MTV 120 Minutes host Lewis Largent dies after a long illness

13 March 2023 , 10:59

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MTV star Lewis Largent, host of MTV’s 120 Minutes, has died (Image: MTV)

MTV 120 Minutes host Lewis Largent has died aged 58 following a long illness, his family have confirmed.

Largent was the influential host of the MTV show which was dedicated to showing the latest alternative rock and electronic music in the early to mid 90s.

He became the Vice President of Music Programming at MTV and interviewed major music stars including David Bowie, Radiohead and Björk.

He also worked as a radio DJ for KROQ and as an A&R senior at Island Def Jam Records.

Largent died on February 20 and is survived by his wife Julie Greenwald, Atlantic Music Group CEO and Chairwoman, and their two children.

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Lewis Largent hosted the MTV show in the early to mid 90s (MTV)

He was born in Southern California and first started working in the music industry as an intern at Los Angeles alt-rock radio station KROQ.

It led to a full-time job in 1985 and four years late, he was promoted to a music director role.

Largent joined MTV in 1992 where he began hosting on their biggest alt-rock programme.

Following his stint as presenter, he worked as a programmer and then eventually Senior Vice President of A&R at Island Def Jam Records.

He went on to sign acts including Sum 41 and Andrew WK.

He interviewed big music icons including David Bowie (MTV)

Largent’s successor at 120 Minutes, Matt Pinfield, paid tribute by saying he was “completely gutted” about the news.

Adding: “I loved Lewis very much. I am at a loss for words.”

Fellow MTV star John Norris wrote: “Not gonna lie, I always wished that I was as cool as Lewis and he could not have been more chill and humble and kind.”

Mia O'Hare