Radio DJ Art Laboe is the one who coined the phrase “oldies but goodies”He was 97. He was 97.
A statement announcing the DJ’s death has been PostAccording to his official account, the music legend died in Palm Springs on Friday evening after contracting pneumonia.
“Condolences to Art’s legions of fans, family, friends, and colleagues,”The post is as follows.“ September 2022, marked 79 years as a radio performer marking the longest continuous period of broadcasting service.”
The AP This describes Laboe’s efforts at aiding the end to segregation through organizing live DJ shows at drive-in venues attended by Black, Latino and white listeners who danced to rock-n-roll.
“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, which is heard on 93.5 KDAY/Los Angeles Sundays from 6pm-midnight, and weeknights from 9pm-midnight on KOCP/Oxnard, KQIE/Riverside-San Bernardino, KMRJ/Palm Springs, and many stations throughout the Southwest,”The statement went on.
Laboe, in 1957, founded Original Sound Record, Inc., which he released in 1958. “Oldies But Goodies Vol. 1,” a compilation album that remained on Billboard’s Top 100 chart for 183 weeks.
He hosted the syndicated “The Art Laboe Connection Show”He attracted a large Mexican-American audience. He used his platform to tell stories of loved ones incarcerated, and allowed their families to send updates and messages over the airwaves. Arizona and California prisoners also sent dedications, and Laboe was able to relay updates from loved ones.
Laboe also selected songs to accompany these messages, such as “I’m on the Outside (Looking In)” by Little Anthony & the Imperials and “Don’t Let No One Get You Down”War. CBS.
His baritone voice became associated with the growth of rock-n-roll music, especially by 1965 when his afternoon radio show became LA’s top program.
Laboe’s final show was produced last week and broadcast Sunday night, according to The AP.