Art Laboe: Celebs Rumors

Art Laboe, the pioneering DJ credited with helping end segregation in Southern California, has died. He was 97. Joanna Morones, a spokesperson for Laboe’s production company, Dart Entertainment, confirmed his death to the Associated Press.

Art Laboe, a revered Los Angeles radio mainstay for more than half a century who delighted local fans and a syndicated audience by playing those “oldies but goodies,” has died. He was 97.

posted to his official account, reporting that the music veteran died Friday night at his home in Palm Springs after catching pneumonia.“Condolences to Art’s legions of fans, family, friends, and colleagues,” the post reads.“ September 2022, marked 79 years as a radio performer marking the longest continuous period of broadcasting service.”The AP 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 continued.In 1957, Laboe started Original Sound Record, Inc., and in 1958 he released “Oldies But Goodies Vol. 1,” a compilation album that remained on Billboard’s Top 100 chart for 183 weeks.His hosting of the syndicated “The Art Laboe Connection Show” attracted a strong Mexican-American following.

Cynthia Littleton Business Editor 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 the founder of the Original Sound record label and the host of the long-running “Art Laboe Connection” syndicated radio program. He was one of the first DJs to play rock ‘n’ roll and R&B on West Coast radio stations. Just last month, Laboe, who was born celebrated his 79-year anniversary as a radio personality. “My favorite place to be is behind that microphone,” Laboe said at the 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! Thank you to our dedicated fans that have listened through the decades and made ‘The Art Laboe Connection’ a family tradition,” he said.