Dave Kendall, the British-born presenter and journalist who created and hosted MTV’s 120 Minutes, has died, according to NME.
The show debuted in March 1986 and was designed to give airtime to artists from styles that did not often receive major radio attention. Over the years, it became a platform for punk, ska, synth-pop, post-punk and goth acts.
Kendall hosted 120 Minutes from its launch in 1986 until 1992. The series continued until 2003 and became a major outlet for alternative music as it moved closer to the mainstream.
Confirmation of Kendall’s death was shared by fellow MTV figure and former 120 Minutes co-host Matt Pinfield, who posted a tribute on Tuesday, July 14. Pinfield praised Kendall as “one of the true believers” and said he helped give a home to music that deserved to be heard.
According to NME, Kendall later continued working in television as a host and producer, hosted a show on SiriusXM’s First Wave, and in recent years moved to Thailand, where he worked as a correspondent for the Bangkok Post.
