Jim Ladd, DJ Who Inspired a Tom Petty Song, Dies at 75

Jim Ladd, a veteran radio DJ, died Sunday, SiriusXM confirmed Monday. He was 75 years old.

Ladd, who was the inspiration for Tom Petty’s 2002 song “The last DJ,” died at his home in Los Angeles of a heart attack, fellow SiriusXM DJ Meg Griffin announced Ladd’s death at the request of Ladd’s wife, Deadline reports.

“I’m so sorry for the shock that just hit you while you’re listening,” Griffin, who was a guest on SiriusXM’s “Deep Tracks” with Ladd on Monday, told listeners. “He never stopped caring. He delivered the truth. He lived for music.”

Jim Ladd circa 1970.

Michael Ochs/Getty Archive

Ladd was born on January 17, 1948 in Lynnwood, California. He began his radio career in 1969, working on the KNAC radio show in LA, then moved to 95.5 KLOS. Eventually, Ladd moved to another LA station, KMET-FM, where he helped the station become LA’s top rated station. He remained at KMET until 1987.

While working at KMET, he created, produced and hosted a radio program Innerview, in which he conducted interviews with renowned musicians. The program was then broadcast every week on over 160 stations and ended after 12 years of showing.

Jim Ladd on December 14, 2014 in Agoura Hills, California.

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Ladd returned to KLOS in 1997 for another 14 years. He left to host SiriusXM’s “Deep Tracks” in 2012. The channel contains songs from lesser-known musical groups.

During his career, Ladd also made cameo roles in several films, including Tequila Sunrise and Say anything. He wrote a book in 1991. Radio waves: life and revolution on the FM dialwhich was inspired by his radio career.

A decade later, Ladd served as the inspiration for Tom Petty’s “The Last DJ,” the title track of his 2002 album with The Heartbreakers. The “Free Fallin'” singer told reporter Jim DeRogatis that the song is about “a DJ who becomes so frustrated with his inability to play what he wants that he moves to Mexico and gets his freedom back,” reports Board.

In 2005, Ladd received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame honoring his influence in the music industry and radio medium.

Tribute to celebrities who died in 2023

Jim Ladd receives his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California.

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Several musicians paid tribute to Ladd.

“The Doors family is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of beloved rock DJ, Jim Ladd, who died of a sudden heart attack peacefully at home with his wife Helene by his side. Jim, with his electric personality and cool voice, was an essential part of rock & roll culture,” reads a statement from The Doors. x (formerly known as Twitter) site.

Rock legend Tom Petty has died at the age of 66 after a serious cardiac arrest

“Rest in peace, Jim Ladd, the last DJ. Condolences to Helena, all of Jim’s family and his many fans. It was always a pleasure,” wrote Stephen Sills xwith a video of him playing for Ladd.

Grace Slick remembered DJ in the second X tribute, writing: “We are heartbroken to hear that Jim Ladd has passed away from a sudden heart attack peacefully at home with his wife Helene by his side. Jim’s curiosity and care could be felt in every broadcast he made.”

Ladd is survived by his wife, Helene Hodge-Ladd.

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