Hawai‘i has lost a giant of broadcasting and music promotion. Tom Moffatt passed away Monday night at the age of 85, after several months of declining health. Moffatt started his on-air career in Hawai‘i in the 1950’s—and continued working on the air and behind the scenes until earlier this year. HPR’s Dave Lawrence has an appreciation of the man many knew as “Uncle Tom.”
Tom Moffatt was born in Detroit, grew up in Michigan, and moved to Hawai‘i for college. That’s when he got his first job in radio—leading to a career in the entertainment business that would last for six decades. He was the first rock and roll disc jockey in Hawai‘i—one of the original “Poi Boys” at K-Poi Radio. He came to be associated with many famous names—perhaps none more so than Elvis Presley. Four years ago, he told me about when he first met Elvis.
Music producer and Maui resident Shep Gordon was a friend of Moffatt’s for decades. Together they produced a series of shows at Aloha Stadium, featuring Michael Jackson, U2, and the Rolling Stones….but that was only part of his identity. And in a business known for competition and occasional nastiness, Tom Moffatt was different.
The difference was acknowledged by the next generation of concert promoters in Hawai‘i. Flash Hanson is the marketing director of the BAMP Project.
At different points in his career, Moffatt headed two record labels, and also produced non-music shows from professional wrestling to the Shanghai Circus. He kept promoting concerts and hosting his own radio show well into his 80’s. And when he spoke with me on the air a few years back, he left with a smile….and will be missed.
