Jim Ladd, the muse for Tom Petty's 'The Last DJ,' Let Go From Radio Gig

Lay offs hit radio stations industry difficult on Wednesday as reviews emerged that Obvious Funnel was letting go 100s of employees in promising small to mid-sized marketplaces in support of "Premium Choice" content format-specific programming syndicated to stations on the regional and national basis (like On Air with Ryan Seacrest).our editor recommendsFormer Tribune Co. Boss Randy Michaels Charged With DUIHoward Stern Bids Goodbye to Radio Alma Mater WYSP With Half-Hour Telephone Call (Audio)Why Podcasts Are Comedy's Second Coming: Adam Carolla, Marc Maron and Greg Proops Weigh In (Q&A) And today comes word that Cumulus Media, new proprietors of Citadel Broadcasting's popular La stations KABC (talk) and KLOS (classic rock) have let as much as 27 people go, included in this: legendary disc jockey Jim Ladd, who's praised because the last freeform jock working within the U.S. called the subject of Tom Petty's 2002 song "The Final DJ," itself an indictment from the radio industry that was eventually banned by Obvious Funnel. STORY:Michele Norris Steps Lower From NPR Ladd started his radio career in 1969 at Lengthy Beach rock station KNAC. He spent a lot more than 14 years at KLOS, where his show broadcast from 10 p.m. to two a.m. Mondays through Thursdays, consistently leading in rankings because of its time slot. He launched a magazine, Radio Waves, in 1992. "My disappointment is I didn't possess a farewell show," Ladd told the Oc Register."I had been very stunned and that i still am. I've been through this before, but it's always distressing." His last song was Pink Floyd's "Shine You Crazy Gemstone." STORY:New Study Finds Top Ten Hits Centered by Synths, Lyrics About 'Hooking Up' In 2003, Petty described this is from the song "The Final DJ," from the album of the identical title, telling journalist Jim DeRogatis it's "in regards to a DJ who becomes so frustrated together with his lack of ability to experience what he wants he moves to Mexico and will get his freedom back." Based on radio tipsheet RAMP(Radio and Music Pros), Jack Silver has walked in as PD for KABC and KLOS, with Uncle Joe Benson overtaking the mid-day slot and Gary Moore growing to night time. Tom Petty and also the Heartbreakers are going to play two nights of great benefit shows in the Performance Theater at Cal Condition Northridgefor L.A. public radio station KCSN's fall pledge drive. Pay attention to Ladd's 1974 interview with John Lennon below and browse the lyrics toPetty's "The Final DJ" following the jump... Related Subjects 1 2 next last