Dave Kendall, Original Host of MTV's 120 Minutes, Dies

Dave Kendall, the creator and original host of MTV's famous music show 120 Minutes, has died. The news was shared by former 120 Minutes host Matt Pinfield on July 14. Kendall's cause of death has not been announced.

In a message on X, Pinfield remembered Kendall as someone who truly loved music. He said Kendall helped introduce many people to alternative bands before the music became popular. Pinfield added that Kendall respected artists and had a genuine connection with music fans.

Kendall was born in the United Kingdom. He created 120 Minutes in 1986 and hosted the show from 1988 to 1992. The late-night MTV program focused on alternative music and featured artists such as Kate Bush, the Ramones, and They Might Be Giants. At a time when alternative music was not well known, the show gave many new bands a chance to reach a larger audience.

One of the show's biggest moments came on September 29, 1991, when Nirvana's iconic music video for "Smells Like Teen Spirit" premiered on 120 Minutes. The show later became known as an important part of alternative music history.

In a 2016 interview with Consequence, Kendall said that the term "alternative music" was not commonly used when the show began. He explained that the program featured many different styles of music, including punk, synth-pop, ska, psychedelic rock, and gothic music. According to Kendall, what connected these artists was their creativity and passion.

After leaving MTV, Kendall continued working in music and media. He worked as a DJ, TV reporter, and producer. He also hosted radio programs on Sirius Satellite Radio, including Party 360 With Dave Kendall. In recent years, he wrote articles and produced video content for the Bangkok Post.

Dave Kendall is remembered for helping bring new and original music to television audiences. His work on 120 Minutes played a major role in introducing alternative music to fans around the world.