Art Laboe
(born c.1925) is an American pioneering disc jockey, songwriter, record producer, and radio station owner who is generally credited with coining the term "Oldies But Goodies
.".
Through his "Original Sound Records" company, Laboe put together the first-ever record album to feature hit songs by various artists from more than one label. Titled "Oldies But Goodies," the album stayed on Billboard magazine's Top 100 LPs chart for over three years.
For decades, Laboe was at the heart of the West Coast music scene, and worked on such pioneering stations as KPOP, where he broadcast a live show from Scrivners' Drive-In in Los Angeles, and KRLA in the 1950s, 1960's, 1970's, all the way through to the present. The city of Los Angeles declared July 17, 1981 to be "Art Laboe Day" when he received a star on Hollywood Walk of Fame. Art Laboe memorabilia can be seen at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum's interactive Rock and Radio exhibit in Cleveland, Ohio.
Today, Art Laboe continues in music as an MC, promoter, and Internet disc jockey. His "Killer Oldies" show can be heard every Sunday night in select cities across the West Coast. In 2006, Laboe announced he would also do a nightly show (Monday through Friday) for select stations that already carried his Sunday Night show. Stations like KDES-FM in Palm Springs, KAJM FM, MEGA 104.3 in Phoenix, Arizona and KOGO in San Diego have already signed on with more expected to follow. He can now be heard on on KOKO94.com. Though Laboe resides in Los Angeles, his radio programs are now based out of Fresno, CA (KOKO-FM 94.3) Every Monday Thru Friday 7pm-Midnight he takes live requests and dedications.
Laboe's Sunday evening dedication show on Hot 92 Jamz has been rated #1 consistently across many demos for the past several years, and now hosts the 7PM to Midnight slot weeknights. In addition, Hot 92 Jamz’s #1 rated evening personality, Sean Andre, will now take on a split shift; hosting “At Work Requests and Dedications” Monday through Friday from Noon to 3PM, and the “Quiet Storm After Hours” show from Midnight to 3AM.
Laboe has successfully organized several charity benefits and concerts, and is also founder of the "Art Laboe Foundation." This organization has given annual scholarships to four East Los Angeles high schools and supports other charitable organizations such as the Wildlife Way Station and the American Humane Society. On January 30, 2009, Laboe was honored with Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters' "Diamond Circle Award," given to PPB members who have made an important contribution to the development of broadcasting during their 75+ years.
Laboe's popularity is notably high among Mexican Americans in his multiethnic appeal to gained his loyal fans of all races, including his live music stops in African American and Hispanic neighborhoods (i.e. the "live dance" incident in El Monte that brought white El Monte police officers to harassed Black and Chicano teen boys for only dancing with white girls) during the tumultous 1960s. Also Laboe is widely popular among baby boomers who grew up to his radio programs in California and Laboe includes 1980s & 90s soul or hip-hop to appeal to younger audiences the "Generation X" aged 25 to 40.
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