Veteran Los Angeles radio host Jim Ladd died on Dec. 16 on the age of 75 after struggling a coronary heart assault.
The information was confirmed on SiriusXM by DJ Meg Griffin, who changed Ladd for what would have been his common Deep Tracks present on Monday. “I’m so sorry for the shock that simply hit you as you’re listening proper now,” Griffin mentioned on air.
She added that Ladd “by no means stopped caring. He delivered the reality. He lived for the music.”
His radio profession started at the Lengthy Seashore station KNAC in 1969 earlier than he moved to L.A.’s KLOS in 1971 after which KMET in 1974. He largely remained with “The Mighty Met” till a controversial and sudden format change in 1987.
His refusal to observe playlists made it tough for him to search out common work till he signed up as soon as once more with KLOS beneath what he referred to as his “free-form radio” method. He was heard on air from 1997 till 2011. He then moved to SiriusXM.
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Ladd turned shut buddies with Roger Waters, and the DJ impressed the previous Pink Floyd member’s second solo album, Radio Ok.A.O.S., launched in 1987. Ladd performed the fictional DJ on the album and its subsequent tour. He was additionally the inspiration for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ 2002 album The Final DJ, which featured songs crucial of radio commercialization and was boycotted by some stations.
The title observe refers to Ladd within the opening strains: “Effectively, you’ll be able to’t flip him into an organization man / You may’t flip him right into a whore / And the boys upstairs simply don’t perceive anymore.”
Ladd was additionally a author and producer and hosted the interview present Innerviews for a few years. He appeared within the 1989 rom-com Say Something and was heard in To Die For and Tequila Dawn (1989), She’s Out of Management (1989), Rush (1991) and Defender (2009). He performed a information reporter within the 1989 film Silent Evening, Lethal Evening 3: Higher Watch Out! He acquired a star on the Hollywood Stroll of Fame in 2005.
DJ Jim Ladd ‘Paved the Approach for Many to Observe,’ Says Neal Schon
“Tom revered and admired Jim Ladd and regarded him a good friend,” learn a message from Petty’s property. “His insights into rock ‘n’ roll had been priceless. Jim’s voice will probably be missed on the airwaves. Our household joins his in mourning his loss.”
Neal Schon mentioned, “God bless Jim, as he was the very best and paved the best way for a lot of to observe. My honest condolences to household and buddies. RIP, brother. I’ll at all times cherish the nice reminiscences of our friendship.”
Robby Krieger famous, “He was the very best good friend in radio the Doorways ever had. Even when individuals forgot about us within the late ‘70s, he stored enjoying our music.” Michael McKean, who’s also referred to as David St. Hubbins in Spinal Faucet, mentioned, “Sorry to listen to about Jim Ladd. My encounters with him had been at all times nice, and he performed together with the jokes like a professional.”
Peter Frampton described the presenter as “our good good friend” and a “particular man with an enormous ardour for music.” Grace Slick mentioned his “curiosity and care might be felt in every of his broadcasts.”
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Gallery Credit score: Allison Rapp
