L.A.’s radio community pays tribute to Art Laboe, a legend and mentor: ‘End of an era’

Los Angeles’ music and radio communities are mourning the lack of prolific “Oldies however Goodies” disc jockey Artwork Laboe, who died on Friday.

The Instagram web page for his syndicated present, “The Artwork Laboe Connection,” introduced that the radio legend died at his dwelling in Palm Springsat age 97 after battling pneumonia.

“Artwork Laboe’s legacy will endure as his workforce will proceed to provide his present nightly request and dedication syndicated radio present, The Artwork Laboe Connection,” the Instagram submit mentioned.

Laboe, whose voice stuffed Southern California’s airwaves for greater than 70 years, was identified for being the primary to play rock ‘n’ roll on the West Coast and creating the compilation album “Oldies However Goodies.” He grew to become a beloved determine for generations of followers, notably for Latinos, for his call-in dedication present, which aired first on HOT 92.3 FM after which on KDAY-FM (93.5).

A memorial for the Los Angeles radio vet shall be introduced later, however figures from L.A.’s native radio stations are already paying tribute on-line.

“RIP to the one and solely #ArtLaboe,” tweeted KCRW DJ Candace Silva-Torres. “The tip of an period. Staying up late, listening to these dedications.”

“Artwork Laboe was probably the greatest DJs and it was a stupendous Sunday custom to take heed to his love songs radio present,” tweeted KCRW host Tyler Boudreaux.

Anthony Valadez, who co-hosts KCRW’s “Morning Turns into Eclectic,” tweeted a photo of Laboe, noting that “nobody might ever do shout-outs like this O.G.”

KDAY bid farewell to Laboe, calling him “our longtime member of the family.”

“Thanks for all the various years and superb occasions you spent with us right here at 93.5 KDAY!,” the station tweeted.

Romeo Mastin, who co-hosts KDAY’s “Morning Present,” paid tribute to Laboe, his “longtime Buddy and Mentor,” with a video on Instagram. Within the clip, Mastin and Laboe are seen backstage, exchanging radio tales and laughs.

“I Thank You for believing in me, encouraging me and permitting me to be part of your Wonderful Journey,” Mastin wrote in his caption. “We’ve shared so many tales through the years and you’d at all times inform me that ‘I’ve that THING’ That may deliver Pleasure to others and to by no means cease smiling.

“I do know that you’re smiling from Heaven as a result of this Metropolis, the World and everybody that tunes into the @artlaboeconnection LOVES YOU!!! and I’ll be sure that to do my half to proceed your Legacy,” Mastin added.

Hip-hop station Energy 106 additionally remembered Laboe on Twitter, noting that “his staple Sunday night time present on our sister station @935kday received’t be the identical.”

Additionally remembering Laboe on social media was Amoeba Music. On Twitter, the favored music retailer shared a photograph of one in all Laboe’s “Devoted to You” CDs.

“Relaxation In Peace Artwork Laboe,” said the store’s tweet. “The broadcasting legend, king of dedications, and longtime host of ‘Oldies however Goodies’ has died at age 97.”

Instances employees author Esmeralda Bermudez contributed to this report.