Popular DJ Laurie Roberts, a presence on Bay Area radio waves for decades and a 2011 inductee into the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame, has died.
“Laurie Roberts passed today at 11:10 a.m.” according to a post made May 5 on her Facebook page, although it now appears that Roberts died on May 4. “The family is respectfully asking that no questions or messages be sent at this time. We are mourning together as a family and dealing with our tragic loss.”
No cause of death or other information was listed. Yet, Roberts had reportedly been facing some major health challenges in recent years, having struggled “with severe foot, knee and mobility issues” and faced “extremely complicated and serious surgery,” according to an earlier GoFundMe page that had been set up to help defray some of the medical costs and other related expenses.
“All her professional life Lauri has given unselfishly of her time and talents to champion local charity events benefiting the homeless, our servicemen and women, animal shelters, our kids and — yes — even our local bands,” wrote local musician Robert Berry, who helped organize the GoFundMe page. “Laurie is the best of what radio is all about and an exceptionally fine and loving person.”
Berry was certainly not alone in his admiration of Roberts. The DJ was nothing short of a Bay Area rock ‘n’ roll radio icon.
And it might be easier to list the stations that she didn’t work for, as opposed to the many that she did, during her amazing career. She will be remembered for her work on the South Bay’s two most legendary rock stations — the gone-but-definitely-not-forgotten KSJO and KOME stations — yet she also worked for current rock powerhouse KFOX.
Most recently, Roberts worked as a DJ — as well as the operations manager — at the mighty Americana music outpost of KPIG-FM, which broadcasts out of the Watsonville area.
She was so good at what she did that she was widely, and routinely, referred to as “The Great Laurie Roberts.” And it’s impossible to argue with that moniker.
The news spread quickly on Wednesday on social media, with both fans and friends expressing shock and sorrow over the loss on Facebook.
“She was beyond talented,” Bay Area promoter Ric Hines posted on Facebook. “I know that my Broadcasting Sisters & Brothers are as stunned as I to get this news. Rest in peace Laurie.”
“She’s been on darn near every radio station we’ve had in San Jose,” Amy LaLonde Hewett wrote. “I can totally hear her voice in my head.”
“Laurie and I were friends for many years (decades),” posted Robert Handa. “I always told her she was my favorite Rock DJ .. my favorite .. and I often called in requests knowing we would also chat off the air. I saw her at community events for causes she believed in (‘Hippie stuff’ she used to say). She is the genuine deal on-air and off. We miss you Laurie!”
Roberts was also popular with Bay Area musicians, reportedly striking up friendships with Huey Lewis, Greg Kihn and members of the Doobie Brothers.
Roberts’ family has started a GoFundMe page to help with expenses associated with Roberts’ death.
“As the family of our dear Laurie Roberts we have no words for this loss,” the page reads. “We are shocked and devastated. We will make a statement in the near future regarding the loss of our beautiful, talented and loving woman.
“For now, we would like to ask, if you can, please donate here to help our family with after death costs and to support the family in handling the very difficult end of life matters. Her niece (Kim Friberg) and great nieces (Chelsey White and myself, Candice Lundy) will be driving down to California from Washington and any financial help is greatly appreciated.”
Any funds raised that are not used for those expenses listed will go to “Days of Wine and Wet Noses,” a charity event that Roberts started to benefit a number of animal rescue organizations, the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter, Heading Home Animal Rescue, and Unconditional Love Animal. She was passionate about animal rescue efforts.
“I know a lot of great musicians who like to help out a good cause, I know how to throw a good party, I know wineries, breweries, restaurants….and my passion is animal rescue,” Roberts once said in an interview with America’s Women Magazine Bay Area Edition. “So, I put together this event to benefit the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter, Heading Home Animal Rescue, and Unconditional Love Animal Rescue.”
There was no word yet on services for the popular radio personality.