Former MTV VJ Matt Pinfield Hospitalized After Massive Stroke

Former MTV VJ and music industry stalwart Matt Pinfield has been placed under a temporary conservatorship following a massive stroke he suffered on Jan. 6. According to the TMZ, Pinfield’s daughter Jessica filed for the conservatorship after the stroke due to concerns about her dad’s ability to handle health and financial decisions.

Jessica said Pinfield, 63, a onetime Columbia Records VP of A&R who has had a number of radio gigs over the past 20 years — most recently co-hosting The Power Hour on AXS TV — suffered the stroke on Jan. 6, the same day he issued his most recent Instagram post.

In the post, the rock superfan known for his gravely voice and endless, infectioous enthusiasm for talking about alternative music wrote, “Starting another week with gratitude for a life surrounded by great people, life changing music, and unforgettable experiences that I never take for granted. Here to another week-another day-open heart and open mind. Let’s rock!”

A spokesperson for Pinfield confirmed that he remains hospitalized following the stroke and that he is under a temporary conservatorship. The legal arrangement is typically approved to provide short-term care and protection for someone who is incapacitated and needs help managing their health care, personal finances and day-to-day needs, typically for up to 90 days.

L.A. radio station KCSN hinted at Pinfield’s health issues earlier this month when it announced he would be taking a temporary leave, telling listeners in a statement, “The SoCal Sound’s legendary DJ Matt Pinfield will be taking a temporary leave of absence. We are fully supportive of Matt and hope to have his energetic knowledge of rock n’ roll back on the air soon.”

Pinfield has had a series of health issues over the past few years, including a broken leg and lacerations in 2018 after he was struck by a car and, according to an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle in 2017, an irregular heartbeat due to years of struggles with substance use; he spent time in rehab that year. “I was dealing with A-fib (atrial fibrillation, or irregular heart rhythm),” he said at the time. “Drinking on top of it wasn’t a good idea. And it turns out I was overmedicated.”

Pinfield was photographed at disgraced shock rocker Marilyn Manson’s 56th birthday party alongside Billy Corgan, Filter’s Richard Patrick and Falling in Reverse’s Ronnie Radke, the night before his most recent Instagram post.

Check out messages of support from Pinfield’s friends and peers, including singer/producer Butch Walker, Pretty Wreckless’ Taylor Momsen, music journalist Michael Azerrad, fellow former MTV VJ John Norris and Disturbed singer David Draiman.

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