Jamaica loses Wilmot Perkins

Tributes have been pouring in for late talk-show host Wilmot ‘Motty’ Perkins. Perkins died at his Stony Hill home in St Andrew this morning after a brief illness. The giant of talk radio, Perkins was among Jamaica’s longest serving journalists. Born in Portland on September 3, 1931 he attended Calabar High School in St Andrew. He started his journalism career as a reporter at The Gleaner in the 1950s before going into radio in 1960 hosting his very first programme What’s Your Grouse on RJR. ‘Motty’ soon took leave from radio to practice farming but only for a short while, as he returned in the 1970s. ‘Motty’ would hop across radio stations moving to the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation with Public Eye, Hotline on RJR, Straight Talk on KLAS FM 89 and later Perkins on Line on Hot 102FM. In 2002, ‘Motty’ Perkins brought his programme to Power 106 FM . He changed radio stations for one reason or another, but for the ‘godfather’ of talk radio, his strident defence of the rights of ordinary Jamaicans never changed. ‘Motty’ was loved by those whom he defended and criticised by those whom he chastised. On May 14, 1994 The Gleaner reported that the Police Intelligence Unit had traced a plot to murder him to a gang operating out of East Kingston. The police high command had to put in place a team of policemen to escort ‘Motty’ to and from work at KLAS in Mandeville. But that never stopped him from rejecting over and over again, the things that he found unacceptable, and, he was fearless in his criticisms against anyone… be it rogue cops, businessmen or politicians. Wilmot Perkins was controversial but appeared caring and would emphasise the need for renewed thinking in order to encourage productivity in Jamaica. Besides his criticisms, ‘Motty’ Perkins was witty, setting off happy faces with his laughter. Perkins is survived by Elaine, his wife of 56 years, and grandsons Jamie and Eden.