Dave Kendall, creator of MTV’s 120 Minutes, dies at 68

Dave Kendall, the British-born creator and original host of MTV's influential alternative music program "120 Minutes," has died at age 68. The news was announced on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, by fellow former host Matt Pinfield in a social media tribute.

Pinfield wrote that he was heartbroken by the passing of his friend and colleague, calling Kendall "one of the true believers." He credited Kendall with introducing audiences to bands that would define an era long before alternative music entered the mainstream. "He didn't just host a show. He gave a home to music that deserved to be heard," Pinfield stated. A cause of death has not been disclosed.

Kendall, who began his career as a music journalist for publications like Melody Maker and Spin, was hired by MTV to create "120 Minutes." The show launched on March 10, 1986, and Kendall began hosting it in 1988. He served as a crucial tastemaker during the program's formative years, using it as a platform for non-mainstream artists at a time when few national outlets existed for such music. Under his guidance, the show premiered videos for acts like Nirvana, including the world premiere of the iconic "Smells Like Teen Spirit" video in...