Between 1982 and 2006, he was mentioned 191 times in trade publication Radio & Records — the first instance in a photo for famed R&B radio station KJLH-FM in Los Angeles’ “Community Appreciation Day” concert, in which the tall light-skinned African American man with a bushy beard towered over members of the group Black Uhuru. In that last instance, he was quoted in a column about jazz music, which he called “America’s gift to the world.”
In Southern California, some may recall Lawrence Tanter for his time in Radio as an air personality and longtime Program Director. For many others around the world, he’s known for his 43 years as the beloved public address announcer for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Today, all are mourning the passing of Tanter, announced Wednesday evening by the National Basketball Association team. He was 76 years of age.
“For 43 years, LT’s voice served as the soundtrack to Lakers games at the arena,” the Lakers said in a statement. “He will be remembered as a cherished member of the Lakers family.”
Tanter retired in June, following the 2025-2026 season. However, ESPN reports that this decision came after he suffered a stroke late in the regular season, leading him to miss the Lakers’ final six home games and the NBA playoffs. Additionally, ESPN said Tanter entered Hospice in August.
Tanter, who stood at six feet, seven inches tall, began to gain national recognition for his on-air work in L.A. in 1983, when he was honored at Gallery magazine’s Golden 100 Awards. By September 1984, Tanter exited KJLH after 12 years to become Program Director of KUTE-FM, a dial click to the left. There, he brought the “Quiet Storm” soft adult R&B format to Los Angeles, where he would also serve as Operations Manager until leaving in summer 1988 for an operation involving a pair of FM signals that are today home to Entravision’s “Reyna 103.1” offering. By May 1989, he was at another L.A.-market operation: KLIT “K-Lite” — using the dial position of the station that had been KUTE.
In July 1990, another move was seen for Tanter, as he joined Adult R&B KACE-FM 103.9 as Program Director. But by September 1992, he was back at those two FMs sharing the 103.1 MHz frequency for a Jazz format. Fast-forward to November 1993, and Tanter was VP and Director of Programming for Progressive Media. There, he partnered with former KACE sales and management leaders Ricky Tatum and Mary White to launch a Smooth Jazz FM in Sacramento. That venture saw R&R columnist Carol Archer profile Tanter.
By May 2001, Tanter was back in Los Angeles, working for Saul Levine as Program Director of KKJZ-AM 1260, an early incarnation of “K-Jazz.” He’d also be heard on KTWV-FM “94.7 The Wave” in Los Angeles.
No further information regarding funeral arrangements was known at RBR+TVBR’s daily deadline of 1:30pm Pacific.
Adam, Lovely to speak with you. Lawrence was a giant!