Dave Kendall, the British-born journalist who created and later hosted MTV’s seminal alternative music program 120 Minutes, has died at the age of 63. The news was shared by his friend and successor Matt Pinfield via Instagram, and confirmed by the Bangkok Post, where Kendall served as a columnist from 2017 until 2025. A cause of death was not disclosed.
Kendall began his career writing for publications such as Melody Maker and Spin before relocating to New York City in the 1980s. He joined MTV at the network’s inception, spending seven years as a writer, producer, presenter, and news reporter. Though 120 Minutes launched in 1986, Kendall took the host chair three years later, becoming the show’s passionate face during a pivotal era for alternative rock. He championed acts like Sonic Youth and the Pixies, and notably hosted the world television premiere of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” in 1991.
Beyond 120 Minutes, Kendall co-produced the talk show Music Scoupe and held various radio, television, and DJ roles. His early 1990s program Planet Traxx on Hot 97 is credited as the first electronica show on commercial radio. From the mid-1990s onward, he pioneered digital journalism and early online video streaming before eventually returning to television and settling in Thailand.
In a heartfelt tribute, Pinfield wrote: “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. He didn’t just host a show. He gave a home to music that deserved to be heard. He loved the music, respected the artists, and connected with fans in a way that always felt authentic. That’s a rare gift.”