It was well over 15 years ago that we were invited to the home of East Coast Radio jock Dave Guselli who, at the height of his career, engaged his listeners with passion and charm.
From his days at Capital 604 to East Coast Radio to his time on Magic 828, Dave has always turned listeners into friends. This month, as he warms the seat of his cosy spot on East Coast Gold and prepares to keep music lovers company – playing classic hits from the 60s, 70s and 80s – the much-loved legend in the South African radio landscape celebrates a 40-year career in radio.
Dressed casually in shorts, a red T-shirt and his most comfy sandals, we find Dave in a quiet nook at his favourite local caffeine station – Mugg & Bean at Westville Mall. It’s here he generally enjoys time out and a bite to eat while catching up on the news and keeping abreast of current affairs and events … topics that make for good content for upcoming shows.
‘Radio is all about connection, and that’s what people seem to have forgotten. My motto for radio is “it’s just radio and nobody died”. You’ve got to put the fun back into it.’
Born and raised in Old Trafford in Manchester, avid soccer fan Dave is a proud dad to son Danny, who’s not only also made a name for himself in the entertainment industry but is also a presenter at the very same radio station. The two share many special memories – both on and off-air.
‘Someone once asked me who my favourite real-life hero was, and the words left my lips without hesitation – my son. I love that kid. Danny has been instrumental in helping me set up a home-based studio since my recent move back to Durban from Cape Town, and while we live pretty close by to one another, we don’t spend as much time together as I’d like. I suppose that’s just part of life and having kids and accepting the changes as they grow up.’
Reflecting on his first day at independent radio station Capital Radio 604, which was run out of a rambling old double story house in Port St Johns, Dave laughs out loud. It was September 1981, and he was a blue eyed lad fresh out of Manchester, where he worked at Piccadilly Radio. ‘What a disaster! I was so psyched and mentally prepared for my first day on the graveyard shift – 1am to 5am – and can you believe it… my wife got food poisoning the night before. She was so sick that we had to get a doctor out, and he was rather drunk, which didn’t help. The only other option was making an almost two hour trek on the dirt road, in the pouring rain, to the nearest hospital in Mthatha, which was not possible. Fortunately, the former programme head of the radio station Stuart Lee had my back and took care of that first show for me so that I could take care of Cindy.’
Stuart was later to become Dave’s biggest mentor, and the man who taught him everything there was to know about being on radio.
‘I’ll never forget that day. Stuart also managed to start the show off with the song, Lady (You Bring Me Up) by Commodores, which is about a man whose woman gets him through life’s difficult times. We all had a good laugh and that song has always been in my memory bank.’
Durbanites might remember Dave better for the 22 years he spent with East Coast Radio (then Radio Port Natal) – seven of them being in the afternoon drive time slot. He has always had considerable crossover appeal and, over the years, built a large and loyal following.
‘The short and sweet of 40 years of radio is this. Getting onto radio is easy; staying on is hard. You have to be creative and move with the times. I started with vinyl and today the songs I play are all in an IT cloud. It’s crazy! Dealing with big changes has not been easy, but I have a hunger and a passion for what I do. My show is very light-hearted and steeped in nostalgia… there’s very little of me, and a whole lot of good music.’
Getting onto radio is easy. Staying on is hard.
With this in mind, one would naturally assume Dave has a treasure trove of every kind of music album under the sun, but while he’s enjoyed keeping up with the times, his home collection is limited to a few of the greats.
‘I’m a big fan of music from the 70s and I love rhythm and blues. I could listen for hours to the likes of Luther Vandross, British soul group The Real Thing, or Earth, Wind and Fire – the American band that has spanned all musical genres. A song that speaks to me is Bridge over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel, and my favourite song of all time is Let’s Stay Together by American singer Al Green and I’m not going to tell you why. Everyone knows I’m a storyteller, but there are some things I’ll take with me to my grave.’
Speaking of stories, some of Dave’s greatest radio experiences make for really good ones. Being a warm-hearted, caring individual who loves to give back to the community, some of his biggest inspirations have been Stage 4 cancer fighter and friend Byron McDonald, and a young girl he helped raise R300 000 for so that she could be flown to the United States to remove a malignant brain tumour. The operation was a success and they are still in contact today.
‘I think of the privilege of my career that afforded me the opportunity to rub shoulders with major celebs like Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Elton John, Chris de Burgh, Lionel Richie and Stevie Wonder, with highlights being Celine Dion and Nelson Mandela – if ever there was a day my knees were weak and I was filled with humility!’
When the work day is done, Dave enjoys unwinding with a decent glass of red wine.
‘I’m a huge dog lover, a Manchester United fan (Dave also referees for two local youth soccer teams) and I’m a man of healthy eating habits. Eat very little meat, I love salads, but I could never go vegan because I love real milk in my coffee and every now and then, because of my heritage, I love a good bolognaise. I make a mean one loaded with red and yellow peppers, mushrooms, mince, fresh chopped tomatoes, simmered for at least an hour and a quarter and served with wholewheat spaghetti…it’s about the only thing I can cook!’
For the rest, Dave puts his full mop of dark hair down to roots… those strong Italian genes… and listening to his body.
‘A good cup of coffee to start the day, lots of water, moisturise with an SPF and long beach walks are my thing. Having recently recovered from Covid, I honestly believe that a positive attitude, a balanced diet and stretching those legs outside to get a decent dose of Vitamin D does you the world of good.’
With Heritage Day around the corner, Dave admits he’s by no means a Jan Braai.
‘I’ve got more chance of burning something in the microwave than burning it on the braai since I usually surround myself with good people who can braai better than me. But Heritage Day isn’t all about that anyway, it’s about celebrating who we are as a nation. It’s hard for me not being a true South African, but I look back to where I come from and where I am today, and I feel proud. I think I’ve earned the right to feel like I belong.’
Catch Dave on East Coast Gold every weekday from 5 to 9pm and Saturdays from 2 to 6pm.
