Posted by chicagomedia.org on October 23, 2008 at 07:33:52:
Legendary DJ Herb Kent Keeps Kicking
Kent Celebrates 65 Years in Broadcasting
He may have just turned 80 years old, but that hasn't stopping Herb Kent from doing what he loves -- playing music.
The Chicago native grew up in the Ida B. Wells Housing Project, and fell in love with radio during high school.
"It's the only thing I know how to do," Kent said from the studios of WVAZ-FM, where he broadcasts on Saturdays and Sundays.
Kent got his first paying gig at age 19 making only 35 dollars a week. That was 1949. Since then, he's worked continuously on-air in and around Chicago.
Along the way, he picked up the nickname "Cool Gent," and is credited with coining the phrase "dusty records," or just "dusties" in reference to classic tracks.
Despite all the changes in the radio industry Kent has been a constant, and he says he has no plans of retiring.
A new tell-all memoir, "The Cool Gent" will be released in February.
(Leeann Trotter, NBCChicago.com)