The local entertainment industry reacted with shock and sadness to the news of the death of soca music pioneer Ellis Chow Lin On.
By Wayne BowmanChow Lin On died yesterday morning. He was rushed to the St Clair medical Complex on Wednesday evening, after he fainted while supervising a recording session at Carl "Beaver" Henderson's studio for Shurwayne Winchester, whom he managed.
Referred to as Uncle Ellis by most people within the Caribbean entertainment fraternity, Chow Lin On devoted more than 50 years of his life to the advancement of calypso and soca, as well as development of the artistes. Chow Lin On was famous for having managed the careers of David Rudder and Charlie's Roots during their rising years. Part of this was a relationship with Peter Minshall's mas of the 80s and 90s.
Along with managing Winchester, he had also recently begun managing calypsonian Crazy and was also serving as an advisor and virtual booking agent for several other artistes.
He underwent bypass surgery three years ago and would have celebrated his 71st birthday on January 27.
Following are comments of some of the people he influenced:
Anthony "Chinese Laundry" Chow Lin On:
He was Uncle Ellis to his family and Uncle Ellis to the entire music industry. The things we sort of take for granted now, Ellis stood at the centre of in the early years. Up to the night before he died he was in the studio with Carl "Beaver" Henderson doing what he loved. He believed the local music industry was important enough to dedicate his life to it.
Pelham Goddard:
"Boy, I have plenty thoughts on Ellis, but right now it just hard to get into it. I am here trying to do a session and finding it hard because I am really feeling this. Is not yesterday I know Ellis. We have been friends since 1974 and we lived like family and just as in any family we would have little differences, but we were still good. Tambu (Christopher Herbert) called me and I'm not sure if David is here, but I am sure that we will do something for him."
