Longtime Lakers public-address announcer Lawrence Tanter dies - ESPN

Longtime Los Angeles Lakers public-address announcer Lawrence Tanter has died, the team announced Wednesday.

«We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of legendary Lakers public address announcer Lawrence Tanter,» the team wrote in a statement shared on its social media accounts. «For 43 years, LT's voice served as the soundtrack to Lakers games at the arena. He will be remembered as a cherished member of the Lakers family.»

In June, the 76-year-old Tanter retired from his courtside post where he had manned the microphone in L.A. since the «Showtime» days of the 1980s.

Tanter had suffered a stroke late in the regular season and missed the Lakers' last six home games, plus the playoffs.

Last month, shortly before entering into hospice care, Tanter texted ESPN.

«Quote me,» he wrote, "'It's been a blessing.'"

A post shared by Los Angeles Lakers (@lakers)

Known by Lakers fans simply by his initials, LT, Tanter was the longest-tenured PA announcer in team history and was recognized for his style as much as for his longevity.

Despite being equipped with a booming baritone voice and an imposing 6-foot-7 frame, Tanter's presentation relied on restraint, using a silky-smooth delivery to share the Lakers' starting lineups, substitutions, fouls and score announcements with an aim to inform rather than distract the audience.

Tanter channeled his parallel career as a disc jockey at various jazz radio stations in L.A. when he reported to the arena, often wearing an eight-panel cap atop his head and sporting a well-manicured white goatee on his chin.

Always part of the tapestry but never stealing the spotlight, Tanter's signature call became announcing «The Laker girlllssss» when the dance team finished a routine and