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Jim Ladd
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Jim Ladd
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James William Ladd[2] (January 17, 1948 – December 17, 2023) was an American disc jockey (DJ), radio producer and writer. He was one of the last notable remaining freeform rock DJs in United States commercial radio.[3]

Key Information

Ladd first gained national prominence as host of the hour long nationally syndicated radio program Innerview, which aired weekly on over 160 stations nationwide for twelve years.[4]

Biography

[edit]

Early years and KMET

[edit]

Ladd began his career in 1969 at KNAC, a small Long Beach rock station. After two years there, he moved to Los Angeles station KLOS. In 1974 he moved to KMET, known to its legions of listeners as "The Mighty Met", where he would remain for most of the next 13 years (returning to KLOS in 1984, but going back to KMET again, 2 months before they changed format), while also hosting and producing Innerview, an hour-long nationally syndicated interview program that aired during the same period.

After what many listeners and people in the industry perceived as a long steady decline in the station's output, attributed by most accounts to the station's decision to bring in consultant Lee Abrams and the strict "album-oriented rock" formatting he favored, KMET management shocked southern California and all of radio by abruptly dumping rock music, the call letters, and the entire air staff on February 14, 1987, becoming KTWV ("The Wave"), featuring a new age format with no DJs at all.

Jumping station to station, and side projects

[edit]

In 1987, Ladd appeared on Pink Floyd bassist Roger Waters' second solo album Radio K.A.O.S., portraying a fictional disk jockey named DJ Jim who talks to the album's protagonist, a handicapped boy named Billy.[5] Ladd joined Waters on the tour that followed, and appeared in the three music videos for the album. Ladd also played an all-night DJ in Cameron Crowe's 1989 film Say Anything.... Ladd's work has also been featured in major motion pictures such as Tequila Sunrise, Rush, She's Out of Control, and Defendor starring Woody Harrelson.

For several years, Ladd worked only on-and-off on the radio because he refused to follow a playlist, as most station owners demanded. In the late 1980s, Ladd worked at KMPC-FM, where he helped to shape its "Full Spectrum Rock" blend of classic and modern rock and was enthusiastic about its rebranding as KEDG "the Edge" in March 1989. However, Ladd was laid off when the station abruptly abandoned its rock format two months later.[6]

In 1991 Ladd released a semi-autobiographical book titled Radio Waves: Life And Revolution On The FM Dial (St. Martin's Press), based on his radio career and the rise and fall of freeform rock radio in LA, from the genesis of freeform on the West Coast through the demise of KMET in 1987. The names of many people and radio stations Ladd encountered during that two-decade period were swapped for pseudonyms; however, Raechel Donahue has said that she insisted Ladd use her real name and that of her late husband Tom Donahue in the book. David Perry, Ace Young, Jack Snyder, Damion, and the late personalities B. Mitchel Reed and J. J. Jackson, were also among those identified by their actual "air names".

That same year, Ladd was hired by KLSX. In July 1995, Ladd and the entire KLSX staff were summarily fired as the station abruptly changed its format to talk radio.[7]

Free-form show on KLOS and the internet

[edit]

Ladd and his free-form rock music returned to KLOS in 1997 and aired until October 26, 2011, Monday thru Thursday from 10PM to 2AM (PDT) and on Sunday from 9PM to Midnight. His show routinely led its time slot in Arbitron ratings. KLOS renewed his contract in January 2007. In addition, he produced, wrote, and narrated a number of nationally syndicated programs, including interviews, concert specials and album premieres.

Later, Ladd used his MySpace and Facebook pages to interact with his listeners, whom he referred to as "The Tribe." He often took requests in the comments section and used the site as a source to promote free form radio. Beginning March 10, 2008, Ladd's show was streamed on KLOS's web site.

On October 26, 2011, Ladd was among various staffers fired from KLOS following the acquisition of station owner Citadel Broadcasting by Cumulus Media.[8]

On November 5, 2011, Ladd gave a three-hour farewell broadcast on AM station KFI in Los Angeles.

Sirius XM

[edit]

On December 2, 2011, Sirius XM Radio announced that Jim Ladd would host a live, daily free-form music show on Deep Tracks, channel 27 (now 308). This show ran from January 2012 to December 2023.[9]

Hollywood Walk of Fame

[edit]

On May 6, 2005, Ladd received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in recognition of the first 38 years of his groundbreaking radio career at 7018 Hollywood Boulevard. Friend Jackson Browne made a speech.[10][11][12]

Personal life and death

[edit]

Ladd was married to writer, poet and musician Helene Hodge.[13] He died of a heart attack on December 17, 2023, at the age of 75.[13][14]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jim Ladd

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Jim Ladd (January 17, 1948 – December 17, 2023) was an American and renowned for pioneering free-form FM rock radio in during the and beyond. Born in , as the eldest of three children to Obie and Betty Ladd, he began his career in 1969 at KNAC in Long Beach before moving to major stations like and KMET, where he became a top-rated air personality for eight of nine years. Ladd's signature style emphasized thematic sets, deep album cuts, and personal connections with listeners, earning him the nickname "Lonesome L.A. Cowboy" and establishing him as a countercultural icon during FM radio's golden era. In 1974, he launched the syndicated interview series Innerview, which aired on over 160 stations for 12 years and featured in-depth conversations with rock luminaries including , , , Led Zeppelin, and . His influence extended to the music industry; he contributed liner notes to ' compilation No One Here Gets Out Alive and inspired ' 1987 solo album Radio K.A.O.S., in which Ladd portrayed a fictional . Ladd's resistance to corporate consolidation in radio made him a symbol of artistic integrity, culminating in his role as the muse for ' 2002 concept album , which critiqued the format's commercialization. After KMET's closure in 1987 amid industry shifts, Ladd returned to from 1997 to 2011, continuing his free-form broadcasts until a dismissal prompted by format changes. He then joined Sirius XM in 2011, hosting the channel until his death, where he maintained his commitment to uncensored rock programming. Ladd chronicled his experiences in the 1991 memoir Radio Waves: Life and Revolution on the FM Dial, reflecting on the medium's evolution from underground rebellion to mainstream product. In 2005, he received a star on the , honoring his four-decade legacy. Ladd died of a heart attack at his home near , survived by his wife, Helene Hodge-Ladd; he once encapsulated his philosophy by stating, “To us, ain’t a show. It’s life.”

Career

Early Career at KNAC and KMET

James William Ladd was born on January 17, 1948, in . After graduating from Vacaville High School, he returned to to attend , where he developed his passion for amid the burgeoning scene of the late 1960s. Ladd launched his radio career in 1969 at KNAC, a small Long Beach FM station that had recently adopted an underground rock format, where he worked as the midnight-to-6 a.m. disc jockey while still in college. In 1971, he moved to , where he remained until 1975, before joining KMET in 1975, a Metromedia-owned station renowned for its freeform programming that emphasized deep cuts, full album sides, and DJ autonomy over rigid playlists. At KMET, Ladd cultivated a distinctive on-air style characterized by a laid-back delivery, expansive musical knowledge, and thematic sets that wove songs around concepts like rebellion or personal storytelling, often interspersed with saucy humor and outspoken political commentary. During his tenure at KMET, which lasted until 1987, Ladd became a leading voice in freeform rock radio, hosting the syndicated interview series Innerview starting in 1974, where he conversed with rock luminaries such as , , and , reaching over 160 stations nationwide. His approach helped solidify KMET as the flagship of FM rock in , profoundly influencing Southern California's rock culture by fostering a sense of intimacy and artistic depth that drew listeners into what he called "" and attracted visits from artists like and . However, on February 14, 1987, abruptly fired Ladd and the entire air staff, flipping KMET to a format under the new call letters ("The Wave"), a decision that Ladd lamented as the end of rock radio's authentic spirit, stating, "To us, ain’t a show. It’s life."

Mid-Career Transitions and Side Projects

Following the closure of KMET in February 1987, which marked the end of an era for freeform rock radio amid corporate consolidation and format shifts toward more structured programming, Ladd returned to for a second stint from 1985 to 1986 before experiencing a decade of professional instability known as "station hopping" from 1987 to 1997. He joined KLSX in in 1991, hosting a rock show until the station fired its entire staff in July 1995 to pivot to . Ladd also had short stints at KMPC-FM in 1988 and other outlets, reflecting the broader industry decline of independent FM stations as conglomerates prioritized playlists over DJ autonomy. During this period, Ladd diversified into music production and collaborations, most notably with on the 1987 concept album Radio K.A.O.S.. He voiced the fictional DJ character "DJ Ra-Dio," a renegade broadcaster central to the album's narrative about media and alienation, drawing from his own radio experiences. Ladd also contributed to the accompanying radio special "K.A.O.S. ," producing segments that tied into Waters' tour and featured his on-air introductions for songs like "Radio Waves." Ladd expanded into film and television, leveraging his distinctive voice and persona. In 1988, he appeared as himself in a cameo in the crime drama , directed by . The following year, he voiced the radio DJ in Cameron Crowe's Say Anything..., delivering lines that echoed his freeform style during a key scene with John Cusack's character. Later, in 2009, Ladd played Captain Foresight, a radio host, in the vigilante film , starring . In 1991, Ladd authored Radio Waves: Life and Revolution on the FM Dial, a published by that chronicled the rise of FM radio in the and alongside its decline due to and corporate takeovers. The drew on his frontline observations, emphasizing the rebellious spirit of stations like KMET and the loss of creative freedom, and received praise for its insider perspective on the medium's transformation. Concurrently, Ladd produced and hosted the syndicated interview series Innerview, the first hour-long national program dedicated to in-depth rock conversations, which aired weekly on over 160 stations for twelve years starting in the mid-1970s. Episodes featured extended talks with musicians like , , and , often recorded on the road, and helped sustain Ladd's influence during radio's turbulent years by reaching audiences beyond .

KLOS Freeform Show

In 1997, Jim Ladd rejoined -FM in to host a nightly freeform rock show from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., reviving the innovative style he pioneered at KMET in the through uninterrupted music sets and direct listener engagement. This format allowed Ladd to curate playlists personally, free from corporate playlists, fostering a personal connection with audiences by treating radio as a conversational medium. The show's core elements included thematic programming, where Ladd wove songs into conceptual narratives—such as explorations of rebellion, love, or cultural icons—often spanning multiple tracks without interruption to create immersive experiences like his weekly "Headsets" segment, a seamless hour-long blending , sound effects, and dialogue. He conducted in-depth artist interviews that delved into creative processes and personal stories, featuring guests like , whose 2002 album drew inspiration from Ladd's advocacy for artistic radio freedom, and , with whom he discussed Pink Floyd's legacy during a 2008 KLOS session. Throughout, Ladd vocally championed as essential to rock's spirit, criticizing rigid, playlist-driven formats for stifling creativity and community ties. In the late 2000s, the program expanded to internet streaming on the KLOS website starting March 2008, extending its reach beyond to a global audience and helping sustain the freeform approach amid evolving broadcast regulations and station shifts. This digital accessibility amplified listener interaction through online requests and feedback, preserving the show's intimate, narrative-driven essence during a period of industry corporatization. Ladd's tenure ended abruptly on October 26, 2011, when he was among 27 staffers laid off by following its acquisition of KLOS's parent company, Citadel Broadcasting, as part of broad cost-cutting measures. The dismissal sparked significant public backlash, with fans flooding his with support and musicians like publicly denouncing the move as an attack on radio imagination during a live performance shortly after. Ladd himself lambasted the incident as emblematic of corporate radio consolidation, tracing its roots to 1980s that enabled conglomerates to prioritize profits over diverse programming and local voices.

SiriusXM Deep Tracks

Following his abrupt dismissal from in late 2011, Jim Ladd joined SiriusXM Radio in December of that year to host a live, daily freeform music show on the channel (initially channel 27, later renumbered to 308). Ladd's program aired in the national primetime slot from 7 p.m. to midnight ET (4 p.m. to 9 p.m. PT), five nights a week, evolving over time to focus on Mondays by the later years, and emphasized deep cuts alongside curated freeform sets that explored thematic connections in album tracks and rare recordings. The format allowed Ladd to revive elements of his earlier Innerview series through in-depth live interviews with rock icons, including of , of Rush, , members of Led Zeppelin, the Eagles, and , while advocating for uncensored, artist-driven radio free from corporate playlists. The channel, known for its emphasis on lesser-played songs and historical context in , featured Ladd alongside fellow veteran host Dusty Street, a pioneering female DJ who also passed away in 2023. Ladd often dedicated specials to album anniversaries, such as milestone celebrations for influential releases by artists like and the Eagles, blending narration, rare demos, and live discussions to highlight the music's enduring impact. Ladd's tenure on sustained freeform radio's spirit through its national satellite reach. His final broadcast aired on December 15, 2023, just two days before his death from a heart attack on December 17. SiriusXM responded immediately with tributes, including marathon replays of his shows across Deep Tracks and related channels like Radio, along with dedicated specials such as "Lord Have Mercy, A SiriusXM Tribute to Jim Ladd" to honor his contributions.

Recognition

Hollywood Walk of Fame

On May 6, 2005, Jim Ladd received a star on the in the radio category, located at 7018 in . The 2,284th star awarded by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce recognized Ladd's pioneering work as a and his dedication to freeform rock radio over nearly four decades. The induction ceremony drew a crowd of music industry figures and celebrities, including musicians and , and actor . , a close friend and frequent collaborator with Ladd, delivered the induction speech, praising his influence on rock broadcasting and artistic integrity in programming. Ladd, in his acceptance remarks, underscored the vital role of in preserving creative expression amid commercial pressures. As one of radio personalities to earn this distinction during the era, the honor symbolized Ladd's bridge between rock artists and listeners during the of FM radio in the and . It highlighted his career-long commitment to curating uncensored, artist-driven broadcasts, setting him apart in an industry increasingly dominated by formatted playlists. , covered by major media outlets, amplified awareness of Ladd's program and reinforced his advocacy for radio's potential as a platform for musical authenticity. Ladd received additional honors for his contributions to radio, including the Air Personality of the Year award from the Los Angeles Music Awards in 2000, the Media Arts Award from the Hollywood Arts Council in 2007, and induction into the as a 2024 Legends inductee.

Legacy and Tributes

Jim Ladd's enduring legacy in radio is epitomized by his role as the muse for Tom Petty's 2002 album and title track , a scathing of corporate consolidation and format-driven that stifled . Ladd, portrayed as a symbolic holdout for authentic disc jockeying, embodied the song's themes of resistance against homogenized playlists, with Petty drawing directly from Ladd's experiences navigating industry pressures during his tenure. Throughout his career, Ladd vocally advocated against rigid format restrictions, using his platform for unscripted interviews and thematic programming that preserved the ethos of 1970s . His 1991 book Radio Waves: Life and Revolution on the FM Dial chronicled this era's rebellious spirit, offering insights into the countercultural rise of and influencing contemporary podcasters and hosts who seek to revive improvisational in music curation. Following his death on December 17, 2023, tributes poured in from the rock community, highlighting Ladd's pivotal role in amplifying artists' voices. SiriusXM's channel, where Ladd hosted for over a decade, aired special programming in his honor during December 2023, featuring extended sets of his signature freeform selections. issued a statement praising him as "the influential rock DJ who helped preserve and promote ' legacy through decades of freeform radio." expressed heartbreak, noting that "Jim's curiosity and care could be felt in every song he played and every interview he conducted." , who collaborated with Ladd on his 1987 Radio K.A.O.S.—where Ladd voiced the protagonist DJ—called him "a revolutionary" and "a brother," sharing a personal video tribute emphasizing Ladd's commitment to truth and in broadcasting. In January 2024, the published reader-submitted memories, capturing Ladd's profound connection with listeners who credited his shows with shaping their musical identities during formative years. As one of the last prominent freeform DJs on commercial radio, Ladd's contributions have been documented in biographical works and media retrospectives, underscoring his fight to maintain radio's role as a conduit for artistic expression amid digital shifts. While no major tributes emerged in 2025, continues to dedicate airtime to his archival broadcasts, ensuring his influence on rock radio persists.

Personal Life and Death

Family

Jim Ladd was married to Helene Hodge-Ladd, a , , , and voice-over artist. The couple met in 1981 and wed on several years later to celebrate their enduring relationship. Helene Hodge-Ladd assisted Ladd with aspects of his radio show during his tenure at SiriusXM. The couple had no children together and kept their life largely private, with few public details emerging beyond their partnership. Obituaries and tributes following Ladd's death consistently noted only his as surviving family. In the wake of Ladd's death, Helene Hodge-Ladd shared a personal reflection on their bond, stating: "Jim and I met 43 years ago. Years later we got married July 4th to celebrate our Love. Jim is my & my hero."

Death

Jim Ladd died on December 17, 2023, at the age of 75, from a sudden heart attack at his home near . His wife, Helene Hodge-Ladd, was by his side at the time of his passing, which his family described as peaceful. The news was announced on December 18, 2023, by Ladd's family and SiriusXM, the network where he had hosted his long-running freeform rock show on the channel. Fellow DJ , who filled in for Ladd's program, shared the announcement on air, noting that he had passed away the previous day following recent broadcasts. In the immediate aftermath, SiriusXM suspended Ladd's regular show and aired special tributes to his career across (channel 308) and other channels, featuring reflections from colleagues and archived interviews. No details about a or service were publicized by the family or SiriusXM.

References

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