Dusty Road, the pioneering DJ of California’s various rock station radio station KROQ-FM, has died aged 77.
The DJ died on Saturday (October 21) at her house in Eugene, Oregon, the place she settled in 2022 as she battled well being issues.
The information was shared by former KLOS-FM DJ Geno Michellini, who wrote on Fb: “There have been rumours and tales surfacing. I’ve been in Eugene the final two days at Dusty Road’s beside.
“The numerous afflictions that she has been so indomitably fighting these last years finally caught up to her. I am writing with a broken heart to say that Dusty left us tonight.”
He added that she “died peacefully, quietly and surrounded by love in a beautifully serene location overlooking the most beautiful lake you could ever want. As befitting the queen that she was”.
“There will never be another Dusty Street. The queen is gone, but she’ll never be forgotten,” he concluded.
Billy Idol is amongst artists to have shared tributes, who mentioned on social media that he was “very sad” to listen to of Road’s passing. He added: “She backed Generation X & my solo career on radio #KROQ & was one of the first to play White Wedding… we always had fun together Rock on Dusty love BFI…”
Very unhappy to listen to of #dustystreet passing … she backed Era X & my solo profession on radio #KROQ & was one of many first to play White Wedding ceremony… we at all times had enjoyable collectively Rock on Dusty love BFI .. pic.twitter.com/RCd1IDUCiV
— Billy Idol (@BillyIdol) October 27, 2023
Road started her profession DJing at San Francisco’s KMPX-FM in 1967, earlier than transferring to KSAN in 1969 the place she stayed for a decade.
She took up her function at Los Angeles’ KROQ in 1979 and is extensively credited as one of many first feminine rock DJs.
Extra lately, Road labored at SiriusXM, the place she spent 20 years on the Deep Tracks channel.
The station shared its personal tribute on social media, writing: “We have lost one of our own. Dusty Street has passed away after 77 joyous trips around the sun. And yes, Dusty Street was her real name.”
Paul Wells, a former music director on the San Jose-based KSJO-FM, wrote in a social submit: “She was the Queen, and mentored many of us.”
Discover extra social media tributes for the late DJ beneath.
My pal Dusty Road, the beloved legendary radio DJ who was on the air from 1969 by means of this yr, has died. She labored for San Francisco’s KSAN + the world well-known KROQ. Fly low and keep away from the radar – I’ve little question you’re reunited along with your beloved kitty Noble Fur. pic.twitter.com/kvGr1vy54v
— Annie Zaleski (@anniezaleski) October 22, 2023
Time is a merciless mistress. All of us misplaced a pricey pal immediately. Dusty Road, a real radio legend and a pricey pal, has handed away. Your abilities is not going to be forgotten. Fly low and keep away from the radar, Dusty. pic.twitter.com/qBUro1XITr
— Richard Blade (@richardblade) October 22, 2023
I shot this on the then-new KROQ studios in Burbank. Dusty Road with Steve Jones. Legends. All the time loved speaking to Road, watching her work was a real deal with. A real loss. pic.twitter.com/G8oxKtDJsE
— Diane Morales (@LombardLoyLand) October 22, 2023
RIP #DustyStreet – a pressure on radio and in life. How fortunate we have been to share these years with you on the airwaves
Roq of the 80s (l-r) Egil, Scott Mason (RIP), Rodney Bingenheimer, Van Johnson, Raymondo, @Poorman1, @richardblade, @JedTheFish, and the stunning, Dusty Road. pic.twitter.com/VLlqyo3ArQ
— Swedish Egil (@SwedishEgil) October 25, 2023
RIP Dusty Road pic.twitter.com/IQKLXmebuL
— SixStringWordsmith (@6StringWord) October 22, 2023
The world misplaced a real legend of FM Radio tonight. A pioneer of Rock Jocks. Dusty Road. Gods Velocity My pal. pic.twitter.com/b62arcjoZX
— J. Laz (@JefLazb) October 22, 2023
RIP Dusty Road. Thanks for paving the way in which… https://t.co/GL2NVb1ScK
— Kat Corbett (@KatCorbett) October 22, 2023
#RIP #DustyStreet One in every of my icons now has a heavenly DJ gig. Dusty Road was an inspiration to these of us fortunate sufficient to have listened to her on native California radio stations again within the 70s and 80s (I labored at KZSU within the Bay Space throughout faculty).https://t.co/ydqBsoILB2
— Gale Anne Hurd (@GunnerGale) October 22, 2023