Radio Pioneer Artwork Laboe Useless at 97

Artwork Laboe, a pioneering voice in radio who created one among its most well-known phrases, is useless after battling pneumonia.

The well-known disc jockey who’s extensively credited with coining the phrase “Oldies however goodies” died on Friday night time at his residence in Palm Springs … in keeping with a rep for Artwork’s manufacturing firm. We’re informed he was recognized with pneumonia 2 weeks in the past.

We’re informed he had shut pals by his facet when he handed — and generations of his followers, notably on the West Coast, are remembering the person who revolutionized radio broadcasts.

Artwork was simply 18 years previous when he acquired his first gig on KSAN in San Francisco. Throughout WWII he began taking requests and dedications … a brand new idea for disc jockeys on the time. He later moved to L.A. and had an infinite social affect on the town.

He organized reside DJ exhibits at a drive-in movie show … the place he would play rock ‘n’ roll music, and entice younger audiences of white, Black and Latino followers. His exhibits had been so fashionable, some credit score him with serving to finish segregation in SoCal.

Artwork went on to turn out to be a report producer, and live performance promoter and even owned some radio stations. And, while you speak about marathon careers … Artwork’s remaining syndicated radio present was produced final week, and aired Sunday night time.

He was 97.