Jed the Fish, the legendary KROQ DJ known for introducing Southern California to the sounds of alternative rock and punk during the 1980s and 1990s, passed away at 6 a.m. on April 14, 2025, at his Pasadena home. He was 69. His death followed a brief battle with small-cell lung cancer, diagnosed just a few weeks earlier. Known for his laid-back voice and bold music picks, Jed helped define the musical identity of a generation.
A Voice That Changed the Sound of Radio
Jed the Fish, whose real name was Edwin Jed Fish Gould III, hosted KROQ-FM’s afternoon show from 1978 to 2012. His radio career turned the Los Angeles-based station into a national force in alternative rock. He was widely known for being the first to play now-legendary bands like Depeche Mode, the Cure, and No Doubt before they gained mainstream success.
His impact reached far beyond Southern California. By pushing new and edgy sounds, Jed gave unknown artists a shot at stardom. As friend and casting director Paul Sinacore put it, “He transformed the airwaves into a launchpad for revolutionary new music and culture.”
A Beloved Music Tastemaker
Jed’s influence spanned decades. His playlist helped boost careers for bands such as:
- The B-52’s
- The Ramones
- Duran Duran
- Blondie
- Social Distortion
- The Offspring
- System of a Down
Noodles, guitarist for The Offspring, paid tribute on Instagram: “He was the first DJ to spin ‘Come Out And Play.’ That changed everything for us.”
Even artists like Katy Perry, who gained fame in the 2000s, owe part of their early airplay to Jed’s risk-taking style.
Passion Beyond the Microphon
Jed wasn’t just a DJ. He was also a drummer, music producer, and visual artist. He once played drums with System of a Down at KROQ’s iconic Weenie Roast. His creativity could be seen in the massive, whimsical stone sculptures in his garden—described by one real estate agent as “something out of Alice in Wonderland.”
His show “Catch of the Day” became famous for its wild energy and irreverent tone. Listeners never knew what to expect—and that’s what kept them coming back. “It wasn’t just a show,” Sinacore said. “It was a happening.”
Early Life and Radio Beginnings
Born July 15, 1955, in Orange County, Jed started in radio at just 16 after earning his First Class Radiotelephone Operator License. He was fired from one of his early gigs for reading George Carlin’s “Seven Dirty Words” bit on-air—an early sign that he was never one to follow rules.
He studied broadcast journalism at USC, where he met longtime friend Rudy Koerner. Even as a student, Jed was already pitching himself as “Jed the Fish,” sending quirky flyers to radio stations that showed off his offbeat sense of humor.
An Unexpected Goodbye
Jed began feeling ill in January 2025, after the wildfires in Altadena. At first, he thought it was just a reaction to smoke. But after ruling out infection, Dr. Drew Pinsky—another KROQ alum—advised him to get a scan. That led to a cancer diagnosis in early March.
By early April, Jed came home from the hospital for what his friends thought would be a short break before starting chemotherapy. But his condition quickly worsened. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones, in the early hours of April 14.
His close friend Catherine Davis, who managed his social media accounts, wrote: “Jed passed peacefully away in his beloved home. The world will never be the same. RIP Jed, go be with Alice”—a reference to his cherished dog.
A Legacy That Lives On
Jed’s style and voice helped shape KROQ’s identity—and by extension, the music taste of an entire generation. As Koerner put it, “Jed influenced KROQ, the station influenced Los Angeles, and L.A. influenced the country.”
He also hosted the syndicated show Out of Order from 1994 to 2013, and later worked at KCSN-FM and KLOS-FM. In 2019, he returned to the airwaves on KROQ HD2’s “Roq of the 80s.”
Jed won numerous awards, including Billboard’s Modern Rock Personality of the Year in 1997 and 1999. He was named one of L.A.’s top radio personalities in 2004.
A Final Note
Jed the Fish wasn’t just a DJ—he was a cultural spark. His voice, humor, and music taste helped listeners feel seen, understood, and alive. “He is survived by a community of artists, misfits, and fans who were changed by the sound of his voice,” Sinacore said. “Jed didn’t just play the hits. He was the disruption, the detour, the spark in the signal.”
