tidings
Corey Connelly
Broadcasting legend Winston David Elcock has been remembered as a consummate professional who not only nurtured the talents of budding broadcasters but also created avenues for local artists to showcase their talents to the world.
Singer Carol Addison performed one of several tributes to Elcock on Saturday during his funeral service at the R Steven Legal Funeral Home, Avenue N, Brooklyn, New York.
Elcock, who would have turned 79 later this month, died in New York at around 1.30pm on August 25 after a long illness.
One of Trinidad and Tobago’s pioneering broadcasters, he was best known for the National Broadcasting Service’s (NBS) Radio 610 program Elcock in the Morning, which ran from the early 70s to the 90s.
Addison, who immigrated to the US many years ago, said she owed a huge debt of gratitude to Elcock, whom she considered a friend and confidant.
“I owe a tremendous part or maybe all of my career to the support that Dave gave me because through him promoting my music, he positioned me in a way that opened a lot of doors around the globe and a lot of things happened as a result of his support his. music,” she told mourners.
Addison said Elcock, who gave his life to Christ several years ago, also attended many of the Brooklyn Tabernacle concerts and other venues where she served.
“So I owe him a lot and thank God for his life.”
The singer said she and Elcock also bonded over the loss of their husbands. His wife, who had been battling cancer, passed away almost three years ago.
At the end of her tribute, Addison sang the hymn, I Will Lift Up My Eyes and Take Me Back, one of Elcock’s favorites. The latter, she said, was the only gospel song from her Born To Shine album.
Tobago entertainer Michael Baker, calypsonian David Rudder and gospel artist The Rev Nicole Ballosingh-Holder, in separate virtual tributes, also recalled Elcock helping them during the early part of their careers.
Saying Elcock was instrumental in his popularity on the local airwaves, Baker said he played some of his tunes on the radio, including The Base, Who Take Way She Man, A Good Working Old Thing Better Than A Young Thing and his well-known tune, Come Find out in both of us.
Baker listed several notable broadcasters of the 1970s and 1980s, saying Elcock ranked high among them.
But he lamented that the popular broadcaster had to leave the career he loved in search of greener pastures in the US.
“In another society, someone said, Big Brother Dave Elcock would have been retained to train and mentor the current generation of local broadcasters. Instead, at the height of his illustrious career, Elcock was forced to steer it to the United States to seek employment in another industry, only occasionally venturing into his first love, promoting the culture on air,” Baker said.
Rudder also recalled that Elcock, whom he described as an extraordinary broadcaster, had also promoted his music in the early days.
“I hope I answered in a good way,” he said, adding that Elcock’s work has been embedded in the psyche of citizens for generations.
Ballosingh-Holder said Elcock sought inspiration from everyone and in everything he did.
“But he went a step further, whatever inspired him he invested and I thank God that my voice and my music inspired him and he chose to invest in it,” she said.
“That act opened so many doors for me beyond the church and religious communities that I could inspire many nations in the world today.”
In their reflections, Elcock’s children Jason, Mark and Amanda spoke of their father’s passion for radio, sense of humor, humility and generosity.
Jason, who he had with his first wife, singer Mavis John, said his father had always loved the radio.
“I remember him telling stories about his childhood and the others, my godfather, saying that they were going to walk with him and he pretended to announce something that was happening,” he said.
“They go to a football game and he would be the announcer on the sidelines. It was something he loved from a young age and continued throughout his life.”
Jason said that despite his father’s very public persona, he was happiest at home.
He added that while Elcock was not perfect, he never had bad intentions towards anyone and was always brutally honest.
Mark, who works in the film, television and music industries, said he learned early in life that his father had always loved the media.
“But to me he was just dad,” he said.
Mark shared that some of his fondest memories of his father were the early days when they went jogging around the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain.
He said all the coconut vendors around Savannah knew Elcock and often complimented him on his work.
“But he would always ask them about their lives.”
Amanda, an author, said she is now trying to come to terms with the loss of both her parents within a short time.
She has also shared some fun moments as a child.
Saying they enjoyed eating powdered milk together, Amanda recalled that he also sneaked sips of coffee before leaving their home to host Scouting For Talent. She said sometimes he would even wrestle with them.
Amanda said Elcock also had a collection of poems which he shared with her.
Elcock’s brother, Lloyd, delivered the eulogy. Veteran media personalities Neil Giuseppi, Wayne Le Blanc and Vic Fernandes also offered virtual tributes.
