Lewis Largent, MTV 120 Minutes Host and KROQ-FM DJ, Dies at 58 After Long Illness
MTV 120 Minutes host Lewis Largent has died at the age of 58.
The star – who was also a DJ at California radio station KROQ-FM – passed away on February 20 after a long illness that his family has now confirmed.
He is survived by his wife, Atlantic Music Group Chairman and CEO Julie Greenwald, and their two children.
MTV’s 120 Minutes was dedicated to playing the latest in alternative rock and electronic music in the early and mid-’90s.
He also worked for MTV as vice president of music programming, interviewing artists such as David Bowie, Trent Reznor, Radiohead, Björk, and Smashing Pumpkins.
Sad news: MTV 120 Minutes host Lewis Largent has died at the age of 58, his family has revealed.
Tragic: The star – who was also a DJ at California radio station KROQ-FM – passed away on February 20 after a long illness
He also worked as a radio DJ for KROQ and as an A&R senior at Island Def Jam Records.
He got his start in the music industry with an internship at Los Angeles alternative rock radio station KROQ.
He began working for the station full-time in 1985 and was promoted to music director in 1989.
Lewis stopped hosting 120 Minutes for MTV in 1995, but continued as a programmer for MTV until 1999 before joining Island Def Jam Records as Senior Vice President of A&R.
He went on to sign acts including Sum 41 and Andrew WK.
He resigned from the label in 2004.
His role as host was next assigned to Matt Pinfield.
After hearing the news of Largent’s death, he tweeted on Friday: ‘I am completely devastated. He loved Lewis very much. I have no words.’
Family: Survived by his wife, Atlantic Music Group Chairman and CEO Julie Greenwald, and their two children (interviewing Davis Bowie)
Shock: His role as host was next assigned to Matt Pinfield. After hearing the news of Largent’s death, he tweeted on Friday: ‘I am completely devastated. He loved Lewis very much. I have no words’
MTV personality John Norris, who was a correspondent for MTV News during the same time, tweeted: “Not going to lie, always wanted to be as cool as Lewis and he couldn’t have been more laid back, humble and kind.”
Elsewhere, SiriusXM host and Largent’s KROQ colleague Doug ‘Sluggo’ Roberts said: ‘It’s heartbreaking to think we’ve lost Lewis Largent.
“The LewMonkey, as I called him, couldn’t have been more welcoming when I joined KROQ in one of its coolest phases (thanks in large part to him) and quickly became a good friend. RIP my brother!
According to Variety, she received degrees in creative writing from Sarah Lawrence College following her career in the music industry.