J. J. Jackson (media personality)

This article is about the media personality. For the singer, see J. J. Jackson (singer).

J.J. Jackson
Born	John J. Jackson Jr. (1941-04-08)April 8, 1941 The Bronx, New York
Died	March 17, 2004(2004-03-17) (aged 62) Los Angeles, California
Other names	Triple J
Occupation(s)	Radio and television personality

John J. "J.J." Jackson Jr. (April 8, 1941 – March 17, 2004) was an American radio and television personality. He was one of MTV's five original VJs (along with Nina Blackwood, Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter, and Martha Quinn). In his appearances on MTV, Jackson often went by and introduced himself as "Triple J".

Career

Jackson first gained prominence while working at WBCN in Boston in the late 1960s, then at KLOS in Los Angeles for ten years. Jackson was one of the first DJs to introduce Americans to The Who and Led Zeppelin. In 1976, he was featured in a voice-only performance as a DJ of the fictional KGYS radio in the movie Car Wash. 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. He was one of the few African Americans to DJ an "album rock" radio station.

After five years at MTV, Jackson returned to Los Angeles radio, first at KROQ-FM in 1987, then as program director of modern rock/alternative station KEDG ("The Edge") until May 1989. He later returned to KLOS, and hosted the afternoon shift at smooth jazz station KTWV ("The Wave") for one year. He also hosted Westwood One Radio Network's nationally syndicated radio show The Beatle Years from 1995 until his death.

Death

On March 17, 2004, Jackson suffered a heart attack and died at the age of 62 while driving home after dining with a friend in Los Angeles. He was survived by a daughter and three grandchildren.

External links

• J. J. Jackson at Find a Grave