John LaBarca was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1947, the youngest of four boys in a close-knit family. His father, Anthony, labored as a TWU transport worker and his mother, Mamie, worked for years in ILGWU garment shops along with the beloved "Zia Maria". John's grandparents came to the United States from Sicily in the early 1900's. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

John completed broadcasting school in 1965, and two years later was drafted. He served with the United States Signal Corps in Vietnam where he received two Commendation Medals as a radioman. His Vietnam experiences have given him a well known empathy for Vietnam Veterans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a young man, John worked as a Doorman-Captain at the famous Radio City Music Hall, and actually appeared in a scene from "The Godfather" filmed there. Film making, however, was not in JLB's future and he found his true love in radio broadcasting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Starting his Italian program in Long Island, then moving on to Westport, Ct for a while, and for decades being a staple on a Bridgeport, Ct station, John has built up one of the most popular ethnic radio programs in the United States called " John LaBarca's Italian House Party". His commitment to preserving Italian-American heritage is manifest by his program's support for education, cultural, and social events sponsored by many Italian-American Organizations. It's no wonder that John has been cited as "Italian American of the Year" by the Roma Club and "Humanitarian of the Year" by the Stamford-Norwalk, Ct area Police Anchor Club. He has also been nominated for the Marconi Award's "Best Radio Personality".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

His appreciation and love of country, family, ethnic heritage, faith, and basic human decency have struck a chord with thousands of listeners of all ethnic, racial, and religious groups.