Radio DJ Art Laboe, who is credited with coining the phrase “oldies but goodies” as well as helping end segregation in Southern California, has died. He was 97.
A statement announcing the DJ’s death has been 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. He also used his platform to highlight stories of incarcerated loved ones, letting their relatives send messages and updates across the airwaves. Those incarcerated in California and Arizona also sent dedications and relied upon Laboe for updates from family members.
Laboe also chose songs to go along with these messages like “I’m on the Outside (Looking In)” by Little Anthony & the Imperials and “Don’t Let No One Get You Down” by War, according to 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.