Contributor: He DJ’d radio for 79 years. The late Art Laboe’s fans are still tuning in

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Angel Rodriguez, known as “Angel Baby,” first heard Art Laboe on the radio when he was 13 years old, while in his father’s garage in the City of Industry. Laboe was playing “Nite Owl” by Tony Allen and the Champs. Rodriguez explained that what struck him initially was Laboe’s unique voice, and then the sound of people calling in to the show. He found the direct connection between Laboe, the callers, and the music incredibly powerful.

Following in the footsteps of his idol, Art Laboe, Rodriguez began his career as a DJ. He first played records on Radio Aztlan, a late-night Friday program at KUCR in Riverside, a slot he held for over 20 years, starting in his 20s. Now, he honors Laboe’s memory by hosting “The Art Laboe Love Zone,” a five-night-a-week, three-hour radio show broadcast from Palm Springs, bringing music to listeners, as singer Angel Baby put it.

I was a dedicated listener of Art Laboe’s radio show starting in the 1970s, and I continued to tune in until his passing in October 2022. Later, I discovered Rodriguez, who beautifully carried on Laboe’s legacy in 2023. Rodriguez has that classic radio voice and plays a fantastic selection of oldies – perfect for dancing, parties, road trips, or anyone who needs music to get them through long days.

Many believe traditional American radio is fading away as services like Spotify and Sirius use algorithms to choose the music, and live DJs are becoming rare. However, Art Laboe’s voice is still a vibrant exception.

Laboe was the most captivating person I’ve ever known. Though he was only a little over five feet tall, he could fill entire theaters with energy. He’d perform on stage wearing dazzling blue or gold suits, and fans of all ages would passionately cheer his name.

Art Laboe, born in Utah to Armenian parents, developed a passion for radio at a young age. As a child, he traveled alone to Los Angeles to visit his sister and later moved to California, where he attended Stanford University, served in the Navy, and became a DJ at KRLA, a popular oldies station. He’s celebrated for hosting some of California’s first integrated live music concerts at the El Monte Legion Stadium in the 1950s. For an incredible 79 years, he continuously broadcasted on live radio and hosted legendary music events.

While he may not have started the practice, Art Laboe truly mastered the art of the song dedication. Beginning in 1943 on KSAN in San Francisco, he first read heartfelt messages sent by letter from wives whose husbands were fighting in World War II. Later, he took dedications over the phone, with people sending songs to those nearby – a lover in the same bed, or someone far away, separated by work, military service, or even imprisonment.

Art Laboe’s voice was a constant presence growing up in my Riverside neighborhood, drifting from car radios and open windows – it was deeply ingrained in the local Chicano culture, a soundtrack to lowriders and the classic look of Pendleton shirts and khakis. Even today, my neighbor Lydia Orta, 75, fondly remembers attending his concerts in El Monte as a child with her grandmother. Now, her son Johnny, 45, often plays recordings of Laboe’s shows outside their home.

More than 500 fans came together at the Farmhouse Collective in Riverside on August 9th to honor Laboe, just two days after his 100th birthday. The event was hosted by Rodriguez, who dressed in his classic style – a fedora, sunglasses, and a white guayabera shirt. His nickname, “Angel Baby,” comes from the famous 1960 song of the same name by Rosie and the Originals, written by 15-year-old Rosie Hamlin while she was still a high school student in San Diego and inspired by her boyfriend. While Laboe remains the legendary “King” of oldies, Rodriguez is now considered the “Prince,” working to keep the vibrant music and strong community spirit – *la cultura* – thriving.

I met 73-year-old Mary Silva at the concert, who had come with her daughter. She grew up in East L.A. as one of fifteen children and fondly remembered listening to Art Laboe on the radio in Florence. She still tunes in every night on 104.7. Her favorite song is Aaron Neville’s ‘Tell It Like It Is,’ which she says reflects her honest nature.

Elizabeth Rivas, 72, of San Bernardino, was enjoying the concert with her grandchildren, 34-year-old Rene Velaquez and 16-year-old Raymond Velasquez, right near the stage. Elizabeth has been a fan of both Laboe and Rodriguez for many years, and her all-time favorite song is “Tonight” by Sly, Slick and Wicked. Rene shared that their grandmother instilled in them a love for the music, and his personal favorite is another Sly, Slick and Wicked tune, “Confessin’ a Feeling.”

I also saw Henry Sanchez, a 54-year-old from my hometown of Riverside, who used to listen to Laboe on 99.1. He said his favorite song was Brenton Wood’s “Take a Chance.” Sal Gomez, 49 and also from Riverside, shared that he loved Wood’s “Baby You Got It,” recalling hearing it on KRLA.

Rodriguez, introduced by Art Laboe’s longtime producer Joanna Morones, stepped up to the microphone and expressed his gratitude. He said he felt honored to be hosting the show five nights a week, taking calls and playing dedications for the listeners, and that it gave him chills to be in Art’s chair.

As Sly, Slick and Wicked appeared on stage, looking sharp in suits and fedoras, their precise dance moves immediately captivated the crowd. The lead singer shared a story about Art Laboe, who considered “Confessin’ a Feeling” his most popular nighttime request, and thanked the audience for keeping the song alive for half a century. The crowd enthusiastically sang along with the familiar chorus, “Baby, my love is real.” Though time and love may evolve, the song’s enduring power remains constant.

I don’t find true devotion in large crowds. Instead, it’s a quiet feeling that surfaces in moments of solitude and longing, carried on the airwaves by the voices of artists like Angel Baby and Art Laboe.

Every Monday night, starting at 9 p.m., I tune in to “The Art Laboe Love Zone” like I always do. The show is popular across several states – Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado – broadcast on at least eight local radio stations, and many more listen online from all over the world.

Each weeknight, Rodriguez makes a 110-mile round trip from Riverside to Palm Springs after work – he’s the head sign maker for the county. He’d gathered dedications from letters and messages on Instagram and Facebook. Morones selected the recordings of Art Laboe for the evening. One recording featured Laboe reading a dedication from a woman who wanted him to send a kiss over the radio to someone she loved who was far away.

Rodriguez received a letter from Papa Lito, who had moved from Wilmington to Delano. Proxie Aguirre also sent a dedication; she’d stopped by the birthday party. Aguirre is 83 years old and has been a fan of Laboe since she was a teenager. A picture of her, looking vibrant and youthful, even appeared on the cover of one of his compilation albums. Her sister-in-law drove her from Venice to Riverside.

Angel Baby announced, sharing a message from Proxie for her husband, Eddie, after 35 years of marriage: ‘Eddie, I love you very much.’

Then: “Let’s drop the needle on the record, baby bubba.”

Susan Straight’s latest novel, “Sacrament,” is coming out in October. The story centers around a lowrider funeral in San Bernardino and a nurse with a voice reminiscent of Mary Wells.

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2025-09-28 13:31