J. J. Jackson

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For the 1960s R&B/soul singer, see J. J. Jackson (singer).

J.J. Jackson's first day on MTV

John J. Jackson, Jr. (November 25, 1941 ? – March 17, 2004) was one of MTV's 5 original VJs (along with Nina Blackwood, Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter, and Martha Quinn).

He first gained prominence while working at WBCN in Boston in the late 1960s, then at KLOS in Los Angeles for 10 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.

After five years at MTV, Jackson returned to Los Angeles radio, first at KROQ in 1987 then as program director of modern rock/alternative station KEDG ("The Edge") until May of 1989. He later returned to KLOS, and hosted the afternoon shift at smooth jazz station KTWV for one year.^[1]

Jackson suffered a massive heart attack and died on March 17, 2004 while driving home after dining with a friend in Los Angeles. He had a daughter and two grandchildren. He was 62.