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

Ladd was the inspiration for Petty's 2002 song 'The Last DJ'

Jim Ladd, the veteran radio DJ, died on Sunday, SiriusXM confirmed on Monday. He was 75.

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

“I am so sorry for the shock that just hit you as you are listening right now,” Griffin, who guest hosted SiriusXM's "Deep Tracks" in Ladd's place Monday, told listeners. “He never stopped caring. He delivered the truth. He lived for the music.”

Ladd was born on Jan. 17, 1948, in Lynnwood, California. He began his radio career in 1969, working on the L.A.-based radio show KNAC and then headed over to 95.5 KLOS. Eventually, Ladd moved to another L.A. show, KMET-FM, where he assisted the station’s rise as a top-rated L.A. station. He remained at KMET until 1987.

During his time at KMET, he created, produced, and hosted the radio program Innerview, in which he conducted interviews with acclaimed musicians. The program then aired every week on over 160 stations and concluded after a 12-year run.

Ladd returned to KLOS in 1997 for another 14 years. He left to host his SiriusXM's “Deep Tracks" in 2012. The channel features tracks from lesser-known music groups.

Throughout his career, Ladd also made cameos in a few movies, including Tequila Sunrise and Say Anything. He wrote a book in 1991, Radio Waves: Life And Revolution On The FM Dial, which was inspired by his radio career up.

A decade later, Ladd served as inspiration for Tom Petty’s track “The Last DJ,” the title track to his 2002 album with The Heartbreakers. The “Free Fallin’” singer told journalist Jim DeRogatis that the song was 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 Billboard.

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

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Several musicians shared tributes 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 at his side. Jim, with his electric persona and cool voice, was an essential part of the culture of rock & roll,” read a statement on The Doors' X (formerly known as Twitter) page.

Related: Rock Legend Tom Petty Dead at 66 After Massive Cardiac Arrest

“Rest in peace, Jim Ladd, The Last DJ. Condolences to Helene, and all of Jim's family and his many fans. It was always a pleasure," Stephen Sills wrote on X, alongside a video of him playing for Ladd.

Grace Slick remembered the DJ in another X tribute, writing, “We are heartbroken with the news that Jim Ladd passed away of a sudden heart attack peacefully at home with his wife Helene by his side. Jim’s curiosity and care could be felt in each of his broadcasts.”

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

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