He’s survived Hunter Hancock, Huggy Boy and all the other LA DJs and has built a continued following in not only Los Angeles but the entire southwest, largely with the Mexican American population; many of grown up with Art – not to mention their folks. He’s stayed up with the times, including later music but stays true to the origins, the fellas that were on his Oldies But Goodies albums, many for whom Laboe gave their start… Nice to see this kind of loyallty today in a world where radio personalities don’t last very long. But, more importantly, it’s wonderful to see someone like Laboe who has worked hard and still enjoying his work 6 days a week. Age is only a number but few can or have done what Art has done. Check out his sunday night show.. Just search ‘Sunday Night oldies or ‘Art Loboe.com’ and you’ll find him! We all know by now that it was Art who coined the term ‘Oldies But Goodies’ and still sells the iconic albums bearing the name – all 21(?) volumes
A fixture in radio for more than seven decades, Art Laboe started his radio career in 1943 at KSAN/San Francisco. In 1949, he began his lengthy association with Los Angeles radio, hosting an all-night record show from Scrivner’s Drive-In on KXLA (later KRLA).
After a stint at KFWB interviewing celebrities at Ciro’s Restaurant, Laboe returned to Scrivner’s in 1955 for a top-rated afternoon record show on KPOP. Here, he coined the phrase “Oldies But Goodies,” the inspiration for his series of top-selling compilation albums.
In 1972, Laboe joined KRTH/Los Angeles as it became the first full-time “oldies” station. Four years later, he returned to KRLA as a part-owner, on-air personality and program director. Between 1976 and 1981, Laboe led the station from 49th to first place in the ratings and was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
After working at KFI and KRLA during the 1980s, Laboe moved to KGGI in 1991 with Art Laboe’s Sunday Special at KGGI, which is syndicated throughout the western United States. Laboe also hosts The Art Laboe Connection, a nightly request show on KHHT that is heard nationwide on iHeart Radio.
Laboe is a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve due to his work with the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.
Art Laboe was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2012.
