SiriusXM has announced that Deep Tracks and longtime Los Angeles personality Jim Ladd died on Sunday, December 17 at the age of 75 from a heart attack.
The supposed inspiration for the Tom Petty song “The Last DJ“, Ladd had been with SiriusXM since 2012 as one of the few freeform Rock DJ’s still going in radio. Ladd was also the DJ character on Roger Waters’ 1987 concept album “Radio KAOS” and accompanied Waters on tour.
Ladd began his radio career in 1969 at 105.5 KNAC Long Beach CA before first joining 95.5 KLOS Los Angeles in 1971. He would then go to 94.7 KMET from 1974 until 1984 (before returning in December 1986 just ahead of the station’s February flip to what became Smooth Jazz). He then spent time at AAA 101.9 KMPC-FM and Classic Rock 97.1 KLSX before returning to KLOS from 1997 until 2011. Ladd would then join Sirius XM’s Deep Tracks channel for a daily show at the start of 2012. Ladd also hosted a syndicated show “Innerview” and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2005.
SiriusXM remembers Jim Ladd, legendary freeform rock DJ. For over 50 years, he championed classic rock and interviewed many of the greatest artists in his Los Angeles studios and on SiriusXM’s Deep Tracks channel. Read more: https://t.co/39lvDFxABP
— SiriusXM (@SIRIUSXM) December 18, 2023
The best at what he did. I spent a very memorable night with him at his KMET studio, writing a profile for my high school newspaper. The only illumination in the entire room was the butt of his joint.
Jim Ladd, Legendary Radio DJ, SiriusXM ‘Deep Tracks’ Host and Inspiration…— Sam Rubin (@SamOnTV) December 18, 2023
‘The Last DJ’ has crossed the tracks. There wasn’t a more soulful spinner of music. The songs he played were running through his blood, he cared so much for rock n’ roll. Irreplaceable… a very sad day, which can only be handled by carrying his spirit forward.#JimLadd pic.twitter.com/bPQv6oCS6m
— John Densmore (@JohnDensmore) December 18, 2023
Jim Ladd
1948 – 2023Please join us in sending our love to the friends and family of iconic radio personality Jim Ladd, who passed away of a sudden heart attack peacefully at home with his wife Helene by his side.
Jim’s contributions to radio and rock & roll cannot be… pic.twitter.com/jeyYkUiW6N
— John Lee Hooker (@johnLeeHooker) December 18, 2023