- Art Laboe was an Armenian-American disc jockey (DJ), songwriter, record producer, and radio personality who died on October 7, 2022, at the age of 97
- He was divorced twice and had 2 sons who have considerably stayed out of the spotlight
- He became notable for being one of the first DJs to allow people of different races to call his show and make a request
Arthur Egnoian was famous as Art Laboe. He led a life of fame through his works as a renowned DJ, a high-profile radio presenter, an accomplished songwriter, and a well-established producer and owner of a record label. While his career life lasted from 1943 to 2022, his private life has been kept private but he was said to be married and divorced twice and also has 2 sons.
Whatever the case, he made a mark that will always be remembered in the public space through several radio stations such as KPOP, KXLA, KOKO-FM, and KDAY. He died on October 7, 2022, after suffering from pneumonia.
What to Know About the Wife and Children of the Media Sensation
There are no in-depth details about the marital life of the radio sensation. Yet, there are reports that he may have been married twice but divorced both women after some time.
Despite the sketchy details about his love life, many reports claim that he was unmarried at the time of his death and had 2 sons from previous relationships.
Other Interesting Facts About Art Laboe
He Was Born and Raised in a Family of Mormons
Arthur Egnoian was born on August 7, 1925, in Salt Lake City in Utah.
His parents were immigrants from Armenia and were practicing Mormons.
The family lived a quiet life in Utah before moving to Los Angeles where the presenter and entrepreneur lived part of his life there.
Art Laboe Served in the US Navy Before His Radio Career Kicked Off
Following his graduation from Washington High School at the age of 16, the DJ served in the US Navy and went to the Naval Station Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay.
He later moved to join Los Angeles City College and Stanford University where he studied radio engineering.
His love for radio started when he was a little boy in Salt Lake City. His sister further helped him develop his radio love when she bought him a radio for his 8th birthday.
In 1943 when he was 18, Art started a professional radio career with KSAN and later left the radio to assist the US military in transmitting Morse Code, sending messages to ships traveling in the South Pacific.
How He Made History of Becoming the First DJ to Take Song Requests and Send Them to Listeners
Laboe is believed to be the first DJ to take requests from people and send them to others.
The show became one of the most popular at KSAN where he began working during WWII.
While there are many reports on how he positively impacted the lives of many people who participated in the request shows, one that has been told time and again is how inmates and their families would sometimes request and send their love messages through his show.
More to the stories of his works, he has been praised for breaking boundaries that race may have brought by ending segregation in Southern California through his live DJ shows.
He attracted white, blacks, and Latinos. He also had a strong following of Mexican Americans through his “The Art Laboe Connection Show.”
July 17 Has Been Declared His Day in Los Angeles
The man who coined “Oldies, but Goodies” became a highly celebrated phenomenon and has achieved numerous feeds, including having 17 July set aside for celebrating him in Los Angeles.
The day was declared in 1981 and has since become historic in his life.
In addition, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and also became the longest continuous period of broadcast service of any DJ in the United States of America as he served 79 years.
See Also: Red Sovine- The Life, Death, And Best Songs Of The Singer
His Income and Net Worth
Art Laboe’s net worth is estimated at $1 million to $8 million at the time of his death.
He started earning before he reached 20 while working with the US Navy.
His income increased from the time he was 18 when he joined the entertainment industry in 1943.
Laboe’s career in entertainment started with a job at KSAN where he pioneered the request show.
He also had a career with KCMJ in Palm Springs when he returned to Southern California and was the only broadcaster in the town at the time.
He also worked with KPOP, KXLA, KGGI, KDES-FM, KOKO-FM, KAJM, KDAY, and
By the time he was 34 in 1959, Laboe started a record label called Original Sound Records and also became a songwriter. He was notable for contributing to the hit songs, Teen Beat by Sandy Nelson and Bongo Rock by Prestin Epps among others.
More to his income, he recorded a mixtape called Oldies But Goodies, Vol. 1 which sold over a million. This prompted him to start a series for his mistake and counted up to 15.
What Caused Art Laboe’s Death
Art Laboe died from pneumonia on Friday, October 7, 2022. He died at the age of 97 at his home in Palm Springs, California.
It is with deep sadness we report the passing of Art Laboe, legendary pioneering radio icon and music veteran, the man who coined and trademarked the phrase “Oldies But Goodies™,” he was 97. He died peacefully at his home in Palm Springs, CA on Friday night, October 7, 2022 after a short case of pneumonia. Condolences to Art’s legions of fans, family, friends, and colleagues.
September 2022, marked 79 years as a radio performer marking the longest continuous period of broadcasting service.
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. A memorial service will be announced later.
