Dave Kendall, the former MTV host who helped bring alternative music to a wider television audience, has died at 68.
Kendall was best known as the creator and host of MTV’s influential late-night music program 120 Minutes, which he fronted from 1988 to 1992. During that run, he spotlighted rising alternative bands, including Nirvana, at a time when the genre was still moving toward mainstream recognition.
News of his death was shared Tuesday on social media by Matt Pinfield, another well-known host of 120 Minutes.
‘Heartbroken to hear about the passing of Dave Kendall,’ Pinfield wrote in posts on Instagram and X. ‘Dave was one of the true believers.
‘Long before alternative music found its way into the mainstream, he was there every week on 120 Minutes, introducing people to bands that would go on to define an era.’
Pinfield also praised Kendall’s role beyond his on-air presence, saying he ‘gave a home to music that deserved to be heard.’
Former MTV star Dave Kendall has died at 68; pictured above in New York City in 1993
Matt Pinfield, who also hosted 120 Minutes, announced Kendall’s death Tuesday in a social media post
‘He loved the music, respected the artists, and connected with fans in a way that always felt authentic. That’s a rare gift. Sending love to everyone whose life he touched. Rest easy, Dave.’
A cause of death or further details in regards to his passing have yet to be disclosed.
MTV also released a statement to reflect on Kendall’s passion and impact on the industry.
‘We’re saddened to learn of the passing of Dave Kendall, the creator and host of MTV’s alternative music series, 120 Minutes.’
The statement continued, ‘Dave’s passion for the genre, and his role as a tastemaker in discovering the artists who would shape popular culture, helped make MTV a destination for alternative music – as made clear in this clip from the final episode of 120 Minutes’ original run in 2003.
‘His impact on music, MTV, and generations of fans will not be forgotten.’
Kendall created 120 Minutes back in 1986 and began hosting the show two years later.
A number of artists had been showcased on the series such as The Ramones, Kate Bush and Kitchens Of Distinction.
The late TV personality created and hosted MTV’s 120 Minutes from 1988-1992 while also shedding light on alternative bands such as Nirvana at the time
MTV also released a statement to reflect on Kendall’s passion and impact on the industry
‘We’re saddened to learn of the passing of Dave Kendall, the creator and host of MTV’s alternative music series, 120 Minutes,’ MTV’s statement read
In 1991, Nirvana’s music video for the track Smells Like Teen Spirit had its world premiere on 120 Minutes when Kendall had been host.
‘By far the most important thing about 120 Minutes was that it acted as a distribution channel for organic musical produce, if you will,’ the former MTV host said in a past interview with Consequence.
‘The only other outlet for non-mainstream music at the time was a few local college radio stations, because unlike in the UK, mainstream US radio stations were not open to new ideas.’
Kendall explained that he did not initially intend to host the program.
‘But when a few people said, “You should be hosting it,” I started to think about it,’ he recalled.
‘I was doing the research and writing the script, so why shouldn’t I get the credit? And of course, it appealed to my oversized yet incredibly fragile ego.’
However, he stepped down from his hosting duties in 1992 with the late Lewis Largent taking his place until 1995.
Pinfield was later host of the MTV program from 1995 through 1999. He took on hosting duties once again from 2011-2013.
In 1991, Nirvana’s music video for the track Smells Like Teen Spirit had its world premiere on 120 Minutes when Kendall had been host; Dave Grohl, Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic of Nirvana seen in 1992
‘By far the most important thing about 120 Minutes was that it acted as a distribution channel for organic musical produce, if you will,’ the former MTV host said in a past interview with Consequence; seen in 1993 in NYC
After his time on 120 Minutes, Kendall went on to continue work on television.
He notably hosted the Fox series Music Scoupe in 1993 and the 1994 TV special Woodstock ’94.
In 2005, Kendall relocated to Asia where he would later produce and host Destination Thailand (2012).
A few years later in 2017, the TV personality became a reporter for the publication Bangkok Post.
Over the course of his career, the late star worked with companies such as the Travel Channel, Animal Planet and TLC.
He was attached to projects including Amazing Vacation Homes and Vivid Valley as a writer.
Fans took to X upon learning the news of Kendall’s passing this week
Fans took to X upon learning the news of Kendall’s passing this week.
One penned, ‘Bummer. He created something that changed many lives more than ever imagined.’
Another wrote, ‘120 Minutes was a show I looked forward to,’ and an X user added, ‘My Sunday nights when I was in High School: watching The Young Ones, then 120 Minutes with Dave Kendall.’
‘Ah nooooo!!! I recorded every episode of that show for 12 years. It was my main source of alternative music. I remember the Dave years well. Hate to hear this,’ a fan typed.
One shared, ‘Before alternative music got commercialized and polished, Dave was giving a platform to the weird, the noisy, and the beautiful. RIP.’
Kendall’s death comes three years after Lewis Largent, who had also hosted 120 Minutes, passed away at the age of 58 in March 2023; Largent seen above
‘Wow that’s sad. He was part of the soundtrack to my youth. I waited all week for 120 minutes to air,’ another said.
A fan also commented, ‘RIP, Dave. 120 Minutes will live forever.’
‘Man, 120 Minutes is what got me into alternative music in late 80’s, with bands across the pond and in and around America that didn’t get radio airplay. RIP Dave Kendall,’ one penned.
Kendall’s death comes three years after Lewis Largent, who had also hosted 120 Minutes, passed away at the age of 58 in March 2023.
