01/09/2026
Crónicas Mexicanas THANK YOU for sharing some of the history of Art Laboe! To the day, we continue his legacy, connecting people through music at our and the with recordings of Art and our host Angel Rodriguez!
Before streaming.
Before playlists.
Before representation was a buzzword…
There was Art Laboe.
He wasn’t just a DJ.
He was a bridge.
Born to an immigrant family, raised during the Great Depression, and shaped by World War II, Art Laboe entered radio at a time when America was deeply divided — by race, class, and culture.
On the airwaves, Mexican-American and Chicano communities were often ignored, stereotyped, or completely erased. But when Art spoke, something different happened.
He treated listeners with dignity.
He played music about love, vulnerability, and memory — at a time when many men were told not to feel.
He gave space to emotions that society tried to silence.
The phrase “Oldies but Goodies” wasn’t just catchy radio branding.
It became a cultural anchor.
Those songs weren’t just old — they were ours.
They carried first loves, long drives, heartbreaks, weddings, and healing across generations.
Art Laboe didn’t need to look like the community to stand with it.
He showed respect when respect was rare.
He created belonging when belonging was denied.
In an era of segregation and exclusion, his radio shows brought people together — not through politics, but through humanity.
Sometimes history isn’t changed by speeches or laws.
Sometimes it’s changed by a voice on the radio that reminds you:
You matter.
Your feelings matter.
Your story matters.
🎶❤️
