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.". Reach her at eliana.perez@thedesertsun.com or on Twitter @ElianaPress. . He 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 and shocked an older generation still listening to Frank Sinatra and Big Band music. Discover thousands of live and local AM and FM radio stations near you and from cities all over the world. . 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. Laboe died Friday night after catching pneumonia . For on-air promo, the Burbank-based 92.3 recruited rappers to hurl subliminal shade at Power 106 as though it wasnt a matter of them wanting to kiss the ring of iHeartRadio, the corporate behemoth formerly known as Clear Channel. When folks call in to his radio show, he listens to them. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. His first Los Angeles station was KPOP, and he eventually played records on KRLA. By the mid-1950s, he was a staple on Los Angeles radio stations, broadcasting live from Scrivner's Drive-In in Hollywood. 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. I think he realized the real positive impact he was having on families who were separated through incarceration, says McNeill. ], Like us on Facebook at LAWeeklyMusic 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. He was one of the first DJs to play rock n roll and R&B on West Coast radio stations. It's really cool because she will share in common that same experience, you know, as a lot of the listeners.. The new 92.3 snatched away Power 106s venerable morning host, Big Boy. LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Memorial flowers will be placed Tuesday on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Star of 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." Laboe died at age 97 on Friday at his home in Palm Springs, following a . The Art Laboe Love Zone Monday-Thursday, 9:00pm-12mid Sundays, 6:00pm-12mid. 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.". I mean, the phones just went crazy with people calling in, saying they were sorry and they too felt like they lost somebody, because Art's voice was part of their lives., It felt like a void, really, Luna said. 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.. Laboe also was involved with music licensing for such films as Dirty Dancing, La Bamba, Lethal Weapon, Good Morning Vietnam (all released in 1987) and 1989s Born on the Fourth of July. Original Sound Entertainment also represented songs for film and TV licensing by such notables as the Beach Boys, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ritchie Valens, the Stylistics, the Everly Brothers, Little Richard, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and the Isley Brothers. Art Laboe, the pioneering radio DJ who read heartfelt song dedications to generations of loyal listeners and was credited with helping end segregation in . Even though youre still more apt to hear a Canadian artist than one from Compton on 92.3, Wynter says that local artists feature prominently in the stations goals. Legal Statement. Art Laboe, who recently marked 79 years on air, was a pioneering DJ widely credited with desegregating Southern California's airwaves, in addition to popularizing the phrase "oldies but goodies." Anthony Macias, a University of California, Riverside ethnic studies professor, said the music that Laboe played went with the dedications enhancing the messages. Even by the overheated standards of terrestrial radio, it felt forced. (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. 93.5 KDAY - 93.5 KDAY HIP HOP BACK IN THE DAY. Audience members would attend the shows in person to request songs and dedications. Its warned her to power down the station or face fines and other penalties. And this tough, hard-nosed guy burst into tears.. Through investigation, the FCC says they determined Nancy Graham was the operator. 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. It's still hard., From Laboe, Luna said she learned a strong work ethic, business savvy and ongoing passion for the job. Thats why we sought him out.. 2023 Variety Media, LLC. KOST 103.5 FM - Your Feel Good Station and Home of the Ellen K Morning Show. Take Laboe off the air and incur the wrath. "From there, my love for music really grew, because it's always been a part of me. 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. Gary Garay, who hosts the monthly Dublab show Mas Exitos con Ganas, grew up in Southern California's high desert and has been listening to Laboe for years. Oct 10, 2022. 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. A permanent display of Laboes contributions resides in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland. To have Luna at the helm of The Art Laboe Connection, Boudreaux said, points to the importance of having women's voices on air. Watch this informative interview led by LA newsman Tony Valdez and find out how he got his first job in radio, how his dedications started and when he started a drive in show in 1955, right as Elvis first records came out. [Update: Art Laboe is coming back to the Inland Empire . [Update: Art Laboe is coming back to the Inland Empire. With the rise of dance music, Power 106 has gone from where hip-hop lives to where hip-hop sublets. Laboe was born Arthur Egnoian in Salt Lake City to an Armenian American family. "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. Listen to top radio stations, music, news, podcasts, sports, talk, and comedy shows. As a listener, you want to identify with someone and you want to hear them get excited about things that you get excited about.". "In Art Laboe terms, it means give it your all." . Laboe, who hosted a show on Los Angeles radio station KDAY, died Friday of pneumonia, according to a statement on his Facebook page. The new station deserves time to find its own voice and tone, but it would be wise to dig deeper than Truffle Butter. Plenty of regional stars with mainstream potential are out there. California and Arizona inmates would send in their own dedications and ask Laboe for updates from family. Art Laboe, a radio DJ whose career ran for 79 years, died Friday at his Palm Springs home of pneumonia. "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. 10/10/2022 3:49 PM PT. Though the stations playlist has mostly not yet reflected it, Wynter envisions Real 92.3 as a more purist alternative. His show has been syndicated since 1991. Laboe was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2012. He moved to California, attended Stanford University and served in the Navy during World War II. Listen to top radio stations, news, music, sports, talk, and comedy. Joanna Morones, a spokesperson for Laboes production company, Dart Entertainment, confirmed his death to the Associated Press. Morones said the production company is preparing to sell new Laboe merchandise to keep his memory alive. iHeartMedia America's #1 Audio Company Reaching 9 out of 10 Americans every month. R Dub! 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. "We're so happy he's a part of the Magic 92.5 family and we were incredibly proud to present him with the station's very first Lifetime . These elements include Luna's ability to pronounce names, read dedications and talk to callers in Spanish, because she is bilingual. Imagine succeeding someone who'd been at his job for 79 years. 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. He doesn't rush them off the air. FOX REUNITE AT NEW YORK COMIC CON PANEL. Laboe died Friday at his home in Palm Springs, following a bout with pneumonia, according to Joanna Morones of Laboe's production company. But by nature of her being Latina, there are new elements that have been introduced, she said. His syndicated radio show, ``The Art Laboe Connection,'' still plays on stations in Los Angeles, Oxnard, Riverside and Palm Springs. 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. Art Laboe hosted an annual Art Laboe Valentine's Super Love Jam concert for his radio fans. Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images file. Local record hop show from Southern California. Later that year, Laboe returned to the Los Angeles airwaves on another station. The scene that Laboe helped cultivate in California became of the nations most diverse. UPDATE: Art Laboe has returned to the Inland Empire onOld School 104.7 FM. Website: oldschool1047.com. Both Garay and McNeill emphasize the dedications that serve as messages to people behind bars. Being Mexican American myself we were always at these huge family gatherings and like, big barbeques and different birthdays and celebrations. 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. Laboe started his radio career in San Francisco, where he changed his name to sound more American. Laboe's reliance on cohorts of sound instead of race led to a subtle revolution: It helped to desegregate venues that featured rock and its sonic brethren. iHeartRadio lets you access the world of music and radio in one simple platform. Only 36% of all radio DJs in the country are women.