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Dave Kendall, Creator and Host of MTV's 120 Minutes, Has Died
Matt Pinfield said Kendall helped bring underground bands to MTV and gave alternative music a mainstream platform.
- Dave Kendall, creator and former host of MTV's '120 Minutes,' has died, with fellow MTV alum Matt Pinfield announcing the news on Tuesday, July 14.
- Kendall pitched MTV a dedicated program for underground sounds largely ignored by corporate radio after joining as a producer, envisioning '120 Minutes' as the network's platform for punk, post-punk, goth and alternative genres when it debuted on March 10, 1986.
- The program acted as a distribution channel for non-mainstream music confined to college radio, featuring artists like Kate Bush, The Ramones, Morrissey, Kitchens of Distinction and Husker Du. Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' premiered there on September 29, 1991.
- Pinfield described Kendall as 'one of the true believers' who gave a home to music that deserved to be heard before alternative reached the mainstream. Fans shared nostalgic memories of staying up Sunday nights watching the program.
- After leaving MTV in 1992, Kendall worked as a club DJ, television producer and SiriusXM host before eventually settling in Thailand and Indonesia as a Bangkok Post correspondent championing environmental causes. His cause of death was not disclosed.
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The IndependentReposted by 
The Independent (US)
The Independent (US)Dave Kendall death: MTV’s 120 Minutes host dies at 68
British-born music journalist started on the iconic show in 1986
·London, United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources19
Leaning Left10Leaning Right0Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution71% Left
Bias Distribution
- 71% of the sources lean Left
71% Left
L 71%
C 29%
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