Jim Ladd, LA Radio Legend Linked to Tom Petty’s ‘The Last DJ,’ Dies at 75

Jim Ladd, a well known free-form radio DJ that is commonly thought about the motivation for Tom Petty’s 2002 cd and solitary “The Last DJ,” passed away Dec. 17 of a cardiac arrest. He was 75.

Given That 2012 Ladd has actually held a real-time, day-to-day free-form program on Sirius XMU’s “Deep Tracks” network; his close friend, fellow Sirius DJ Meg Lion, introduced his fatality on Monday while guest-hosting Ladd’s program.

Prior to his period at Sirius XMU, Ladd invested years as one of one of the most acquainted voices of rock radio in Los Angeles. Birthed Jan. 17, 1948 in Lynnwood, The golden state, Ladd obtained his begin in radion in 1969 on Lengthy Coastline radio terminal KNAC, relocating to KLOS in Los Angeles 2 years later on. In 1974 he relocated once more to LA’s KMET, where he continued to be till 1987.

Throughout those years he additionally introduced his well-known syndicated radio program “Innerview.” He was given up in addition to all various other personnel when KMET transformed styles in 1987.

Yet already he would certainly attained high reknown, and over the following years would certainly have an uncommon job run structure off that reknown. He showed up on “Radio K.A.O.S.,” the 2nd solo cd by Roger Seas of Pink Floyd, and came with the trip. He made cameos in movies such as “Tequila Sunrise” (1988) and “Say Anything” (1989 ).” And he released a market tell-all, “Radio Waves: Life And Revolution On The FM Dial” in 1991.

Ladd once more benefited KLOS beginning in 1997, staying there till he was given up in 2011.

Ladd, that got a celebrity on the Hollywood Stroll of Popularity in 2005, was additionally commonly thought to be the motivation for Tom Petty’s “The Last DJ,” a tune concerning a rock DJ significantly aggravated by the restraints of corporate-dominated radio, and no more being enabled to play what he desires.

For his component, Minor constantly refuted that the track had to do with any kind of living individual– maybe partly as a result of a 2004 legal action submitted versus Petty and Ladd by a songwriter that declared “The Last DJ” was based upon track the songwriter offered to Ladd in 2000.

Ladd is made it through by his partner, poet and author Helene Hodge-Ladd.

“SiriusXM remembers Jim Ladd, legendary freeform rock DJ. For over 50 years, he championed classic rock and interviewed many of the greatest artists,” the business claimed Monday.

The KLOS household and the radio cosmos shed a legend today,” the terminal claimed. “We are so heartbroken to hear that groundbreaking DJ Jim Ladd passed away yesterday. KLOS sends our love to Jim’s family and friends.”