Joanna Morones, who went to work for Laboe as his executive assistant in 1995 . Former Associated Press reporter Russell Contreras contributed biographical material to this report. 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. Though Laboe was Armenian American, his work was appreciated by people of a variety of backgrounds. By the mid-1950s, he was a staple on Los Angeles radio stations, broadcasting live from Scrivner's Drive-In in Hollywood. It also streams online at oldschool1047.com. WiLD 94.9 Music. Joanna Morones, a spokesperson for Laboes production company, Dart Entertainment, confirmed his death to the Associated Press. He produced his final episode last week, and it aired on Sunday, October 9. Also, listen to Gary Garay's tribute to Art Laboe's "Original Sound" label on Dublab. "Then Art comes out and they just melt. 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 . Without Art Laboe, Im So Lonely I Could Cry, wrote essayist Adam Vine. Then Art comes out and they just melt. Join Art as he takes your requests, Live, Monday through Friday. Tune in to 93.5 KDAY for "The Art Laboe Connection Show". 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. Only 36% of all radio DJs in the country are women. Being Mexican American myself we were always at these huge family gatherings and like, big barbeques and different birthdays and celebrations. The Art Laboe Connection. McNeill noticed that not all of the callers are current L.A. residents. 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. Audience members would attend the shows in person to request songs and dedications. Discover thousands of live and local AM and FM radio stations near you and from cities all over the world. He was one of the first DJs to play rock n roll and R&B on West Coast radio stations. 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. Find him online at passionweiss.com, follow him on Twitter and also check out his archives.]. 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. He moved to California to attend Stanford University before he served in the Navy during World War II. He moved to California, attended Stanford University and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Top 20 Golden Age Hip-Hop Albums iHeart. Dennis Romero is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital. She added that all the love and condolences coming in from the listeners and the artists and the people that knew him was also comforting. Right now, this veteran of the airwaves is getting support from the web-streaming DJs who were influenced by him. We are sending our love, today, to the family of beloved SoCal radio host Art Laboe. That's the . "From there, my love for music really grew, because it's always been a part of me. Enter to win a four-pack of tickets to Six Flags Magic Mountain! She said she is eager to see where Old School Becky Lu takes the show. 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. "Bongo Rock" was remade by the Incredible Bongo Band, which made its own history with a similar track in 1973, "Apache," believed by many to be the origin song of hip-hop. . 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. In doing The Art Laboe Connection on her own, Luna said she is not trying to reinvent or change it. Listen to Art Laboe on Jammin' 99.5. What turned out to be his final broadcast aired Sunday night, after being recorded last week. The Envelope Please The team at Magic 92.5 have been working on Laboe's award presentation since last year. Even by the overheated standards of terrestrial radio, it felt forced. UPDATE: Art Laboe has returned to the Inland Empire onOld School 104.7 FM. 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. 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.''. So far, the response has been interesting. Candace Silva-Torres, a producer and DJ for KCRW in Los Angeles known as DJ SiLVA, relates. He doesn't rush them off the air. Roe. Some listeners simply treasure memories with music. Laboe is said to have landed the first radio interview with Elvis Presley during his first trip to Hollywood. Later, she'll sit behind the mic in the chair where Laboe once sat, and read song dedications from people of all walks of life. 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. (JC Olivera) In 1957, he started Original Sound Record Inc . 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 the show records in the valley and is a recognized SoCal staple, it airs on 14 radio stations across California and Arizona. Website: oldschool1047.com. Art Laboe memorabilia can be seen at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum's interactive Rock and Radio exhibit in Cleveland, Ohio. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. We want to exude L.A., Wynter says. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER. Listen to Art Laboe on Jammin' 99.5. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. "We want to hear from people that are like us. He was 97. Cars jammed Sunset Boulevard where Laboe broadcast his show, and advertisers jumped to get a piece of the action. We can say this is a local show, she added. Silence falls over the studio when Luna is asked about Laboe's death. Like us on Facebook at LAWeeklyMusic 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. Stream Art Laboe free online. Laboe attended high school in Los Angeles, then broke into the airwaves in San Francisco on radio station KSAN in September 1943. 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. WILLIAM SHATNER REFLECTS ON FALLOUT WITH 'STAR TREK' PAL LEONARD NIMOY, HISTORIC KISS WITH NICHELLE NICHOLS. Laboe also worked behind the scenes to promote concerts and produce records on his own label, Original Sound. Everybody knew him at the grocery store. In 2015, iHeartMedias KHHT-FM (92.3) dropped Laboes syndicated oldies show after the station abruptly switched to a hip-hop format, sparking angry protests in Los Angeles. Top Songs. "Without Art Laboe, I'm So Lonely I Could Cry," wrote essayist Adam Vine. He was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2012. 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. Art Laboe, the pioneering radio DJ who read heartfelt song dedications to generations of loyal listeners and was credited with helping end segregation in . Laboe soon became one of the first DJs to play R&B and rock n roll in California, which helped him identify with teen listeners. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. In came The Real 92.3, offering 10,000 joints in a row of "real hip . Both Garay and McNeill emphasize the dedications that serve as messages to people behind bars. 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." ``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. In 1957, he started Original Sound Record Inc., and in 1958 he released the compilation album "Oldies But Goodies: Vol. Later that year, Laboe returned to the Los Angeles airwaves on another station. 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. ", "It was the first time he had heard his babys voice," Laboe said. There's only ONE Art Lebow, and he's only on Jammin' 99.5FM - Coachella Valley's Old School! Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. These elements include Luna's ability to pronounce names, read dedications and talk to callers in Spanish, because she is bilingual. He started the show when he was just 16 years old. Mark Frosty McNeill, who co-founded the L.A.-based Internet radio station more than 15 years ago, surmises that Laboe is the common, influential link between both Dublab's roster of DJs and many of the locals who tune into their broadcasts. 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. 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. Art Laboe hosted an annual Art Laboe Valentine's Super Love Jam concert for his radio fans. It was on the radio like 2 weeks ago and I can't find it anywhere, please. LOS ANGELES . 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 Telephone: (877) 440-1047. If you care about Nas, Biggie and 2Pac, as well as todays hip-hop and R&B, youll want to spend time here, Wynter says. The shift disenchanted thousands of listeners. Get the latest music and trending news, from your favorite artists and bands. Born Arthur Egnoian in Salt Lake City to a Mormon Armenian-American family, Laboe grew up during the Great Depression in a household run by a single mom. Around 9 a.m. on a Friday in February, the radio station 92.3 FM abruptly switched formats. Long before "Now That's What I Call Music!" Discover thousands of live and local AM and FM radio stations near you and from cities all over the world. To have Luna at the helm of The Art Laboe Connection, Boudreaux said, points to the importance of having women's voices on air. Local record hop show from Southern California. Listen to free internet radio, news, sports, music, and podcasts. Now, Dublab has opened up the format to include contributions from Laboe's audience at large. When folks call in to his radio show, he listens to them. In 1981, the Los Angeles City Council declared July 17 Art Laboe Day. I have one of the best jobs in the world, playing the music, interacting with our listeners, doing their dedications and connecting them with their loved ones! People appreciate it, Luna said. Laboe made his radio debut in 1943, during World War II, on KSAN in . 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. Add this radio's widget to your website. (COVID) created a little bit of a distance, because we didn't see him every day. He was 97. Plus 100,000 AM/FM radio stations featuring music, news, and local sports talk. 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. Those stick even after fans leave town. It's really cool because she will share in common that same experience, you know, as a lot of the listeners.. When Elvis Presley came to Hollywood, Laboe was one of the few to get an interview with the new rockabilly star. Out went old-school funk and R&B. After serving in the Navy during World War II and working in the Bay area, he moved to Los Angeles KXLA-AM in 1950 (the station later became KRLA), according to a Laboe history written by author Harvey Kubernik. "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. (AP Photo/Russell Contreras, File), Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Listen to thousands of live radio stations or create your own artist stations and playlists. This story was updated on October 11, 2022 to correct that Laboe did not coin the phrase oldies, but goodies but popularized it. My favorite place to be is behind that microphone, Laboe said at the time of the 79-year anniversary in September. Laboe is credited with helping end segregation in Southern California by organizing live shows at drive-ins that attracted crowds of all races. 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. Also, listen to Gary Garay's tribute to Art Laboe's Original Sound label on Dublab. "Rest In Peace Art . Laboe, born Arthur Egnoian in 1925, got into radio before they called announcers DJs. He doesn't rush them off the air. 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. "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 . Smothers filled the daypart most recently occupied by Bubba The Love Sponge, who is now on sports sister WHBO (1040). All rights reserved. The broadcaster continued to produce and present radio shows right up . The Art Laboe Day ceremony will take place at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Union Walk, 11127 Ramona Blvd., a new 62-unit townhouse development built on part of the site of the former Legion Stadium. iHeartRadio lets you access the world of music and radio in one simple platform. Oct 10, 2022. Regular listeners were already familiar with her as a co-host, and Morones said she trusted Laboe's expertise at spotting talent.. She also became a radio co-host for the college's "Wired Live at 5" and "Rock-a-Holics.". Laboe's shows broadcast on a handful of stations in California, Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico. 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 . Anthony Macias, a University of California, Riverside ethnic studies professor, said the music that Laboe played went with the dedications enhancing the messages. 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. Listen to top radio stations, news, music, sports, talk, and comedy. Art Laboe and host of the television show "American Bandstand" Dick Clark chat in 1960. Audience members would attend the shows in person to request songs and dedications. Yes, Scream VI Marketing Is Behind the Creepy Ghostface Sightings Causing Scares Across the U.S. David Oyelowo, Taylor Sheridan's 'Bass Reeves' Series at Paramount+ Casts King Richard Star Demi Singleton (EXCLUSIVE), Star Trek: Discovery to End With Season 5, Paramount+ Pushes Premiere to 2024. The scene that Laboe helped cultivate in California became of the nations most diverse. Stream live CNN, FOX News Radio, and MSNBC. It's still hard., From Laboe, Luna said she learned a strong work ethic, business savvy and ongoing passion for the job. Market data provided by Factset. 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. 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.". On Tuesday, flowers will be placed on Laboe's Walk of Fame star at 6800 Hollywood Blvd. 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 protest in Los Angeles. 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. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Now it's Laboe's turn to be on the receiving end of the dedications. The voices and stories that came from it enveloped him. KXEW Radio Tejano 1600 AM: Sunday 6 p.m. to midnight, also heard nationwide on iHeartRadio. He's been credited with helping end segregation in Southern California by organizing live DJ shows at drive-in eateries, which invited white, Black and Latino people to dance to rock-n-roll during the '50s, when the older generation was mostly listening to Frank Sinatra and Big Band music. His show has been syndicated since 1991. And this tough, hard-nosed guy burst into tears.. LOS ANGELES -- Art Laboe, the pioneering radio DJ who read heartfelt song dedications to generations of . He was 97. 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. Getty. His label later found success, in 1959, with the hits "Bongo Rock" by Preston Epps and "Teen Beat"by Sandy Nelson. Variety is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Art Laboe and host of the television show "American Bandstand" Dick Clark chat in 1960. . 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. Laboe put hits from disparate artists on one LP record, and the products sold well. KTLA Los Angeles. 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. 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His syndicated radio show, ``The Art Laboe Connection,'' still plays on stations in Los Angeles, Oxnard, Riverside and Palm Springs. She is the audience.. 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. In his later years, Laboe was dedicated to philanthropic work through his Art Laboe Foundation, which focuses on helping the underprivileged, animal charities and providing scholarship funds for high school students. Plus, online streams allow folks from across the globe to tune in to the show. Feb. 11, 2015. Thats more than I can say of Power 106, which has banished classic rap almost entirely to its throwback hour. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Luna, 43, began working with Laboe in 2016, when she was hired as a call screener for The Art Laboe Connection at the recording studio on Desert Park Avenue in Palm Springs. But he started gracing the airwaves at age 13, when he started an amateur radio station from his bedroom. The final show from Laboe, who is credited with coining the phrase "oldies but goodies," was broadcast Sunday. [Update: Art Laboe is coming back to the Inland Empire . Pirate radio may be most common on the East Coast, but the problem isnt isolated there. 2,993 talking about this. He later moved to California to attend Stanford. Its warned her to power down the station or face fines and other penalties. Our Radio App allows you to listen to top radio stations, news, sports, music, talk and comedy. 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. They also both loved oldies, but for Laboe, that was the 50s and 60s eras while for Luna, it's the sounds of the 70s and 80s. No one could deserve this recognition more.. Initially, in 2006, the show was broadcasted out of Los Angeles, but according to Morones, Laboe grew tired of LA and began working more out of the Coachella Valley studio in 2013. The rules are clear. 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 . 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.. Art Laboe's been credited as the first on-air personality to play Rock n' Roll on the West Coast and is one of the . 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. Laboe had to think of creative ways to just get paid, says Kelly, the radio veteran. Imagine succeeding someone who'd been at his job for 79 years. It happened late last year after a bout of pneumonia. 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. LOS ANGELES, June 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- 93.5 KDAY-FM radio, SoCal's home of original hip-hop and R&B and the leading media brand under Meruelo Media, proudly welcomes and announces LA's Iconic . The FCC has released a warning it sent to the alleged operator of a pirate station operating at 101.3 FM in Santa Cruz, CA. Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. 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. The key is to appeal to my large Hispanic/black following and the general audience. The station has a connection to Laboe, too. Art was the first Disc Jockey to play Rock and Roll on the West Coast airwaves, one of the first DJs to play both black and white artists and the first DJ to have an "Elvis Hour," the . 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. The next song played wont be shark repellent; its going to be consistent with your expectations.. The Art Laboe Love Zone Monday-Thursday, 9:00pm-12mid Sundays, 6:00pm-12mid. How the new iHeartRadio-operated station plans to differentiate itself from its direct competition, Emmis-owned Power 106, seems uncertain. Art Laboe, a radio DJ whose career ran for 79 years, died Friday at his Palm Springs home of pneumonia. 10:35 Tisto 10:35 2:17 AM. "And I havent let go since," Laboe said. 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 . 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. 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. All your favorite music, podcasts, and radio stations available for free. He later began hosting wildly popular dance shows in El Monte. Broadcast Monitoring by ACRCloud. Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images file. News Bites: Art Laboe, ValenTime Machine Playlist, Dick Smothers. Laboe was presented with the honor by R Dub, XETRA Communicaciones rhythmic AC Magic 925 XHRM San Diego director of programming. 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. One of the sayings he had for himself was 'Don't walk through it.' I don't think people understand how significant it is as far as communication goes, says Garay. Art Laboe has made legendary impactful news over the airwaves in L.A. and is a part of history in the radio and entertainment industry. He later developed a strong following among Mexican Americans for hosting the syndicated The Art Laboe Connection Show. His baritone voice invited listeners to call in dedications and request a 50s-era rock n roll love ballad or a rhythm and blues tune from Alicia Keys. (Michael Ochs Archives). at 11 a.m. Like a lot of folks in Southern California, the team at Dublab are big fans of Laboe. After World War II, Laboe returned to Southern California, but a radio station owner told the aspiring radio announcer he should work on becoming a "radio personality" instead. However, it dawned on her during a DJ meeting at her station that consisted of solely women. February 15, 2023 at 8:55 am. 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. Art had talked about (adding) someone young, with a vivacious personality, she said. Meanwhile, Luna is a lifetime valley native. You have permission to edit this article. Thats why we sought him out.. Listen online or download the iHeart App. "I see these really tough-looking guys in the crowd. He moved to California, attended Stanford University and served in the Navy during World War II. Morones said the show "didn't put up a flagpole" to announce Luna's transition to sole host to make it smoother. Art Laboe and rock n roll musician Chuck Berry pose for a portrait in circa 1975.