Matt Pinfield, a beloved music radio host and former MTV VJ, remains hospitalized after having a massive stroke earlier this month.
A representative for Pinfield as well as legal filings by Pinfield’s family confirmed the music industry veteran suffered the stroke Jan. 6 following years of health struggles, which reportedly were contributing factors.
Pinfield made his mark in the 1990s hosting MTV’s influential alternative rock show “120 Minutes” after he appeared on an episode of “The Real World.”
An encyclopedic font of music knowledge, Pinfield went on to work as vice president of A&R at Columbia Records from 2001 to 2006 and later hosted various radio and TV programs, including shows for the Bay Area’s KFOG 104.5 FM, New York’s WRXP, Sirius XM and, more recently, co-hosting “The Power Hour” on AXS TV.
Pinfield spoke with The Post in 2012 about his “rockin’ New York,” detailing some of his favorite venues and encounters with rock royalty.
His hospitalization was hinted at by Los Angeles radio station KCSN, where he hosted a daily show “Afternoons with Matt Pinfield.” The network said Jan. 7 that Pinfield would be stepping away from his role for a time. “The legendary DJ of SoCal Sound, Matt Pinfield, is taking a temporary leave of absence,” the station wrote in a Facebook post.
“We fully support Matt and look forward to having him back on the air with his deep rock knowledge soon.”
Following Pinfield’s stroke, his daughter, Jessica, petitioned for temporary conservatorship over her father, expressing concerns over his ability to manage his health and finances, according to TMZ. The legal documents indicated that Pinfield is “incompetent to make decisions.”
This stroke is the latest in a series of health struggles for Pinfield. In 2018, he was hospitalized after being hit by a car, resulting in a broken leg and several lacerations. He’s also been open about his battles with substance abuse and heart issues, which led to a stint in rehab in 2017.
“I was dealing with A-fib (atrial fibrillation, or irregular heart rhythm),” he told the San Francisco Chronicle at the time. “Drinking on top of it wasn’t a good idea. And it turns out I was overmedicated.”
Despite his health challenges, Pinfield’s passion for music never waned. Mere hours before his stroke, he shared a message on Instagram expressing gratitude for his life.
“Starting another week with gratitude for a life surrounded by great people, life-changing music, and unforgettable experiences that I never take for granted,” he wrote. “Here’s to another week — another day— with an open heart and an open mind. Let’s rock!”
The previous night, Pinfield attended Marilyn Manson’s birthday party.