IN another society, “Big Brother” David Elcock would have been retained to train and mentor the current local generation of broadcasters.
Instead, at the prime of his illustrious career, Elcock was forced to high-tail it to the US and to seek employment in another industry, dabbling only occasionally in his first love – promoting culture on the air.
It is a tribute to the broadcasting icon that Trinidad and Tobago is united in mourning his passing, even as we muse over his singular gift as a radio and show presenter.
Elcock was not only the person who woke up and entertained a generation at a time of only two radio stations.
He was a standard-bearer for proper diction and professionalism, which he had garnered from the immediate post-independence cohort of broadcasters.
He was a stickler for proficiency and polish.
His various on-air characters showcased his creative genius.
Elcock was a skilled show emcee, and his repartee with Tommy Joseph was another work of art.
In all of this, he was gentlemanly, old-fashioned, even prudish.
The peak of his career matched my prolific years, and I wrote of his rich talent as well as his conservative nature, including his quiet disapproval of certain risqué soca lyrics.
In my last interview with him, a Sunday Guardian Q&A, he bemoaned the falling industry standards.
He said: “I get the impression that not enough emphasis is being placed on training, proper education, ability to speak fluently, to enunciate well.”
Elcock was a patriot, and it is sadly ironic that he has passed away mere days from the country’s diamond independence anniversary.
His death is yet another bitter reminder of the loss of a creative generation without their works being properly archived or utilised to inspire and teach the current crop.
Dave Elcock’s prodigious talent alerts us to the storehouse of capacity in these islands.
He was the best of us.
