Appreciation - Manwel Borg

Eric Montfort, writes:

Manwel Borg left a very important legacy to Maltese broadcasting, namely a string of interviews with some of Italy's finest pop talents. It was an unprecedented achievement which has yet to be emulated.

Manwel, who passed away lately after a short illness aged 57, epitomised the professional attitude in sound recording, for he was first and foremost a studio operator at Radio Malta, having joined its predecessor, Rediffusion when he was just 16.

However, there was always an artistic side to Manwel. One Twanny Scerri can attest to that. Soon they formed an equipe hosting the Saturday afternoon shows, playing Italian pop music. Manwel also took the opportunity to include the interviews he had done in these shows, and public reaction was positive.

I still recall two instances of such commitment. During Festival Bar A Malta, which took place in July 1984 at the Independence Arena, Manwel, Twanny and I took the opportunity to interview nearly all the participants, including Gianna Nannini and Raf, who were then just emerging talents.

The second case concerns my direct contact with Manwel, which also took place in late 1984. I had to take over Twanny Scerri's place as presenter for those Saturday shows, since he was out due to injury. It was not an easy task hosting Italian music, but the substitution worked well.

The equipe became a trio with Twanny also helping behind the scenes, and at a time when there was only one radio station. I still have vivid memories of the 1,800 letters and cards that we received in Christmas.

Manwel also presented his own programmes. Besides those classic interviews with the likes of Tony Dallara, Bobby Solo, Eros Ramazzotti, Zucchero, and Giorgia, among countless others, he had direct contacts either through live transmissions or from the PBS studios whenever San Remo Festival was held. Such was his passion for Italian music - and this from someone, who unlike his colleague, did not support Italian football. Manwel, in fact, was an avid Liverpool fan! He also followed British and American pop closely.

When he started hosting his own programmes called Tema some 10 years ago, he made it a point to include several Italian cover-versions of 1960s pop classics from Blackberry Way to California Dreaming to Hot Love and I Can't Let Maggie Go. These were all featured in his show which ran right until he passed away.

On Sunday, August 3, just a day before he died, I tuned in to his show. It was cute of Manwel to spin Bobby Solo's Siesta on the show, which on that particular day treated summer songs. That 40-year-old song closes with a Donald Duck soliloquy, and indeed it also says something about Manwel's great, impish sense of humour. Twanny will probably recall the person who put the plate in his locker when Inter lost 0-2 against Aston Villa in the 1990 UEFA Cup, with David Platt scoring both goals!

Manwel was also involved in the Malta Music Awards. Collaborating with organiser Noel Magri, he brought more appreciation for our local talent, besides helping to showcase more foreign acts, like Antonello Venditti and Paul Young among others.

Manwel should also be remembered for his strong moral values. Despite his hectic job, he was a dedicated family man and his family shall continue to cherish his memories for a very long time.

An aspiring broadcaster can see a very good example of the verve and commitment required in the life and career of Manwel Borg.