Jed the Fish, legendary KROQ DJ who shaped alt-rock radio, dies at 69

Iconic KROQ DJ Jed the Fish, who helped define alternative radio in Los Angeles, has died at 69 from lung cancer.

Jed “The Fish” Gould, the influential DJ who helped shape the sound of alternative rock radio in Los Angeles, has died at age 69 following a recent lung cancer diagnosis.

Gould passed away early Monday morning, leaving behind a legacy that defined nearly four decades of KROQ-FM.

Gould joined KROQ in 1978 when the station was still an upstart in Pasadena. Known for breaking punk, new wave, and alternative bands long before they hit the mainstream, he served as a key on-air personality for 34 years. He left KROQ in 2012 after becoming a fixture as its afternoon host.

“Jed the Fish was one of the kindest, funniest, and most unique people I’ve ever met,” said current KROQ DJ Megan Holiday. “He was endlessly creative and could light up an arena with his energy.”

In addition to his time at KROQ, Gould also hosted shifts at KCSN and briefly returned to KROQ via its HD-2 station Roq of the ’80s. He received multiple industry accolades, including Billboard’s Modern Rock Personality of the Year and Radio & Records’ Local Modern Rock Personality of the Year.

Known for his distinctive, layered laugh and offbeat humor, Gould once reflected, “It took me years of imitation before I learned the simplicity of being myself on air.”

Born Edwin Jed Fish Gould III in 1955, he also explored visual art in recent years, working in sculpture and mixed media. His passing marks the loss of a true pioneer in alternative radio, whose voice helped define a generation of Southern California music fans.