In the heart of Los Angeles' music scene, a legendary radio figure bid farewell this week. Jim Ladd, the iconic disc jockey and champion of classic rock, passed away at the age of 75, leaving a void in the rock scene he helped shape for over five decades.
Ladd's journey through the airwaves began in 1967 at KNAC during the peak of free-form FM radio. In those days, DJs like Ladd spun entire album sides, without interruption. His career path traveled through KLOS, KMET, and finally SiriusXM, where he continued his passion for free-form expression until his last breath.
Ladd's unique legacy was his ability to connect with the rock titans of his era. From intimate conversations with John Lennon to probing discussions with the likes of Pink Floyd, U2, Joni Mitchell, Eagles, and Led Zeppelin, Ladd's "InnerView" became a sanctuary for music lovers hungry for more than just songs - they craved the stories behind the chords.
The inspiration for Tom Petty's ode, "The Last DJ," Ladd embodied a rare breed in the radio world, keeping the spirit of free-form rock alive. His nationally syndicated shows, including "Headsets," were woven with thematic sets of songs, each punctuated by his iconic exclamation, "Lord have mercy!"
Ladd's memoir, "Radio Waves: Life and Revolution on the FM Dial," revealed the behind-the-scenes drama of a Los Angeles rock DJ navigating the tumultuous waves of corporate takeovers. In 2005, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a testament to his lasting mark on the city's iconic music scene.
As we bid farewell to this radio revolutionary, Jim Ladd's legacy resonates not just in the tunes he played but in the stories he shared, the revolutions he witnessed, and the untamed spirit of a DJ who dared to be different. Jim Ladd's influence on rock radio will be remembered for years to come.
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