Laboe, who hosted a show on Los Angeles radio station KDAY, died Friday of pneumonia, according to a statement on his Facebook page. 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. He has a collection on permanent exhibit at Clevelands Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Without Art Laboe, Im So Lonely I Could Cry, wrote essayist Adam Vine. Art Laboe is honored with the first-ever "Magic 92.5 Lifetime Achievement Award" for numerous achievements over his 75-year career. Oct. 11, 2022 2:10 PM PT. In recent decades, Laboe was noted for allowing inmates' relatives to send in dedications intended to be heard by their incarcerated loved ones. The Art Laboe Love Zone Monday-Thursday, 9:00pm-12mid Sundays, 6:00pm-12mid. Variety is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Power 106 might regularly play Y.G., DJ Mustard and the artists on TDE, but it only began doing so after theyd built a national fan base. One of the sayings he had for himself was 'Don't walk through it.' Its warned her to power down the station or face fines and other penalties. 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. ", It was the first time he had heard his babys voice, Laboe told The Associated Press in 2019. Listen to top radio stations, music, news, podcasts, sports, talk, and comedy shows. Around that time, as a new generation of acts began to overshadow the 1940s and 50s musical pioneers, Laboe saw an opportunity to tap into nostalgia with compilation albums of early hits from the rock, R&B and doo-wop eras. Here is someone who gave a voice to the most humble of us all through music, Alcaraz said. Laboe began his career in San Francisco in the early 1940s, then bounced among a host of stations across the state, primarily in Southern California. and can be heard Sunday-Friday nights 7pm-12am on HOT 92.3 KHHT Los Angeles CA and nationwide on iHeartRadio.com and parts of the show also air on several other stations in the Southwest including Magic 92.5 . Luna had some knowledge of the work since she'd taken broadcasting classes at College of the Desert. Laboe died Friday night at home in Palm Springs, California, after catching pneumonia, said Joanna Morones, a spokesperson for Laboe's production company, Dart Entertainment. Like a lot of folks in Southern California, the team at Dublab are big fans of Laboe. He moved to California to attend Stanford University before he served in the Navy during World War II. His final show was . Find him online at passionweiss.com, follow him on Twitter and also check out his archives.]. KDAY is 90's Hip-Hop. He wrote it on a little Post-It, she said. Its been more than a dozen years since a local hip-hop station served as a legitimate talent incubator. Laboe died Friday night at home in Palm Springs, California, after catching pneumonia, said Joanna Morones, a spokesperson for Laboes production company, Dart Entertainment. Tune in to 93.5 KDAY for "The Art Laboe Connection Show". With the rise of dance music, Power 106 has gone from where hip-hop lives to where hip-hop sublets. Thank you to our dedicated fans that have listened through the decades and made The Art Laboe Connection a family tradition, he said. Art Laboe is responsible for many "firsts" in the radio and record business. As a DJ for KXLA in Los Angeles, Laboe bought station time and hosted live overnight music shows from drive-ins where hed meet underground rockabilly and R&B musicians. I see these really tough looking guys in the crowd. So was my mom! While the show records in the valley and is a recognized SoCal staple, it airs on 14 radio stations across California and Arizona. or redistributed. Laboe, who was twice divorced, was preceded in death by two sons, three sisters and a brother. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. I mean, they look scary," Nogales said. 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. Becky Lu was a natural fit. November 19, 1958. Out went old-school funk and R&B. The Envelope Please The team at Magic 92.5 have been working on Laboe's award presentation since last year. Laboe, who was known for coining the phrase "oldies but goodies," produced his last radio show after 75 years on the air last week, which broadcast Sunday night. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. 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What turned out to be his final broadcast aired Sunday night, after being recorded last week. Were so happy hes a part of the Magic 92.5 family and we were incredibly proud to present him with the stations very first Lifetime Achievement Award. His baritone voice invited listeners to call in dedications and request a 1950s-era rock n roll love ballad or a rhythm and blues tune from Alicia Keys. Roger Campos (DJ, Funkmosphere) My favorite memory of Art Laboe was sometime . "He has always treated people with respect and taken them very seriously -- not as a marketing demographic, not a source of potential advertising revenue, but he has taken them seriously as a community, and as individuals. This was a strong way of communication to reach incarcerated loved ones, says McNeil. Years later, when I joined my college radio station, I hosted a weekly call-in request show as an homage to Art Laboe. "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. (Dublab even has a tutorial from Laboe on how to mimic his signature radio kisses.). And I havent let go since, Laboe said. He was one of the first DJs to play rock n roll and R&B on West Coast radio stations. 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. While Laboe is something of an L.A. phenomenon he was hosting events in El Monte before many of his listeners were born his reach extends beyond the Southland. Mr. Laboe, who died Oct. 7 at 97, broadcast from radio stations across California and the Southwest, where his call-in show served as a community bulletin board and gathering space, a platform for . He was predeceased by two sons, three sisters and one brother. 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.''. 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. But he started gracing the airwaves at age 13, when he started an amateur radio station from his bedroom. Laboe was often tapped by Hollywood as a consultant and music producer. He was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2012. [Update: Art Laboe is coming back to the Inland Empire. Candace Silva-Torres, a producer and DJ for KCRW in Los Angeles known as DJ SiLVA, relates. The voices and stories that came from it enveloped him. 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. Enter to Win a digital download of A Man Called Otto PLUS a $50 savings pass from 1-800-Flowers! 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. "To be on the radio in those early 1950s days, Art had to pay the station. The station has a connection to Laboe, too. iHeartRadio lets you access the world of music and radio in one simple platform. He later began hosting wildly popular dance shows in El Monte. Silence falls over the studio when Luna is asked about Laboe's death. R Dub! @laweeklymusic, The 20 Best Hip-Hop Songs in History George Lucas worked with Laboe on licensing tunes for the soundtrack of his 1973 smash American Graffiti, and Laboe was proud of ensuring that the artists got their due and their cut of licensing revenue. His radio shows gave the families of incarcerated loved ones, in particular, a platform to speak to their relatives by dedicating songs and sending messages and updates. Meanwhile, Luna is a lifetime valley native. Laboe died Friday night after catching pneumonia . He later returned to the Southern California area, but a radio station owner told the aspiring announcer he should work on becoming a radio personality instead. She said she is eager to see where Old School Becky Lu takes the show. We are sending our love, today, to the family of beloved SoCal radio host Art Laboe. It's the first time in KCRW history, actually, where it's majority women and it feels like there's a bubble bursting.. We want to exude L.A., Wynter says. Laboe also didnt appear to judge listeners who asked for dedications for loved ones in prison, Alcaraz said. The fact that the show is being continued with the voice of a Latina feels huge because that's a lot of our audience.. Smothers filled the daypart most recently occupied by Bubba The Love Sponge, who is now on sports sister WHBO (1040). By 1956, Laboe had an afternoon show and became the citys top radio program. Laboe continued to host regular programming until just a few days before his death. LOS ANGELES . Thats why we sought him out.. ``He has always treated people with respect and taken them very seriously -- not as a marketing demographic, not a source of potential advertising revenue, but he has taken them seriously as a community, and as individuals. I don't think people understand how significant it is as far as communication goes, says Garay. 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.". Art Laboe, a pioneering US DJ credited with coining the phrase "oldies, but goodies", has died, aged 97. . Now, Dublab has opened up the format to include contributions from Laboe's audience at large. "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. "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. Through investigation, the FCC says they determined Nancy Graham was the operator. When she started at the show, Luna recalls feeling a bit intimidated but mostly eager to learn. 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%). FILE - 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 decades, died Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. He marked 79 years on the air, "the longest continuing period of broadcast service" of any U.S. DJ, in September, according to his website. Laboe maintained a strong following throughout the years and transformed into a promoter of aging rock n roll acts who never faded from Mexican-American fans of oldies. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER. One of the first DJs to play Black music in California, Laboe helped introduce Latinos to R&B, rock 'n' roll and soul oldies. He was 97. Laboe is credited with helping end segregation in Southern California by organizing live shows at drive-ins that attracted crowds of all races. "And I havent let go since," Laboe said. (Pictured: Art Laboe at the 2008 Hollywood Christmas Parade). Art Laboe, a disc jockey for more than 50 years, hosts his Art Laboe Valentine's Super Love Jam concert in Glendale, Ariz., on Feb. 13, 2009. Laboe began his career in San Francisco in the early 1940s, then bounced among a host of stations across the state, primarily in Southern California. Out went old-school funk and R&B. More stimulating talk and news radio in Los Angeles and Orange County. A permanent display of Laboes contributions resides in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland. The famous disc jockey who's widely credited with . 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. Tyler Boudreaux, who goes by Boogie Boudreaux and started her work as a DJ at KCRW in 2021, said that although she is a Black woman, her job didn't seem like something that was groundbreaking as she was forging her way. Also, listen to Gary Garay's tribute to Art Laboe's "Original Sound" label on Dublab. Laboe, who hosted a show on Los Angeles radio station KDAY, died Friday of pneumonia, according to a statement on his Facebook page. Laboe is credited with coining the phrase oldies, but goodies.. LOS ANGELES -- Art Laboe, the pioneering radio DJ who read heartfelt song dedications to generations of loyal listeners and was credited with helping end segregation in Southern California during an eight-decade broadcast career, has died. Art Laboe and rock n roll musician Chuck Berry pose for a portrait in circa 1975. Top Songs. But it was in Los Angeles where he found a formula that worked: playing Black and white R&B music and rock together for the city. 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. Listeners can also stream his show online and through various apps. Art Laboe, a radio DJ whose career ran for 79 years, died Friday at his Palm Springs home of pneumonia. Laboe also worked behind the scenes to promote concerts and produce records on his own label, Original Sound. 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. The stations playlists are almost identical; Ive flipped between stations and heard the same song (usually Disclosures Latch or Nicki Minajs Only). When Elvis Presley came to Hollywood, Laboe was one of the few to get an interview with the new rockabilly star. In came The Real 92.3, offering 10,000 joints in a row of "real hip . Laboe died at age 97 on Friday at his home in Palm Springs, following a bout with pneumonia, according to Joanna Morones of Laboe's production company. Art Laboe is honored with the first-ever Magic 92.5 Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes the broadcast veterans many achievements over his 75-year career. Art has been very cool and supportive of Dublab over the years, says McNeill. He's been facilitating these dedications for decades, says McNeill, and we thought it was fitting to now dedicate songs to him., Leave a dedication to Art Laboe at 323-412-0681. My dad was a party DJ and he was an aspiring on-air DJ," she said. Imagine succeeding someone who'd been at his job for 79 years. Radio Legend Art Laboe on Doing Business with Bob Hope, Hanging with Elvis and Today's Talk Talent (Q&A) On Nov. 10, the man who first played rock 'n' roll on a west coast station will be . It wouldnt hurt to follow the model of its ancestor, 92.3 The Beat, which featured Eazy-Es Ruthless Radio Hour.. The radio legend is credited with pioneering industry standards such as audience requests and song dedications, and he is believed to be the first DJ to play rock 'n roll tunes on Los Angeles radio. Legal Statement. A two-minute video recapping Art's life and accomplishments played over the arena's big screens, with images of Art Laboe from the 40s til today, alongside greats like Jerry Lee Lewis, Dick Clark and Little Richard.The crowd's eyes were fixated on the black and white images of . Dennis Romero is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital. Laboe attended high school in Los Angeles, then broke into the airwaves in San Francisco on radio station KSAN in September 1943. But by nature of her being Latina, there are new elements that have been introduced, she said. "Then Art comes out and they just melt. Listen to free internet radio, news, sports, music, and podcasts. As a DJ for KXLA in Los Angeles, Laboe bought station time and hosted live overnight music shows from drive-ins where he would meet underground rockabilly and R&B musicians. 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.. We were all sitting down kind of looking at each other, like, this is really special. 1," which stayed on the Billboard's Top 100 chart for 183 weeks. No one could deserve this recognition more.. Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images file. 93.5 KDAY - 93.5 KDAY HIP HOP BACK IN THE DAY. Download the free iHeartRadio app today and start listening to your favorite music, live & local radio stations, playlists, and podcasts!