Lewis Largent, greatest identified for his roles as MTV VJ and KROQ music director, has died. According to Variety, Largent died on February 20 after “a long illness,” as confirmed by his household. Largent was 58.
Originally from Southern California, Largent initially grew to become linked with KROQ (Los Angeles’ alternative-music radio station) as a teen. While working at a rustic membership, he met the station’s basic supervisor, who provided him an internship, which finally led to a full-time position in 1985. By 1989, Largent was named KROQ’s music director.
In 1992, Largent left KROQ to take a VP of music programming place with MTV, and he quickly started internet hosting the choice juggernaut 120 Minutes. Among the numerous musicians he interviewed there have been names like Bjork, PJ Harvey, Trent Reznor, Radiohead, Goo Goo Dolls, Pavement, and David Bowie.
Largent left the present in 1995 however stayed in his MTV programming position till 1999. He then went to Island Def Jam Records, the place he was named senior vp of A&R. While at Island, Largent signed everybody from Sum 41 to Andrew WK earlier than leaving in 2004. Around 2011, Largent went again to highschool and earned his BA in inventive writing from Sarah Lawrence College, adopted by his MFA in 2015.
“I am completely gutted,” wrote fellow VJ Matt Pinfield on Twitter. (Pinfield took over 120 Minutes internet hosting duties from Largent in 1995.) “I loved Lewis very much. I am at a loss for words.”