Dave Kendall, the creator and host of MTV‘s 120 Minutes, has died.
Kendall’s former colleague Matt Pinfield announced his death on social media. No cause of death has been presented, and Kendall’s age has not officially been confirmed. Kendall’s Wikipedia page lists his age at 68.
“Heartbroken to hear about the passing of Dave Kendall,” Pinfield wrote on Tuesday. “Dave was one of the true believers. Long before alternative music found its way into the mainstream, he was there every week on 120 Minutes, introducing people to bands that would go on to define an era.”
120 Minutes was not some sort of ironic or deep series title — the late, late night show played music videos for two hours. What a time it was. These days, MTV barely exists. The Paramount Global-owned cable channel pretty much just airs Jersey Shore shows, The Challenge, and reruns of old Ridiculousness episodes. Music videos exist pretty much just on YouTube and Vimeo. But in the time of Kendall and Pinfield, MTV and the visuals it provided could launch (and sometimes stifle) an artist’s entire career.
“[Kendall] didn’t just host a show,” Pinfield continued. “He gave a home to music that deserved to be heard. He loved the music, respected the artists, and connected with fans in a way that always felt authentic. That’s a rare gift.”
Pinfield would know — he hosted 120 Minutes a few years after Kendall’s tenure ended.
Kendall created the program in 1986 and became its host in 1988. In 1991, he famously debuted Nirvana’s music video for Smells Like Teen Spirit, the song that launched grunge into the stratosphere and changed pretty much everything about rock and alternative music. Kendall exited the program the following year; Pinfield took over in 1995.
Later, Kendall would host a radio show on SiriusXM and return to journalism via the Bangkok Post.
“Sending love to everyone whose life he touched,” Pinfield’s X post concluded. “Rest easy, Dave.”
Kendall began his career as a music journalist in his home country of England.