Iconic DJ Art Laboe dies at 97; 'The Art Laboe Connection' show was enjoyed by thousands

Art Laboe, known for his radio presence and for coining the phrase "oldies but goodies", has died, The Associated Press reports.

A spokesperson from Dart Entertainment, Laboe's production company confirmed that Laboe died on Oct. 7 in his home in Palm Springs, Calif. He was 97.

Laboe was on the air for nearly 80 years.

Who is Art Laboe?

Art Egnoian was born in Salt Lake City on Aug. 7, 1925, to an Armenian-American family. He grew up during the Great Depression raised by a single mom. His first radio was gifted to him by his sister when he was 8 years old.

He went to Stanford University and joined the Navy during World War II where he would land his first job at a station in San Francisco in 1943. He would play songs by Black, Latine/x, and white artists during a time of segregation in the music industry.

The name "Laboe" came after a general manager had suggested the name because it was catchier.

During his time at KSAN, he developed the now widely adopted call-in request format. He would then bounce around stations, landing at his long-term home at Los Angeles' KXLA.

Art Laboe's impact on multiple generations

At KXLA, Laboe rose in radio popularity connecting with the teenagers of the 1950s and their love for rock 'n' roll. He hosted drive-in shows live on the streets of Los Angeles which drew in crowds of youth of all racial and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Laboe would relocate his shows to El Monte Legion Stadium to avoid laws aimed at enforcing racial segregation.

Over time Laboe continued to have a strong following making a multigenerational audience of oldies lovers. For Chicane/x fans across the southwest he remained an outlet to connect with each other and share love for aging rock-and-roll acts.

His call-in format became an avenue for them to dedicate their love for their significant others, their families, to let incarcerated people remain connected with their loved ones.

In an interview with The Associated Press he recalled one of those dedications made by a woman and a toddler. They went into Laboe's studio for the little kid to say "Daddy, I love you."

“It was the first time he had heard his baby’s voice,” Laboe said in 2019. “And this tough, hard-nosed guy burst into tears.”

Laboe's show was dropped from iHeartMedia's KHHT 92.3 station in Los Angeles which sparked outcry. He would get picked up by Palm Spring's KDAY 93.5 in 2015.

His worked continued to be syndicated across the Southwest.

Remembering Art Laboe

Radio stations across the country are paying homage to the legendary DJ. Here in the valley, radio station MEGA 104.3 will be doing a tribute all day on Oct. 16th. Fans of Art Laboe have been sharing their memories and admiration for the man.

Musical artists have also sent in their respects for Laboe, including local legends like MC Magic who worked with Laboe.

His presence was widely felt by the community in Phoenix and has had even a hand in uplifting local talent to the national level.

His live shows like the Valentine Super Love Jam would bring crowds of fans. His last one hosted at the Footprint Center featured artists like The SOS Band, Evelyne "Champagne" King, "The Jets" and other notable artists.

More: 'Funky Broadway': How 1 night at a Phoenix Elks Club changed the history of funk

Laboe continued to host his regular programming until his death. He made his final episode last week which aired on Oct. 9.

Have a question you need answered? Reach the reporter at rromeroruiz@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @raphaeldelag.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Remembering Art Laboe, the influential radio DJ