Early MTV presenter dies aged 62

"JJ" Jackson was a radio personality before working for MTV

John "JJ" Jackson, one of music channel MTV's first on-air personalities, has died aged 62.

The radio disc jockey worked became one of MTV's earliest "video jockeys" when it launched in the US in 1981.

Mr Jackson died of an apparent heart attack while driving home from dinner in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

MTV said: "He was a big part of the channel's success and we are sure he is in the music section of heaven, with lots of his friends and heroes."

It said Mr Jackson's love of music and sense of humour helped set the channel's tone in its formative years.

He gained prominence while working at radio stations in Boston and Los Angeles before heading to MTV in New York.

After five years at the music channel, Jackson returned to radio in Los Angeles.

"I talked to him two days ago. JJ was in a great place," said Mark Goodman, a friend who also worked on MTV at its launch.

"It's incredible, so incredibly sad it happened like this."

Mr Jackson was divorced and left a daughter and two grandchildren, Mr Goodman said.