\n<\/p>\n
Los Angeles radio legend Edwin Gould III, better known by his on-air name “Jed the Fish,” has died at the age of 69.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt 6AM on April 14, the world lost one of its most unique and brilliant personalities,\u201d noted a post on the DJ\u2019s official Instagram<\/a> account. \u201cJed the Fish passed away in his beloved home, and the world will never be the same.\u201d Variety<\/em><\/a> noted that the cause of death was lung cancer, \u201cof which he had only recently been diagnosed.\u201d<\/p>\n Gould started at KROQ in 1978 when the small FM station was largely unknown and struggling to survive. However, over the next two decades, KROQ emerged as a hugely influential station for new wave, punk and alt rock. A long list of now-famous artists \u2013 including Depeche Mode<\/a>, the Smiths<\/a>, Duran Duran<\/a> and the Pretenders<\/a> \u2013 got their first major radio airtime on KROQ, and Jed the Fish was leading the charge. A long proponent of rising artists, the host\u2019s \u201cCatch of the Day\u201d segment became a must-listen for any LA music fan desperate to hear the coolest new tunes.<\/p>\n READ MORE: <\/strong>20 Greatest New Wave Bands<\/a><\/p>\n Known for his eccentric personality, wry sense of humor and irrepressible laugh, Gould stood out among the sea of radio voices. As KROQ emerged as the national tastemaker for alternative radio, he became one of the station\u2019s biggest stars. Gould was named Billboard\u2019s Modern Rock Personality of the Year in 1997 and 1999, and the Major Market Alternative Radio Personality of the year in 1998 and 2000. He also graced the cover of ska band Reel Big Fish\u2019s 1996 album Turn the Radio Off<\/em>.<\/p>\n Gould launched the nationally syndicated countdown show Out of Order<\/em> in 1995 and stayed with it until the torch was passed to current host Ted Stryker in 2013. After decades as the KROQ afternoon drive jock, Gould departed the station in 2012.<\/p>\n On a personal note, this writer’s career was hugely influenced by Gould, with whom I worked for over a decade. We spent\u00a0many hours debating\u00a0music, from Devo<\/a> to Pearl Jam<\/a>, Nine Inch Nails<\/a> to David Bowie<\/a>, and everything in between. He was a distinctive figure in rock history and his impact won’t be forgotten.<\/p>\n In the wake of Gould\u2019s death,\u00a0KROQ\u00a0invited fans and musicians alike to pay their respects on Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cRIP JED! Thank you for everything,\u201d commented Papa Roach<\/a>, while Red Hot Chili Peppers<\/a> bassist Flea<\/a> shared a series of heart emojis alongside the words \u201cbless his heart.\u201d Filter<\/a> frontman Richard Patrick<\/a> wrote: \u201cHe was awesome. I\u2019m so sorry to hear of his passing. He will be missed,\u201d while reggae rockers Pepper added, “Rest in paradise, brother! Your legacy will be carried in our hearts forever.”<\/p>\n “This is such sad news. We were fans of Jed and his shows on KROQ long before we ever met him,” wrote the Offspring<\/a> in a separate post<\/a>, noting Gould was the first person to spin their song “Come Out and Play.” “Jed was very smart and funny with a very unique way of looking at the world. His sense of humor was insane in all the best ways. He is forever a local hero who will be greatly missed.”<\/p>\n Late night host Jimmy Kimmel \u2013 who got his start on the KROQ morning show Kevin and Bean<\/em> \u2013 shared a touching tribute<\/a> to Gould. \u201cAfter my first time on the air \u2013 this man, who was already a legend, pulled me aside to reassure me and tell me I was doing great. His world meant the world to me then and they still do. There was no one like him, no matter how hard they tried.\u201d<\/p>\nRock Stars Pay Tribute\u00a0to Jed the Fish<\/h3>\n