Dave Kendall, the creator and original host of MTV's seminal alternative music program "120 Minutes," has died at the age of 68. His passing was announced Tuesday on social media by Matt Pinfield, who also hosted the series.
"Heartbroken to hear about the passing of Dave Kendall," Pinfield wrote 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."
"120 Minutes" first aired in 1986, with Kendall taking on hosting duties from 1988 to 1992. The program became a crucial platform for artists outside the mainstream, showcasing bands like Nirvana, The Ramones, and Kate Bush.
MTV released a statement acknowledging Kendall's impact: "We're saddened to learn of the passing of Dave Kendall, the creator and host of MTV's alternative music series, 120 Minutes. 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. His impact on music, MTV, and generations of fans will not be forgotten."
Kendall himself described "120 Minutes" as a "distribution channel for organic musical produce" in a past interview with Consequence, noting that mainstream U.S. radio stations at the time were largely unreceptive to new ideas.
Among the program's significant moments was the world premiere of Nirvana's music video for "Smells Like Teen Spirit" in 1991 during Kendall's tenure.
After stepping down from "120 Minutes" in 1992, Kendall continued his television career, hosting Fox's "Music Scoupe" in 1993 and the "Woodstock '94" TV special. He later relocated to Asia, producing and hosting "Destination Thailand" in 2012 and working as a reporter for the Bangkok Post starting in 2017.
Fans shared tributes on social media, with many recalling the show as a vital source for discovering alternative music. One user wrote, "Before alternative music got commercialized and polished, Dave was giving a platform to the weird, the noisy, and the beautiful. RIP."
Another commented, "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."
Kendall's death follows that of Lewis Largent, another former host of "120 Minutes," who passed away in March 2023 at the age of 58.
A cause of death for Kendall has not yet been disclosed.