Herb Kent facts for kids

Herbert Rogers Kent (born October 5, 1928 – died October 22, 2016) was a famous radio host from Chicago, Illinois. He was known as "the longest-running DJ in the history of radio" because he worked for over 70 years! People called him "the cool gent," a nickname he made up himself. Even as a high school student, Herb Kent started hosting a classical music show. He inspired many young African-American broadcasters.

Early Life

Herb Kent was born in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in the Bronzeville neighborhood. He was an only child. He went to Hyde Park High School and Northwestern University. Herb loved radio from a very young age. He once said that by age six, he already "had a love affair with radio." He enjoyed listening to blues music stations.

Radio Career

Herb Kent started his radio career in 1944 when he was just 16 years old. He was still in high school at the time. He got a chance to host a classical music show on WBEZ in Chicago. This happened after he joined special workshops run by the station.

By the late 1940s, he was working at two different stations. He acted in old radio dramas on WMAQ in Chicago. He also hosted a music show on WGRY in Gary, Indiana. Later, he worked at WJFC-AM and WJOB-AM.

The King of the Dusties

In the 1950s, Herb Kent became famous as "The King of the Dusties." He created a new type of music show. He played older songs that he called "dusty records." He came up with this name while working at WBEE radio in Harvey, Illinois.

WVON and His Unique Style

In March 1963, Herb Kent joined a new Chicago radio station called WVON. This station played "soul-style rhythm and blues" music. Herb Kent had a show from 7:30 to 11 p.m. He was known for his special on-air style. He never shouted or used a fake voice. Instead, he always talked in a calm, "ultra-cool" way.

WVON became one of the most popular Black radio stations in America. Herb Kent was its most popular DJ. Many young people listened to his night-time show. This helped the station become even more popular.

In 1977, Herb Kent left WVON. He later returned to Chicago radio in 1978 on WXFM. In the 1990s, he was heard on WVAZ. By 1999, he was back on WVON's FM station.

Other Activities

In the mid-1960s, Herb Kent owned a music club called the Times Square Club. It was a place where people could enjoy rhythm-and-blues music.

He also hosted a dance show on WLS-TV in Chicago in the mid-1990s. The show was called Steppin' at Club 7. The name came from a dance style called Chicago stepping, which Herb Kent was connected with. He also taught radio broadcasting classes at Chicago State University.

Civil Rights Work

Herb Kent was involved in the Civil Rights Movement. He was the master of ceremonies for a big rally in Chicago. This rally was led by Martin Luther King Jr. After King's death, Herb Kent was the voice on WVON who asked people to stay calm. He reported live from the streets of Chicago during the difficult times after King was killed.

Death

Herb Kent passed away on October 22, 2016, at the age of 88. He had hosted his final radio show just that morning.

Autobiography

In 2009, Herb Kent's life story was published in a book. It was called The Cool Gent: The Nine Lives of Radio Legend Herb Kent.

Awards and Recognition

Herb Kent received many awards for his long and amazing career:

• In 1995, he was added to the National Radio Hall of Fame.
• In 2009, Guinness World Records recognized him. He got the award for the "Longest career as a radio presenter/DJ (male)."
• In 2015, he received the Crusading Pioneer Award from the Chicago Crusader.
• In 2016, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from The Chicago Defender.