Laboe died Friday night at home in Palm Springs, California, after catching pneumonia, said Joanna Morones, a spokesperson for Laboes production company, Dart Entertainment. The DJ is also credited with popularizing the phrase oldies, but goodies. In 1957, he started Original Sound Record, Inc. and in 1958, released the compilation album Oldies But Goodies: Vol. 12 min read. Though she once aspired to be a sideline sports reporter on TV, after her time on the COD shows, Luna was convinced her calling was radio. Laboe is credited with helping end segregation in Southern California by organizing live DJ shows at drive-in eateries that attracted whites, Blacks and Latinos who danced to rock-n-roll. Photo: Getty Images. WHITNEY HOUSTON PRODUCER CLIVE DAVIS IS EXCITED FOR NEW FILM: NOBODY HAS TOUCHED THE REAL PERSON OF WHITNEY, Art Laboe died Friday at the age of 97. Laboe also didnt appear to judge listeners who asked for dedications for loved ones in prison, Alcaraz said. Places such as the El Montes American Legion Stadium played much of the music Laboe aired on his radio show, giving birth to a new youth subculture. The 20 Sexiest Songs of All Time. ", Art Laboe hosted an annual Art Laboe Valentine's Super Love Jam concert for his radio fans. She said she is eager to see where Old School Becky Lu takes the show. KOKO 94.3 Fresno, CA,(a station owned by Art Laboe): . He later moved to California to attend Stanford. "To be on the radio in those early 1950s days, Art had to pay the station. Catch up on the developing stories making headlines. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers. Now it's Laboe's turn to be on the receiving end of the dedications. Laboe, who lived in Palm Springs, was known to contemporary audiences for keeping the flame alive for Latinos raised on the ultra-romantic crooner and dance group tunes of the 1950s and '60s. SpouseParentChildSiblingFamily memberOther, Sweet James has my permission to help provide a free police report, Big Boy in the studio at The Real 92.3; Credit: Courtesy of iHeartRadio, Ciel Spa aka @CielSpaBH located the SLS Hotel i, Welcoming over 100,000 people every year, what beg, The holiday season is a time of giving! It's really cool because she will share in common that same experience, you know, as a lot of the listeners.. Data from the job posting website Zippia.com shows most DJs in the country are white (72%), trailed by Hispanic or Latino (14%), Black or African American (8%) and Asian (3%). Art Laboe, the pioneering DJ credited with helping end segregation in Southern California, has died. Enter to win a four-pack of tickets to Six Flags Magic Mountain! Then Art comes out and they just melt. To have Luna at the helm of The Art Laboe Connection, Boudreaux said, points to the importance of having women's voices on air. Listen to thousands of live radio stations or create your own artist stations and playlists. (Dublab even has a tutorial from Laboe on how to mimic his signature radio kisses.). Website: oldschool1047.com. He later developed a strong following among Mexican Americans for hosting the syndicated "The Art Laboe Connection Show." There were two other girls, so (they) were training me on how to take the calls, how to write out the dedications and how to set them up for Art, because Art had a certain way, she said. Luna's takeover of the historic show is not only significant because she is a person of color, but also due to the rarity of women DJs on the radio in the United States. Laboe was an inductee into the National Radio Hall of Fame. (Michael Ochs Archives). After all, the old Hot 92.3 doubled as L.A.s lone funk bastion and home of the legendary lowrider Casanova, 89-year-old Art Laboe. Joanna Morones, a spokesperson for Laboes production company, Dart Entertainment, confirmed his death to the Associated Press. DJ Art Laboe sits in his studio and talks about his 75 years in the radio business on Oct. 9, 2018, in Palm Springs, Calif. Laboe, a pioneering disc jockey who hosted a syndicated oldies show for . These elements include Luna's ability to pronounce names, read dedications and talk to callers in Spanish, because she is bilingual. Over the years, his shows were heard on stations including KFWB, KXLA, KPOP, KDA, KPPC, KRTH, KRLA and KFI. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. Feb. 11, 2015. Right now, this veteran of the airwaves is getting support from the web-streaming DJs who were influenced by him. Through his Original Sound Entertainment, he released Oldies But Goodies and Dedicated to You collections that helped preserve a host of West Coast one-hit wonders such as Angel Baby by Rosie and the Originals and the original Earth Angel by the Penguins. Art Laboe, a pioneering US DJ credited with coining the phrase "oldies, but goodies", has died, aged 97. . Eventually, he landed a job as a radio announcer at KSAN in San Francisco and adopted the name Art Laboe after a boss suggested he take the last name of a secretary to sound more American. California and Arizona inmates would send in their own dedications and ask Laboe for updates from family. After decades on air, Laboes legacy now includes a passing of the torch to Old School Becky Lu. After serving in the Navy during World War II, Art landed a job at KSAN in San Francisco and adopted the on-air name, Art Laboe. Around 9 a.m. on a Friday in February, the radio station 92.3 FM abruptly switched formats. "And this tough, hard-nosed guy burst into tears.". On a late morning in January, she sits at the center of the studio, surrounded by memorabilia: pictures of Laboe with different artists, recognition plaques and even a Laboe bobblehead. Dick Smothers, best known as one-half of the Smothers Brothers comedy duo, guest-hosted mornings on Genesis Communications news/talk WWBA Tampa (820) on Monday, Feb 11. But though the station has distanced itself from gritty rap, its bread and butter continues to be high-calorie, hook-glazed Top 40 hip-hop, blended with the occasional Calvin Harris track. American disc jockey, songwriter, record producer, and Data from the job posting website Zippia.com, Taking over for Art Laboe was a natural fit for Old School Becky Lu. His show has been syndicated since 1991. Laboe died Friday at his home in Palm Springs, following a bout with pneumonia, according to Joanna Morones of Laboe's production company. Becoming Riff Raff: How a White Suburban Kid Morphed Into Today's Most Enigmatic Rapper. Dedicated to Art Laboe started before 92.3 morphed from old-school-centric Hot brand to new-school-heavy Real. Initially conceived as a token of thanks, the plan was to have Dublab DJs and their artist and musician friends record greetings and then send the compilation to the master of dedications. The new 92.3 snatched away Power 106s venerable morning host, Big Boy. Laboe's shows broadcast on a handful of stations in California, Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico. Address: 242 East Airport Drive Suite 202 San Bernardino, CA 92408. Laboe continued to host regular programming until just a few days before his death. He was honorary president of the Elvis Presley Fan Club of Los Angeles and one of the few "disc jockeys . "I dont judge," Laboe said in a 2018 interview with the Associated Press at his Palm Springs studio in California. Roger Campos (DJ, Funkmosphere) My favorite memory of Art Laboe was sometime . Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers. The story also said Dick Hugg better known by listeners as "Huggy Boy" began hosting a call-in . People appreciate it, Luna said. Art Laboe and rock n roll musician Chuck Berry pose for a portrait in circa 1975. On Tuesday, flowers will be placed on Laboe's Walk of Fame star at 6800 Hollywood Blvd. Over the years, people have come to trust Art, and he's earned their trust, and that's why he's so central to so many people's lives.". His radio shows gave the families of incarcerated loved ones, in particular, a platform to speak to their relatives by dedicating songs and sending heartfelt messages and updates. Music, radio and podcasts, all free. The famous disc jockey who's widely credited with . He was famous for taking calls from listeners who sought to send out dedications to loved ones, and in later decades forged a sentimental connection not just with nostalgia enthusiasts but a Latino fan base in particular. The Best Live, Local Radio Stations. Listen for free on iHeart! 1," which stayed on the Billboard's Top 100 chart for 183 weeks. They love him.". Art Laboe, a pioneering voice in radio who created one of its most famous phrases, is dead after battling pneumonia. It was on the radio like 2 weeks ago and I can't find it anywhere, please. "I like people. Now, Dublab has opened up the format to include contributions from Laboe's audience at large. Lalo Alcaraz, a syndicated cartoonist and television writer who grew up listening to Laboe in San Diego, said the DJ maintained a strong following among Mexican Americans for generations because he always played Latino, white and Black artists together on his shows. Cars jammed Sunset Boulevard where Laboe broadcast his show, and advertisers jumped to get a piece of the action. LAWeekly Instagram: Featuring the culture of LA since 1978 , Relationship with the Victim* Luna emphasized how the Mexican American community in particular embraced Laboe, his work becoming part of lowrider car culture, prevalent in East Los Angeles and other parts of California, also in the '50s and beyond. [An L.A. native, L.A. Weekly columnist Jeff Weiss edits Passion of the Weiss and hosts the Shots Fired podcast. ], Like us on Facebook at LAWeeklyMusic The station has a connection to Laboe, too. or redistributed. (Pictured: Art Laboe at the 2008 Hollywood Christmas Parade). I like people., He often told a story about a woman who came by the studio so her toddler could tell her father, who was serving time for a violent crime, Daddy, I love you., It was the first time he had heard his babys voice, Laboe said. February 15, 2023 at 8:55 am. In 2015, iHeartMedia's KHHT-FM (92.3) dropped Laboe's syndicated oldies show after the station abruptly switched to a hip-hop format, sparking angry protests in Los Angeles. 3:18. Thats more than I can say of Power 106, which has banished classic rap almost entirely to its throwback hour. . In the mid-1950s, Laboe was the top daytime radio DJ in Los Angeles. "Art Laboe's legacy will endure as his team will continue to produce his current nightly request and dedication syndicated radio show, 'The Art Laboe Connection,'" the post said. Stream Art Laboe free online. "From there, my love for music really grew, because it's always been a part of me. Through investigation, the FCC says they determined Nancy Graham was the operator. The fact that the show is being continued with the voice of a Latina feels huge because that's a lot of our audience.. Laboe was also known for his live concerts that attracted top acts, but were beloved by audiences simply for seeing the famed DJ in person. Morones said Laboe was aware his audience would welcome "a female voice" and someone who spoke Spanish before inviting Luna to co-host. She said plans for a memorial will be announced later. Legal Statement. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER. Eventually, he landed a job as a radio announcer at KSAN in San Francisco and adopted the name Art Laboe after a boss suggested he take the last name of a secretary to sound more American. By 1956, Laboe had an afternoon show and became the citys top radio program. In 2015, iHeartMedia's KHHT-FM dropped Laboe's syndicated oldies show after the station abruptly switched to a hip-hop format sparking angry protests in Los Angeles. But if Real 92.3 wants to creatively thrive rather than play Pepsi to Powers Coca-Cola, it must nurture local talent and break records from rising stars that have yet to hit Top 40. Art Laboe, a radio DJ whose career ran for 79 years, died Friday at his Palm Springs home of pneumonia. There's only ONE Art Lebow, and he's only on Jammin' 99.5FM - Coachella Valley's Old School! He was 97. Listen online or download the iHeart App. Hall Communications has added a translator and flipped ESPN Sports 1340 WNBH New Bedford, MA to classic hits as Big 101.3 The station airs on WNBH and the New Bedford-licensed translator W267CY at 101.3. (Celia Jacobs for The Times) For the record: 10:39 a.m. Feb. 17, 2023: An earlier edition of this story stated that Art Laboe started his radio career at KSAN 107.FM. Radio DJ Art Laboe, who interviewed Elvis for radio in the 1950s before he helped make Black music and Latino youths lifelong friends, has died. Oh my gosh, Luna gushed. Art passed away at the age of 97, after catching pneumonia. He was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2012. What's next: "The Art Laboe Connection Show" will air on stations like 93.5 KDAY Los Angeles and KOKO Jammin' 94.3 Fresno on Sunday nights from 6 pm to midnight PT. Laboe was also known for his live concerts that attracted top acts, but were beloved by audiences simply for seeing the famed DJ in person. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. This dedication goes out to Art Laboe from your LA radio fans, thank you for the memories. And this tough, hard-nosed guy burst into tears., Otto Padron, the CEO of Meruelo Media, called Laboe "a colossal presence in LA and an irreplaceable part of the 93.5 KDAY family.". By the mid-1950s, he was a staple on Los Angeles radio stations, broadcasting live from Scrivner's Drive-In in Hollywood. We are sending our love, today, to the family of beloved SoCal radio host Art Laboe. Oct 11, 2022. "He brought us together. It also streams online at oldschool1047.com. Art Laboe is responsible for many "firsts" in the radio and record business. Laboe died Friday night after catching pneumonia . Market data provided by Factset. Audience members would attend the shows in person to request songs and dedications. As a teen, she and her family would often tune into Laboe in the car as they headed home to the Inland Empire after visiting relatives in LA. By 1958, The Art Laboe Show was a feature of radio station KPOP (now KTNQ) and his show originating from the popular Scrivners Drive-In restaurant in Hollywood was televised live on KTLA-TV. From making sure they hugged goodbye after work to driving him to get groceries at the local Albertsons, Luna said they found their regular things.. We were all sitting down kind of looking at each other, like, this is really special. The scene that Laboe helped cultivate in California became of the nations most diverse. Boudreaux said the station currently employs over 100 people. Lalo Alcaraz, a syndicated cartoonist and television writer who grew up listening to Art Laboe in San Diego, said the DJ maintained a strong following among Mexican Americans for generations because he always played Latino, White and Black artists together on his shows. In came The Real 92.3, offering 10,000 joints in a row of real hip-hop and R&B. This loosely translated to a playlist disproportionately comprised of Drake featuring Drake. A permanent display of Laboes contributions resides in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland. The American disc jockey Art Laboe, who has died aged 97, may have been the first person to recognise that a rock'n'roll song could enjoy a life beyond its few . In doing The Art Laboe Connection on her own, Luna said she is not trying to reinvent or change it. I don't think people understand how significant it is as far as communication goes, says Garay. Laboe was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2012. Art Laboe, the pioneering Los Angeles DJ who championed the Oldies but Goodies format and was revered for sharing on-air dedications with listeners, died Oct. 7 in Palm Springs, Calif. Laboe was th There's only ONE Art Lebow, and he's only on Jammin' 99.5FM - Coachella Valley's Old School! Enter to see Sting: My Songs The Las Vegas Residency (4/8 - 4/10), Enter to win tickets to see Madonna at Kia Forum (1/7/24), Enter to win a trip to see James Taylor in Las Vegas (June 2023), Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. It happened late last year after a bout of pneumonia. Laboe later returned to the Los Angeles airwaves on another station. When folks call in to his radio show, he listens to them. "Laboe was the voice that they would listen to on their rides or their Sunday kickbacks at the park or barbecuing with their family," she said. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? I think he realized the real positive impact he was having on families who were separated through incarceration, says McNeill. When Elvis Presley came to Hollywood, Laboe was one of the few to get an interview with the new rockabilly star. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Anthony Macias, a University of California, Riverside ethnic studies professor, said the music Laboe played went with the dedications, enhancing the messages. Recently Played. More stimulating talk and news radio in Los Angeles and Orange County. He was 97. The 89-year-old DJ has been a radio staple for decades, a champion of new music in the early days of rock & roll who went on to help locals tell their stories through the string of heartfelt dedications that comprise the Art Laboe Connection.. Over the years, people have come to trust Art, and he's earned their trust, and that's why he's so central to so many people's lives.''. He was known for his "oldies but goodies" catchphrase and decades of work on terrestrial radio. I don't know any other radio program that really offers that. McNeil recalls his visit to Laboe's studio, where he saw family photos of listeners that were clearly taken in prison. With more than 860 live broadcast stations in 153 markets across America, there's a local iHeartRadio station virtually everywhere. The final show from Laboe, who is credited with coining the phrase "oldies but goodies," was broadcast Sunday. Laboe's show focuses on unlocking listeners' memories, but he's helping people create them, too. While the show records in the valley and is a recognized SoCal staple, it airs on 14 radio stations across California and Arizona. Its a role Laboe said he felt honored to play. The Art Laboe Love Zone Monday-Thursday, 9:00pm-12mid Sundays, 6:00pm-12mid. "Here is someone who gave a voice to the most humble of us all through music," Alcaraz said. The ValenTimeMachine.com microsite debuted Monday, Feb. 11 and will take listeners as far back as 1970. Listeners can also stream his show online and through various apps. Laboe hosted dances at the El Monte Legion Stadium; in 1960, he teamed with Dick Clark to stage an unprecedented rock n roll show at the Hollywood Bowl that sold 18,000 tickets.. The rules are clear. A couple years ago, members of the Dublab crew visited him at his studio, which resulted in a long and fascinating interview conducted by journalist Josh Kun. Right now, were starting off with records that people are familiar with, but we have to break local records over time.. Long before "Now That's What I Call Music!" He was born Arthur Egnoian to an American-Armenian family in Salt Lake City. The Laboe-curated sound of the Chicano Southwest, including R&B, rock 'n' roll and soul oldies, became a soundtrack for cruising lowriders and classic cars, and Laboe delivered it like a postal worker rain or shine. The Envelope Please The team at Magic 92.5 have been working on Laboe's award presentation since last year. Both Garay and McNeill emphasize the dedications that serve as messages to people behind bars. No one could deserve this recognition more.. LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Memorial services were pending today for Southern California radio pioneer Art Laboe, who spent seven decades behind a microphone, brought rock 'n roll to the West Coast and coined the phrase ``Oldies but Goodies.''. Also, listen to Gary Garay's tribute to Art Laboe's Original Sound label on Dublab. One lucky, FAMILY AFFAIR: INSIDE SNOOP DOGG AND HIS BOSS LADY, By continuing to use our site, you agree to our, Tommy Lasorda: Part Of 5 Freeway Honoring Former Dodger Manager, Newsom Ends 3-Year COVID-19 State of Emergency In California, Vanessa Bryant And L.A. 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Congratulations banners still hang on the walls, from when the show celebrated one of Laboe's many anniversaries of being on the radio. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Morones said the production company is preparing to sell new Laboe merchandise to keep his memory alive. His final show was produced last week and broadcast Sunday night. However, it dawned on her during a DJ meeting at her station that consisted of solely women. What Laboe understates is the sheer amount of hustle it took to actually gain the respect of broadcasters as a young man and even just get the Scrivner's show on air. "Without Art Laboe, Im So Lonely I Could Cry," wrote essayist Adam Vine. "Art Laboe has fostered a rare relationship with his audience," Josh Kun, a professor at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, said in a statement released by Laboe's company. Silence falls over the studio when Luna is asked about Laboe's death. Known for its oldies music, dedications and that legendary voice, the long-running The Art Laboe Connection continues to bring people together despite Laboes death in October at age 97. Out went old-school funk and R&B. Email: marissa.garcia@pointbroadcastingllc.com. Later that year, Laboe returned to the Los Angeles airwaves on another station. . Laboe had to think of creative ways to just get paid, says Kelly, the radio veteran. "His passing leaves a huge hole in the community, and his legacy of connecting to generations of Angelinos on heartfelt dedications and connections to the soul of LA, which cannot be replaced," Padron said in a statement.