Artists Pay Tribute To "The Last DJ" Jim Ladd

Jim Ladd with Roger Waters

Roger Waters and Peter Frampton have paid tribute to broadcaster Jim Ladd, whose death from a heart attack at the age of 75 was announced on Monday by Meg Griffin, an on-air colleague at Sirius XM.

“He never stopped caring,” Griffin told listeners. “He delivered the truth. He lived for the music, and I am blessed to have worked with him."

Loudersound.com reports Ladd, one of the last remaining music DJs on mainstream US radio with the freedom to choose their own playlist, was the inspiration for the title track of Tom Petty's 2002 The Last DJ album, and the voice of the fictional disc jockey DJ Jim on Roger Waters' 1987 album Radio K.A.O.S.

Waters has paid tribute to Ladd, but also used the opportunity to take potshots at his bosses at SiriusXM, who last month reduced Ladd's schedule on the Deep Tracks channel – one that plays less frequently heard album tracks from classic bands – from a daily broadcast to a single weekly show. 

Jim Ladd

"I loved Jim and he loved me. I got him the job at Sirius when the meat grinder that is modern LA finally closed its door on his legendary career at KMET and KLOS. Jim was a revolutionary. Jim Ladd believed in the power of love. Jim Ladd believed in telling the truth, Jim Ladd believed in human rights, Jim Ladd believed in Freeform Radio." 

Waters goes on to say that he and Ladd had been in discussion about setting up a new radio station in 2024, Radio KAOS FM.

Peter Frampton has also paid tribute to Ladd, saying, "Our entire family are so saddened to hear of the passing of Jim Ladd. He was our good friend, always a champion of great music. A special man with a huge passion for music. Our thoughts are with his wife, Helene and family. Love you Jim."

A post on the official Facebook page of the late Tom Petty read, "Tom respected and admired Jim Ladd and considered him a friend. He inspired the song The Last DJ and his insights into rock and roll were priceless. Jim’s voice will be missed on the airwaves. Our family joins his in mourning his loss."

Ladd first came to national attention hosting the nationally syndicated show Innerview at KMET in Los Angeles. The show aired weekly on more than 160 stations from the 70s to the late 90s, with Ladd interviewing the likes of Led Zeppelin, John Lennon, Aerosmith and Rush. He interviewed Rogers Waters about Pink Floyd's The Wall album in February 1980.