Heart Attack Killed the Video Jockey Star

MTV's JJ Jackson and Martha Quinn in the 1980s

Here's an item that will make us all feel old: Sad to report, via LARadio.com, that one of the original MTV VJs, J.J. Jackson, died last night of a heart attack.

Reports LARadio.com's Don Barrett: JJ worked afternoon drive when he arrived at KLOS from WBCN-Boston in 1969. He spent a decade there. Later in the 1980s, JJ worked at KDAY, KWST, KROQ and KMPC/fm, which later became KEDG ("The Edge"). In late 1994, JJ began hosting "The Beatle Years," a syndicated series airing on 200 stations nationwide. He spent many years at Westwood One. He returned to KLOS in 2000 to host "The Seventh Day." Most recently, JJ worked afternoon drive at KTWV, "The WAVE."

Like many of you, I grew up with fond memories of the original 1980s VJs: Jackson, Martha Quinn, Nina Blackwood, Alan Hunter and Mark Goodman. I still vividly remember watching all of them covering what was one of the channel's finest early moments, 1985's Live Aid.

J.J. always seemed so cool -- and he knew almost everything you needed to know about music (something sorely lacking in today's MTV VJs). Sorry to see him go.

UPDATE: LARadio.com has compiled a list of remembrances from local radio personalities here.