J.J. Jackson, One Of MTV's First VJs, Dies At Age 62

[Paragon]

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1485838/20040318/index.jhtml?headlines=true

J.J. Jackson, remembered as one of the first faces of MTV, died Wednesday night in Los Angeles of an apparent heart attack, according to friends and former business associates. He was 62.

Jackson helped define the term "VJ" as one of the first on-air personalities on MTV when the channel launched in 1981. During his five-year tenure with the network, Jackson interviewed some of the top names of the day and was part of some key music milestones. Jackson covered the 1985 Live Aid benefit concert in London and helped to "unmask" Kiss during a 1982 interview. He also hosted the debut episode of MTV's long-running "120 Minutes" in 1986, and brought music titans like Robert Plant and Pete Townshend to the then-fledgling channel.

MTV released a statement Thursday evening (March 18), mourning the loss of one of its beloved alumni and reflecting on his immense contribution to the station.

"J.J. Jackson's deep passion for music, his ease and good humor on air, and his welcoming style really set the tone for the early days of MTV. He was a big part of the channel's success and we are sure he is in the music section of heaven, with lots of his friends and heroes. We are fortunate to have had him as a part of the MTV family. He will be greatly missed."

[AspenRose]

1. Aw man

That's sad to hear. I was part of that first MTV generation in the 80s. And 62 is not that old.

[rocktivity]

2. That was back when MTV VJs WERE VJs

That is, they were hired for their musical backgrounds rather than their looks. And back then, MTV tried to play a variety of music (though they had to be prodded into playing Michael Jackson and Prince). According to an article I read in the Village Voice, Kurt Loder had the distinction of being the only person MTV hired because he had a brain. Rock in peace, JJ.

:headbang:
rocknation

[MrSlayer]

3. Was just about to post this. R.I.P. JJ.

Remember when MTV was actually cool? Yeah it's hard because it was so long ago but JJ was one the guys who made it so. He always had more Metal vids on his show than anyone else and is by far my favorite original VJ. R.I.P. Dude, I'll hoist one in your honor tonight while playing "Screaming for Vengeance".

[flamingyouth]

4. RIP, J.J.

He was always my favorite of that first generation of VJs.

[Westegg]

5. Damn! R.I.P., J.J.

Mr. Jackson was a first-rate DJ in Boston and L.A. before he cast his lot in with the fledgling MTV . He's the first "VJ" I remember, a million---well, 20-some---years ago.

[terrya]

6. I liked him too. And what's kind of sad is I wonder how many current

MTV watchers even knew who he was.

What a shame that J.J. Jackson has died.

Terry

[cmf]

7. That's sad

:(

(Does MTV even have VJ's anymore? We don't get MTV, but I used to watch it a lot back in the day.)

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

8. a better question

does mtv any have videos anymore? or music?

i quit watching when they cancelled 120 Minutes after 15 years in favor showing sunday night marathons of Undressed

[fudge stripe cookays]

9. Fuck. I wondered if 120 Minutes was still on. Should have known better.

I have 12 VHS tapes full of viddies from around 88-93 (and some later). They've always been gold to me. First thing I'm grabbing if the house catches fire.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

11. last ep aired in 2001

have it on tape. they premiered Sleater-Kinney's "you're no rock and roll fun" and the international noise conspiracy's "smash it p"

[cmf]

10. That's true

How can they have VJs if they don't show videos anymore? I don't think MTV2 has VJs though.

[henslee]

12. Always thought his wet look hairdoo was ridiculous but he was an okay guy

He was just on the radio last week talking about the Howard Stern FCC thing. He did not really take a stand but not everyone is built that way. Oh well, time marches on. Hats off to you JJ