muhammad Ali at Deer Lake-(6/76 – 8/81)
Learned and lived life through a professional boxer’s eyes.
Live Show Experience
FlashBack Friday’s at Malcolm X Park – West Phila, Pa
06/2004 – to 2015 (Every Summer) 5pm – 9pm
Created and implemented by Ali. It was originally designed to entertain the 45 yrs and above once a week outside in the park. But once Ali started playing the oldies, and teaching line dancing, it quickly turned into a major weekly event for all ages, averaging aprox 1600 every week. Recording Artists, Radio, TV, and political figures made appearances very often.
Throwback Thursday’s at Wharton Square Park
South Phila, Pa 5pm – 9pm
Turn Back Tuesday’s at Ethel Waters Park
Chester, Pa 6pm – 9pm
Monday Night Madness at Wilson Park
S. Philly, Pa 5pm -9pm
While at WHAT Radio – Hosted many shows at the Dell East
Radio Station Experience
W.V.L.T. Radio Station, Vineland, N.J. 04/06 – 09/07
On Air Personality. Created and produced own Oldies Music Show.
W.P.E.B. Radio Station, Philadelphia, Pa. 09/98 – 01/99
On Air Personality. Produced and formatted his self created Oldies Music Show.
W.H.A.T. Radio Station, Philadelphia, Pa 04/90 – 06/04
On Air Personality. Formated one of the best Oldies Music Shows in the Tri – State area. Hosted live oldies dance party.
W.T.N.J. Radio Station, Trenton, N.J. – 12/74 – 04/77
One of the first on air personalities to give weekly updates on the soap operas. Acknowledged by Ms. Carol Burnett. Rated #1 show in Trenton area.
W.S.S.J. Radio Station, Seguine, Texas 08/72 – 08/73
Created own oldies show. This show became one of the first and best oldies shows in the Southern Texas Region.
W.P.P.M. Radio Station, Philadelphia, Pa 12/16 – Present
On air personality, formatting own show with the oldies being the mainstay!!!
Internet Presence – Phillycam.org/radio/listen
Every Friday Night – 10pm – 1am
TV Show Experience
Yesterday Once More – The TV Show
Formatted, Produced, and Aired by Ali Hackett. The TV show is an oldies dance show. The show features guests like The Intruders, The Ebony’s, The Orlon’s, The Dream lovers, and the legendary Barbara Mason. The show aired on W.T.V.E. TV Station, Channel 51
Ali’s experience in front of the camera lights span from major TV (Co-hosting Jerry Lewis telethon) to cable TV Hosting and co-hosting children shows), as well as M C ing events and shows with major acts like the Dells, Spinners, Harold Melvin’s Blu- Notes (at the Dell East), to the Three Degrees, Ja Net Baby Washington, (at the Clef Club) to up coming talent in local clubs.
Salt…Pepper and Memories – TV Show
Chef Ali has taken his musical talents and also the newly acquired culinary skills to create a new TV show…called
Salt….Pepper & Memories.
This show is a wellness show and is a cross between Soul Train and American Bandstand with a major twist, that twist is my guest and I actually cook on the show. The show is geared toward but not restricted to the 45 – 50 years and above crowd.
The show is designed to not only entertain with the music, dances, and performances from days gone by, but to reach and teach my viewers a healthier way of eating some of the foods that we grew up on and love, as well as being a fun instrument for “learning” where and how this music came to be for our youngsters.
The show debut on Wednesday June 10th 2015 at 6:30pm on the Comcast Channels 66 & 966 & Verizon Channels 29 & 30, also internet https://phillycam.org/web-channel, it airs weekly.
Salt…Pepper and Memories is the current winner of 2 very prestigious awards (1) “Best New TV Series” by the Philadelphia International Film Festival and Market. 2) the Cammy Awards.