Jim Ladd Biography

Fast Facts

• Started out as a DJ on KNAC-FM in Long Beach, California in 1969
• Quote: "(On the pre-approved playlists that dominate radio): "Radio should be ashamed that TV is now hipper [to new music] than rock radio is․""
• Quote: "(On why he won't give up freeform radio): "I feel like I owe it to someone․ I owe it to Tom and Rachael Donahue․․․to Roger Waters․․․to the Doors․․․to John Lennon․․․Mostly I owe it to my audience․ It doesn't make sense for me to do it any other way․""
• Best known as a DJ and radio producer who is one of the last freeform rock DJs in U․S․ commercial radio
• Spent 20 years on the air at KLOS-FM and also worked as KMET-FM and KEDG-FM
• Is the author of the book "Radio Waves: Life and Revolution on the FM Dial․"
• Was the inspiration for Tom Petty's 2002 concept album "The Last DJ․"