Art Laboe - real name Arthur Egnoian, who shortened his name for something "catchier" and "more American" - the beloved California radio DJ, has died from pneumonia at age 97.
Laboe, who coined the phrase "oldies but goodies", started the label Original Sound Record, Inc. in 1957 and used his signature term, which he trademarked for the 1958 compilation album he released, Oldies But Goodies: Vol 1, which remained on the Billboard Top 100 Chart for over 183 weeks.
Laboe was one of the first California DJs to play rock'n'roll and R&B music. By 1956, his baritone voice was so identifiable that his show became the city's top radio program. When Elvis Presley stopped in Hollywood, Laboe was among the few to score an exclusive interview.
As well as his popular radio shows, Laboe was credited with helping end segregation in California by organising radio shows across the state in drive-ins that attracted white, Black, and Latino residents to listen and contribute to the broadcast.
He was one of the first DJs to allow people of any race to make requests on his radio show. Alex Nogales, President and CEO of the Los Angeles-based National Hispanic Media Coalition, said that thanks to Laboe's sponsored concerts, generations of Latino fans got to attend and watch the likes of Smokey Robinson, The Spinners or Sunny & The Sunliners.
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His brand of talkback radio grew in popularity among incarcerated populations. People with family members imprisoned in California and Arizona sent their dedications to their loved ones to Laboe, who said he was "honoured" to share their messages via his role as a radio DJ.
"I don't judge," Laboe shared in a 2018 interview with the Associated Press. "I like people."
Because of his willingness and honour to unite families affected by incarceration, Laboe heard many stories that touched him. He recalled a woman who came to the studio so her toddler daughter could say, "Daddy, I love you," on air. "It was the first time he had heard his baby's voice," Laboe said. "And this tough, hard-nosed guy burst into tears."
Born to an Armenian American family, Laboe grew up during the Great Depression in a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints household and was raised by his single mother. When he was eight years old, his sister sent him his first radio. He was overwhelmed by the music and stories that the radio broadcasted to him. "And I haven't let go since," Laboe said.
The Art Laboe Connection, his current nightly request and dedication syndicated radio show, will continue on 93.5 KDAY/Los Angeles Sundays from 6 pm-midnight and weeknights from 9 pm-midnight on KOCP/Oxnard, KQIE/Riverside-San Bernardino, KMRJ/Palm Springs, and many stations throughout the Southwest.
