Sponsored message
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

Arts & Entertainment

Ousted KLOS DJ Jim Ladd, Denied Farewell Show, Will Say Goodbye on KFI

record-player-needle-close.jpg
Photo by hurricane via Shutterstock

Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your tax-deductible donation now.

When news of veteran radio personality Jim Ladd losing his gig at KLOS broke, foremost from Ladd himself was that he didn't get to say goodbye. "My disappointment is I didn't have a farewell show," he told the OC Register.Ladd, among over a dozen people terminated at KLOS/95.5 FM and KABC/790 AM on October 25, was known as the "the last free-form rock DJ in America," and had been at L.A.'s venerable hard rock station for 14 years, after having worked there twice previously, as well. Ladd was one of the only commercial radio DJs who selected his own playlist, and often took requests from his loyal listeners.

Denied a "farewell" broadcast, there is some upbeat news for Ladd fans today: He will grace the airwaves Saturday from 4-7 p.m. on KFI, having been offered by the station manager to do the "goodbye" show he was not able to do at KLOS.

Trivia: Ladd was the inspiration for the 2002 album and title track The Last DJ by Tom Petty.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.

Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.

If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.

Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today

A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right