The station has a connection to Laboe, too. Because a lot of the times the party was over by Sunday night, I remember the hour or so drive back home, listening to Art Laboe on the radio, Silva-Torres said. Even by the overheated standards of terrestrial radio, it felt forced. It also streams online at oldschool1047.com. Out went old-school funk and R&B. A permanent display of Laboes contributions resides in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland. You have permission to edit this article. For example, songs like Little Anthony & the Imperials Im on the Outside (Looking In) and Wars Dont Let No One Get You Down spoke of perseverance and a desire to be accepted. Listen to Art Laboe on Jammin' 99.5. And don't miss Art Laboe's Sunday Special, Sundays, 6pm til midnight. 2023 Variety Media, LLC. Art Laboe, the pioneering radio DJ who read heartfelt song dedications to generations of loyal listeners and was credited with helping end segregation in . Cars jammed Sunset Boulevard where Laboe broadcast his show, and advertisers jumped to get a piece of the action. Discover how an iHeartRadio station can deliver connect your message with your audience, live and local, right where you live. All rights reserved. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Address: 242 East Airport Drive Suite 202 San Bernardino, CA 92408. 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. Though Laboe was Armenian American, his work was appreciated by people of a variety of backgrounds. Now, Dublab has opened up the format to include contributions from Laboe's audience at large. 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. Around 9 a.m. on a Friday in February, the radio station 92.3 FM abruptly switched formats. He was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2012. Find him online at passionweiss.com, follow him on Twitter and also check out his archives.]. But he started gracing the airwaves at age 13, when he started an amateur radio station from his bedroom. His second passion is travel: he's currently on a mission to see all 193 countries on the planet. The key is to appeal to my large Hispanic/black following and the general audience. It wouldnt hurt to follow the model of its ancestor, 92.3 The Beat, which featured Eazy-Es Ruthless Radio Hour.. So was my mom! 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.. Its a role Laboe said he felt honored to play. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Laboe's show focuses on unlocking listeners' memories, but he's helping people create them, too. His show has been syndicated since 1991. But he started gracing the airwaves at age 13, when he started an amateur radio station from his bedroom. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Download the iHeartRadio iOS app today and enjoy your favorite music, live & local radio stations, playlists, and podcasts! The famous disc jockey who's widely credited with . Dublab's Dedicated to Art Laboe project is a chance for fans to call, leave messages and send out songs with a kiss. He moved to California, attended Stanford University and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Also remembering Laboe on social media was Amoeba Music. His first broadcasts came from Scrivner's Drive-In theater in Hollywood. All your favorite music, podcasts, and radio stations available for free. He was born Arthur Egnoian to an American-Armenian family in Salt Lake City. More stimulating talk and news radio in Los Angeles and Orange County. While those with an Internet connection can tune in via stations like Fresno's KOKO 94.3, the absence Art Laboe Connection from the local, terrestrial market is still a loss felt far beyond the soul hits and disco jams that made evening traffic slightly more bearable. Kids dance to Bobby Darin's "Queen of th. The Art Laboe Connection does have to meet certain music criteria of our flagship station Hot 92.3. Though the stations playlist has mostly not yet reflected it, Wynter envisions Real 92.3 as a more purist alternative. Boudreaux said the station currently employs over 100 people. Both stations are managed by NIA Broadcasting. In Art Laboe terms, it means give it your all., As they grew familiar with each other, Luna said she and Laboe became close colleagues, and eventually friends. While the show records in the valley and is a recognized SoCal staple, it airs on 14 radio stations across California and Arizona. Everybody knew him at the grocery store. 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 . Morones said the production company is preparing to sell new Laboe merchandise to keep his memory alive. When Elvis Presley came to Hollywood, Laboe was one of the few to get an interview with the new rockabilly star. He moved to California, attended Stanford University and served in the Navy during World War II. She also became a radio co-host for the college's "Wired Live at 5" and "Rock-a-Holics.". Art Laboe, a pioneering US DJ credited with coining the phrase "oldies, but goodies", has died, aged 97. . They're also getting contributions from former locals who have since moved to various parts of the country. California and Arizona inmates would send in their own dedications and ask Laboe for updates from family. 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 Its a role Laboe said he felt honored to play. Joanna Morones, a spokesperson for Laboes production company, Dart Entertainment, confirmed his death to the Associated Press. Becky Lu was a natural fit. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The scene that Laboe helped cultivate in California became of the nations most diverse. 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. It's still hard., From Laboe, Luna said she learned a strong work ethic, business savvy and ongoing passion for the job. We were all sitting down kind of looking at each other, like, this is really special. Later that year, Laboe returned to the Los Angeles airwaves on another station. @laweeklymusic, West Coast Sound's Greatest Hits! Laboe moved his show to 93.5 KDAY after his iHeartRadio-owned home station, Hot 92.3, changed formats in 2015. Laboe put hits from disparate artists on one LP record, and the products sold well. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. iHeartMedia America's #1 Audio Company Reaching 9 out of 10 Americans every month. The shift disenchanted thousands of listeners. Listen online or download the iHeart App. We are sending our love, today, to the family of beloved SoCal radio host Art Laboe. Its been more than a dozen years since a local hip-hop station served as a legitimate talent incubator. "In Art Laboe terms, it means give it your all." . 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. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers. I got my own built-in research, Laboe said. "From there, my love for music really grew, because it's always been a part of me. Local record hop show from Southern California. Discover thousands of live and local AM and FM radio stations near you and from cities all over the world. Plus 100,000 AM/FM radio stations featuring music, news, and local sports talk. About R Dub! Laboe continued to host regular programming until just a few days before his death. She said she is eager to see where Old School Becky Lu takes the show. Laboe is credited with coining the phrase oldies, but goodies.. More stimulating talk and news radio in Los Angeles and Orange County. PALM SPRINGS, Calif. Art Laboe, the pioneering radio DJ credited with helping end segregation in Southern California, has died. R Dub! 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. 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 . He was 97. Art Laboe and host of the television show "American Bandstand" Dick Clark chat in 1960. His sister sent him his first radio when he was 8 years old. 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. She said plans for a memorial will be announced later. It's the first time in KCRW history, actually, where it's majority women and it feels like there's a bubble bursting.. Top Songs. People appreciate it, Luna said. "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. He was also among the first DJs to play music by both Black and white artists, and he built a major following among Latino communities across the region. 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. 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. His first Los Angeles station was KPOP, and he eventually played records on KRLA. The Art Laboe Love Zone Monday-Thursday, 9:00pm-12mid Sundays, 6:00pm-12mid. On Tuesday, flowers will be placed on Laboe's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 10/10/2022 3:49 PM PT. 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. He introduced Ricky Nelson to the radio airwaves. By 1956, Laboe had an afternoon show and became the citys top radio program. 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. Take Laboe off the air and incur the wrath. Audience members would attend the shows in person to request songs and dedications. "I see these really tough-looking guys in the crowd. 1, which stayed on the Billboards Top 100 chart for 183 weeks. Variety is a part of Penske Media Corporation. 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. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Anthony Macias, a University of California, Riverside ethnic studies professor, said the music that Laboe played went with the dedications enhancing the messages. February 15, 2023 at 8:55 am. LOS ANGELES -- Art Laboe, the pioneering radio DJ who read heartfelt song dedications to generations of . Oh my gosh, Luna gushed. 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. Former Associated Press reporter Russell Contreras contributed biographical material to this report. Regular listeners were already familiar with her as a co-host, and Morones said she trusted Laboe's expertise at spotting talent.. He produced his final episode last week, and it aired on Sunday, October 9. Roe. 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. Teen listeners soon identified Laboes voice with the fledgling rock n roll scene. Reach her at eliana.perez@thedesertsun.com or on Twitter @ElianaPress. 10:35 Tisto 10:35 2:17 AM. 0. We can say this is a local show, she added. My favorite place to be is behind that microphone, Laboe said at the time of the 79-year anniversary in September. 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. They set up a Google phone number that fans can call to record their messages between now and March 1. 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. The Best Live, Local Radio Stations. By 1956, Laboe had an afternoon show and became the citys top radio program. 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. 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. This story was updated on October 11, 2022 to correct that Laboe did not coin the phrase oldies, but goodies but popularized it. 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 . 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. Market data provided by Factset. He was also among the first DJs to play music by both Black and white artists, and he built a major following among Latino communities across the region. Email: marissa.garcia@pointbroadcastingllc.com. Home of Raiders Football and the legendary Art Laboe Connection every Sunday at 7pm. 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. Like a lot of folks in Southern California, the team at Dublab are big fans of Laboe. Right now, were starting off with records that people are familiar with, but we have to break local records over time.. 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! 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. On Location: February 24, 2023. . 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. Laboe is credited with helping end segregation in Southern California by organizing live shows at drive-ins that attracted crowds of all races. "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 . Art Laboe hosted an annual Art Laboe Valentine's Super Love Jam concert for his radio fans. With the rise of dance music, Power 106 has gone from where hip-hop lives to where hip-hop sublets. Art Laboe (August 7, 1925 - October 7, 2022) was an American disc jockey, songwriter.Art Laboe Family, Net Worth, Parents, Wife & Biography read all about him in this article.Laboe died of pneumonia on October 7, 2022, at the age of 97. (Michael Ochs Archives). The final show from Laboe, who is credited with coining the phrase "oldies but goodies," was broadcast Sunday. 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. 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. This is partially true. Art Laboe died Friday at the age of 97. When folks call in to his radio show, he listens to them. 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. Getty. [Update: Art Laboe is coming back to the Inland Empire . He was honorary president of the Elvis Presley Fan Club of Los Angeles and one of the few "disc jockeys . 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 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. After decades on air, Laboes legacy now includes a passing of the torch to Old School Becky Lu. This was a strong way of communication to reach incarcerated loved ones, says McNeil. 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. Oct 11, 2022. FOX REUNITE AT NEW YORK COMIC CON PANEL. Pop, Rock and Roll in Los Angeles 1956-1972. When Elvis Presley came to town in 1956 with manager Colonel Parker, their only interview granted was to Laboe. His final show was . (JC Olivera) In 1957, he started Original Sound Record Inc . Telephone: (877) 440-1047. Laboe also worked behind the scenes to promote concerts and produce records on his own label, Original Sound. By the mid-1950s, he was a staple on Los Angeles radio stations, broadcasting live from Scrivner's Drive-In in Hollywood. Becoming Riff Raff: How a White Suburban Kid Morphed Into Today's Most Enigmatic Rapper. Ive also heard them play old DJ Quik. Top 40 radio in the 70s, 80s and 90s was big and exciting. Both Garay and McNeill emphasize the dedications that serve as messages to people behind bars. WILLIAM SHATNER REFLECTS ON FALLOUT WITH 'STAR TREK' PAL LEONARD NIMOY, HISTORIC KISS WITH NICHELLE NICHOLS. Without Art Laboe, Im So Lonely I Could Cry, wrote essayist Adam Vine. There's only ONE Art Lebow, and he's only on Jammin' 99.5FM - Coachella Valley's Old School! Leave a dedication to Art Laboe at 323-412-0681. Laboe also didnt appear to judge listeners who asked for dedications for loved ones in prison, Alcaraz said. 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. 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. This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Taking over for Art Laboe was a natural fit for Old School Becky Lu. How the new iHeartRadio-operated station plans to differentiate itself from its direct competition, Emmis-owned Power 106, seems uncertain. 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.". 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.". It happened late last year after a bout of pneumonia. Pioneering disc jockey, songwriter and record producer Art Laboecoined the term, Oldies but goodies and taught many of us in LA that Sundays are for oldies.. or redistributed. Here is someone who gave a voice to the most humble of us all through music, Alcaraz said. She said plans for a memorial will be announced later. He wrote it on a little Post-It, she said. 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. iHeartRadio launches the "ValenTime Machine Playlist . ", "It was the first time he had heard his babys voice," Laboe said. 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 . Artist Radio gives you the power to create custom stations from your favorite songs, albums or musical artists. (Jay L. Clendenin), He often told a story about a woman who came by the studio so that her toddler could tell her father, who was serving time for a violent crime, "Daddy, I love you. 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. With more than 860 live broadcast stations in 153 markets across America, there's a local iHeartRadio station virtually everywhere. 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Listen to top radio stations, music, news, podcasts, sports, talk, and comedy shows. 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. 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%). California and Arizona inmates would send in their own dedications and ask Laboe for updates from family. Morones said the show "didn't put up a flagpole" to announce Luna's transition to sole host to make it smoother. "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. Fox News Flash top entertainment headlines of Oct. 10, Prince Harry addresses 'Spare' backlash in interview: 'I have never looked for sympathy in this', Shania Twain was 'uncontrollably fragile' from ex Mutt Lange's affair with friend: 'How could I be so stupid', Olivia Newton-John's daughter Chloe reveals 'promise' she made to mother before her death, Emma Stones 'And' co-star Willem Dafoe had her slap him 20 times to get scene right, Prince Harry's 'attacks' on 'villain' Camilla led to Frogmore Cottage eviction: expert, Film industry reacts to death of 'Saving Private Ryan' star Tom Sizemore: 'You're a legend'. 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. Laboe is said to have landed the first radio interview with Elvis Presley during his first trip to Hollywood. The story also said Dick Hugg better known by listeners as "Huggy Boy" began hosting a call-in . Morones said Laboe was aware his audience would welcome "a female voice" and someone who spoke Spanish before inviting Luna to co-host. (Michael Ochs Archives). 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.