J.J. Jackson (media personality)
| J.J. Jackson | |
|---|---|
| Born |
John J. Jackson, Jr. April 8, 1941 The Bronx, New York |
| Died |
March 17, 2004 (aged 62) Los Angeles, California |
| Other names | Triple J |
| Occupation | Radio and television personality |
John J. "J.J." Jackson, Jr. (April 8, 1941 – March 17, 2004) was an American radio and television personality. He was one of MTV's five original VJs (along with Nina Blackwood, Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter, and Martha Quinn). In his appearances on MTV, Jackson often went by and introduced himself as "Triple J".
Career
Jackson first gained prominence while working at WBCN in Boston in the late 1960s, then at KLOS in Los Angeles for ten years. Jackson was one of the first DJs to introduce Americans to The Who and Led Zeppelin. He was a music reporter for KABC-TV when he was tapped as one of MTV's original "fab five." As a VJ, Jackson hosted the long-awaited and much anticipated "unmasking" of KISS. He was one of the few African Americans to DJ an "album rock" radio station.
After five years at MTV, Jackson returned to Los Angeles radio, first at KROQ-FM in 1987, then as program director of modern rock/alternative station KEDG ("The Edge") until May 1989. He later returned to KLOS, and hosted the afternoon shift at smooth jazz station KTWV ("The Wave") for one year.[1]
Death
Jackson suffered a heart attack and died on March 17, 2004, while driving home after dining with a friend in Los Angeles. He had a daughter and three grandchildren. He was 62.[2]
References
- ↑ Jim Ladd's "Radio Waves: Life & Revolution on the FM Dial"
- ↑ Reid, Shaheem; Waller, Curtis; Vineyard, Jennifer (2004-03-14). "J.J. Jackson, One Of MTV's First VJs, Dies At Age 62". mtv.com. Retrieved 2009-06-22.