Jed the Fish, Influential Los Angeles Radio DJ, Dead at 69

Los Angeles radio legend Edwin Gould III, higher recognized by his on-air title “Jed the Fish,” has died on the age of 69.

“At 6AM on April 14, the world misplaced one in every of its most original and sensible personalities,” famous a put up on the DJ’s official Instagram account. “Jed the Fish handed away in his beloved house, and the world won’t ever be the identical.” Selection famous that the reason for demise was lung most cancers, “of which he had solely lately been recognized.”

Gould began at KROQ in 1978 when the small FM station was largely unknown and struggling to outlive. Nonetheless, over the following twenty years, KROQ emerged as a vastly influential station for brand new wave, punk and alt rock. An extended listing of now-famous artists – together with Depeche Mode, the Smiths, Duran Duran and the Pretenders – acquired their first main radio airtime on KROQ, and Jed the Fish was main the cost. An extended proponent of rising artists, the host’s “Catch of the Day” section grew to become a must-listen for any LA music fan determined to listen to the best new tunes.

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Identified for his eccentric persona, wry humorousness and irrepressible chuckle, Gould stood out among the many sea of radio voices. As KROQ emerged because the nationwide tastemaker for different radio, he grew to become one of many station’s greatest stars. Gould was named Billboard’s Fashionable Rock Persona of the 12 months in 1997 and 1999, and the Main Market Various Radio Persona of the 12 months in 1998 and 2000. He additionally graced the duvet of ska band Reel Large Fish’s 1996 album Flip the Radio Off.

Gould launched the nationally syndicated countdown present Out of Order in 1995 and stayed with it till the torch was handed to present host Ted Stryker in 2013. After many years because the KROQ afternoon drive jock, Gould departed the station in 2012.

On a private observe, this author’s profession was vastly influenced by Gould, with whom I labored for over a decade. We spent many hours debating music, from Devo to Pearl Jam, 9 Inch Nails to David Bowie, and all the pieces in between. He was a particular determine in rock historical past and his impression will not be forgotten.

Rock Stars Pay Tribute to Jed the Fish

Within the wake of Gould’s demise, KROQ invited followers and musicians alike to pay their respects on Instagram.

“RIP JED! Thanks for all the pieces,” commented Papa Roach, whereas Crimson Scorching Chili Peppers bassist Flea shared a sequence of coronary heart emojis alongside the phrases “bless his coronary heart.” Filter frontman Richard Patrick wrote: “He was superior. I’m so sorry to listen to of his passing. He might be missed,” whereas reggae rockers Pepper added, “Relaxation in paradise, brother! Your legacy might be carried in our hearts ceaselessly.”

“That is such unhappy information. We had been followers of Jed and his exhibits on KROQ lengthy earlier than we ever met him,” wrote the Offspring in a separate put up, noting Gould was the primary individual to spin their tune “Come Out and Play.” “Jed was very good and humorous with a really distinctive approach of wanting on the world. His humorousness was insane in all the perfect methods. He’s ceaselessly a neighborhood hero who might be enormously missed.”

Late evening host Jimmy Kimmel – who acquired his begin on the KROQ morning present Kevin and Bean – shared a touching tribute to Gould. “After my first time on the air – this man, who was already a legend, pulled me apart to reassure me and inform me I used to be doing nice. His world meant the world to me then they usually nonetheless do. There was nobody like him, regardless of how laborious they tried.”

Likewise, Carson Daly, who additionally began at KROQ, described Gould as “the maniacal magician of the choice airwaves.” “I keep in mind as the brand new man at KROQ I needed to work on Thanksgiving as soon as and I missed my household enormously,” Daly shared. “When hastily, the studio doorways burst open and there was Jed with a full selfmade Thanksgiving dinner. He had pushed from Pasadena and introduced me leftovers and shared that he too had labored holidays when he was beginning out in radio and remembered the way it sucked. He frolicked for an hour and it’s an hour I’ll always remember.”