TONY COBB
The Maven
By: C. Harrison/Dec 30, 2014/8:34pm-update 1/25/2015
He, is acosmopolitan who almost always get what he wants and the job done; where ever and whatever it is, that he’s working on. For those who are lucky enough to know him, can claim that he can be reputed, while others may say that he has no reproof. This Journalist can say, while Tony Cobb, (The cat behind the glasses), has conspicuous characteristics about him, he has remained steadfast a good friend. Cobb, to his listeners remains an hallmark.
Recently, Cobb, who is 93.5 WVIP’s most eloquent radio host celebrated his Nineteen Year Anniversary, via the Wimbly Night Club, inside of the Bronx; where he was bestowed upon by a parade of friends, notables and well wishers, including: City Councilman Andy King, Ed Robinson-Producer/Singer, Keeling Beckford-Singer, Dance Master-dancer-singer-radio host, Steven Souza-singer, Mesha Consious-singer, Street Hype’s Editor Patrick Maitland and a core of media on lookers. The extravagant affair was not only well attended but turned out blatantly successful.
Before the elicited event, this Journalist had the chance once again to have a conversation with Mr. Cobb. My last bout with this jaunty suave, was 2002, when I did my first article on him, which was published in the Gleaner Extra Newspaper. I interviewed him this time around because it was almost 20-years since I wrote him up .
According to this precise Cat, he is celebrating his 19-year, anniversary because he feels that he had a good achievement. He explained that his show was going very well and that while he had not done anything differently for his show, he did extend his gospel segment a bit longer. “I have a lot of church brothers and sisters who listens to me. I get calls from Canada, the Caribbean, London, the Cayman Island, and as far away as Africa, and around the New York tri-states area,” Cobb divulged . He conceded that his show is very informative.
Conversely, when asked about his listenership, Cobb explained it this way, “The last time I heard about my listenership, it was close to two and a half million listeners and at the times that I come on air in the mornings, I am the only one on www.wvipfm.com. I get half of that percentage of the two million. The internet drives up the listenership and I play a lot of R&Bs and Reggae,” he stated. In addition, Cobb, articulated that he was doing the best that he can for his listeners and voiced that he is very simple and easy going. The ‘Cat Behind the Glasses,’ said that people must decide on his show. “I am a modest person and I don’t have any egoism about me,” he quipped.
Cobb, a master at his profession, spearheaded and promoted some of the biggest names in R&B and Reggae, inside the music arena. Cobb helped to shape what we know today as the Music Industry. And being one of music’s premier principals, he has helped: Promoters, Producers, Business personals, Singers, Actors, and countless notables. Cobb’s promotional array of musicians included: Steve Wonder, The Jackson 5, Beres Hammond, Ken Booth, John Holt, Toots and the Mapals, Dennis Brown, Delroy Wilson, Bob Marley, Freddie Jackson, Alton Hellis, Freddie MaGregore, Marcia Griffins, the Slylite, the Stylestics, Percy Slesge, Benny King, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Cuba Goodins and the Main Ingredients, Hopeton Lewis, Dennis Headards, and Stranger Cold…among so many many others.
“Tony Cobb, is a fair man,” stated Chris Chin of VP Record. Chin recalls that it was Cobb, who taught him how to promote in 1978, while they were at the Sheraton Hotel, in Jamaica, where Cobb was working with his Father.
Moreover , Cobb made a calculating note that Carlos Malcolm, was a great man who created and played the Afro Jamaican Rhythm and deserved recognition.
In finishing, the elegant dresser, said that if people want to hear good music, classic music and love music, he is what they want.
I must add that if you have a chance to listen to him, you will hear that he dishes it up to the ladies. We are please Tony.
Below are some highlights
