Starbound Records and the Voice on the Radio – Remembering Matt Limburg

Matt Limburg – Radio, Records, and Community Roots

For many in Salt Lake and the west side communities, Matt Limburg was more than a familiar voice on the radio—he was a friend who lived and breathed music, faith, and family. Born in 1953, Matt graduated from Olympus High in 1972, where his humor, leadership, and love of people made him stand out early on. He had a natural gift for broadcasting, and while he once turned down an early chance to DJ for his favorite station in order to serve a mission in England, he later fulfilled his dream at KNAK and KRSP, where his voice and personality became part of the soundtrack of Utah life.

Matt’s love of music carried over into entrepreneurship when he founded Starbound Records, which operated a storefront for more than 20 years before moving online. For many locals, Starbound was a treasure trove—where you could browse vinyl, pick up the latest cassette or CD, and get a personal recommendation from Matt himself. His shop wasn’t just about selling music; it was about building connections. Customers became friends, often leaving with both an album and a story.

Matt and his wife Patty made their home in Magna, where they raised five children and became beloved community members. Neighbors remember not just his record store, but his generosity—sharing tomatoes and homemade salsa from his garden, giving rides to friends who needed help, and filling his home with music and laughter.

In many ways, Matt’s story reflects the spirit of Salt Lake’s west side in the 1970s–1990s—a time when local businesses like record shops, diners, and clothing stores were gathering places as much as they were places to shop. For music lovers, Starbound Records was one of those special spots, and Matt Limburg was at the center of it all.

Though he passed away in 2022, Matt’s legacy lives on—in the music collections he helped build, the friendships he nurtured, and the community he loved so deeply.