Legendary LA radio personality Jim Ladd dies at 75
Iconic radio personality Jim Ladd has died at 75. Ladd was the inspiration for Tom Petty's record, "The Last DJ."
Jim Ladd was one of the many voices I grew up with in LA, literally part of the soundtrack to my life. Jim was all about what radio, at its highest art form, should be, and making great compelling radio for listeners that don't just hear the music, but think about it and apply it to their lives. Jim worked at nearly every major rock station in town over the years, but of course is most closely known for bouncing back and forth between KMET and KLOS during the AOR classic rock golden era, and then later working at KLSX and KMPC-FM/KEDG. He loved working at the last, that station most closely resembling how he would structure a rock station himself. His good friend J.J. Jackson was the actual PD.
Over the years this poster has given it to Jim on this board In a good-natured ribbing sort of way, for some of his outlandish political views, overall pomposity, and refusing to let any hour go by without playing a Doors record, but this was all nit-picking. Jim was one of the best DJs to grace the local and national airwaves. Agree with him or not, he was always compelling listening, which is what radio should be. I may have more to say later, but for now, RIP Jim and big Whoo-ya to ya!
