MTV VJ on ‘120 Minutes,’ KROQ DJ Dies at 58 – Billboard

Lewis Largent, the influential various rock radio DJ and MTV VJ that hosted 120 Minutes, died on Feb. 20, a consultant confirmed to Billboard.

He handed away after an extended sickness, Variety first reported.

Largent grew up in Southern California and launched his profession in music at L.A.’s KROQ, with an internship that changed into a full-time position in 1985. Four years later, he was named musical director at the choice radio station.

In 1992, Largent shifted over to MTV, the place he landed as a vp of music programming and have become the host of 120 Minutes, bringing artists together with David Bowie, Bjork, Trent Reznor, Radiohead and PJ Harvey to tv screens all over the place on Sunday nights. He was the face of the present by 1995, although he stayed with the corporate in his programming position till 1999.

His position as host was subsequent appointed to Matt Pinfield, who upon listening to of Largent’s loss of life tweeted Friday, “I am completely gutted. I loved Lewis very much. I am at a loss for words.”

Following his years with MTV, Largent went to Island Def Jam Records, the place as svp of A&R he signed artists comparable to Sum 41 and Andrew WK. He left IDJ in 2004.

Later in life, he went again to varsity to review inventive writing, incomes a bachelor’s diploma from Sarah Lawrence College and his Master of Fine Arts in 2015.

Largent is survived by spouse Julie (*58*), Atlantic Music Group chairman and CEO, and their two kids.