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
Harry B Fine 
Mark Rebelowski 
Marcie Binns 
TomM 
DANIEL WILKINS 
Larry Martinson
Late to the Jim Ladd experience…. have only been listening for a couple years now. It was clear why he was so loved and admired. RIP. — play some songs on the other side.
I was a teenager in the late 70’s when I arrived in Los Angeles.. I was turned on almost immediately to his spectacular skills.. must flowed like I never heard before.. he was magical.. Years and many moves around the country later I heard he had a show on Sirius XM and immediately signed up .. listening to his daily show while I traversed the country in a semi .
I was honored to have my requests played on multiple occasions.. and one set he liked so much he played it on his own without my call.. I feel privileged to have talked with him 2 weeks ago as he played what turned out to be my final request..
Willin by Little Feat.. Helene also asked for him to play Bonnie Raitts version also… what an honor.. my condolences to all of his faithful fans and tribe, his compatriots in radio, and of course his love of his life..Helene.. lord have mercy.. RIP Jim ????????
Listened to Jim Ladd since the beginning and more recently on Sirius. So sad to hear of his passing. My deepest condolences.
Wow Dusty Street and now Jim Ladd. Listened to both on Deep Tracks and Dusty when I lived in San Francisco many years ago. Will miss them both.
Once you turn a record then you have helped a universe then some healing a great practice for those that are not to well but most music you hear are from the forgotten DJ’s Jim Ladd at wounded knee
God is a Dj he spins Galaxies just that the black hole is for the record player Jim Ladd was multi facet on so many of us. Keep spinning Jim Ladd keep the music coming when you get there will be listening ????
I started listening to Jim Ladd in 1974 and have continued to listen to him. He was an original artist weaving stories and themes in the music he would choose to play. He used no play list or a consultant idea of what a rock station should sound like.. He was a one of a kind. He will be missed and I will miss him. Jim closed his show by saying “Thanks for listening and being my friend “, and I will close by saying Thanks for the great music and for being my friend. RIP Jim