Herb Kent celebrates career, recalls Gary ties

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ chicagomedia.org :: Chicago Radio, TV, All Media Discussion Forum ]

Posted by chicagomedia.org on April 06, 2009 at 12:22:53:

Radio legend celebrates career, recalls Gary ties

April 6, 2009

By Lisa DeNeal
Post-Tribune correspondent

GARY -- Radio legend Herb Kent, 80, of WVAZ-FM (V103) received the royal treatment March 20 at Majestic Star Casino as fans, friends and colleagues celebrated his 60 years in radio in the Chicago area.

The standing-room-only crowd also purchased autographed copies of Kent's memoir, "Cool Gent: The Nine Lives of Radio Legend Herb Kent."

Written by Kent and journalist David Smallwood, "Cool Gent" tells the story of Kent, a Chicago native who grew up in the Ida B. Wells housing projects and fell in love with music as a teenager. His first jobs were in the Chicago area.

Inside the casino's ballroom, sitting in a tall red chair fit for a king as people stood in line on red carpet holding copies of his memoir, Kent said one of his first gigs happened in Gary.

"I started in 1949 doing radio in Gary. I even lived here for a while. ⤦ I stayed in the 2400 block of Louisiana Street. The house is still standing, and I want so badly to stop by that house and reflect on it," Kent said between autographs.

"Returning here is like coming home again. I truly love seeing everyone here from Gary, Chicago, all over the Midwest. It is truly overwhelming to get all of this support and love."

Fans either sat at tables decorated with framed photos of Kent or stood near the stage next to Kent.

The stage was lively throughout the evening as fellow V103 radio personalities, including Troi Tyler, Ramonski Luv, Joe Soto, Richard Steele and others, expressed their love for Kent.

Many danced to live performances by Marshall Thompson of the legendary soul group The Chi-Lites, local groups and Kent's own band, The Herbie Babies, named after a nickname given to Kent by a longtime fan.

Gary Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Chuck Hughes said he is an aficionado of old-school music and a fan of Kent's.

"I remember when he was heard on radio station WMPP in the area," Hughes said. "The man is the coolest cat in radio."

Follow Ups:

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: Radio legend celebrates career, recalls Gary ties : April 6, 2009 : By Lisa DeNeal : Post-Tribune correspondent : GARY -- Radio legend Herb Kent, 80, of WVAZ-FM (V103) received the royal treatment March 20 at Majestic Star Casino as fans, friends and colleagues celebrated his 60 years in radio in the Chicago area. : The standing-room-only crowd also purchased autographed copies of Kent's memoir, "Cool Gent: The Nine Lives of Radio Legend Herb Kent." : Written by Kent and journalist David Smallwood, "Cool Gent" tells the story of Kent, a Chicago native who grew up in the Ida B. Wells housing projects and fell in love with music as a teenager. His first jobs were in the Chicago area. : Inside the casino's ballroom, sitting in a tall red chair fit for a king as people stood in line on red carpet holding copies of his memoir, Kent said one of his first gigs happened in Gary. : "I started in 1949 doing radio in Gary. I even lived here for a while. ⤦ I stayed in the 2400 block of Louisiana Street. The house is still standing, and I want so badly to stop by that house and reflect on it," Kent said between autographs. : "Returning here is like coming home again. I truly love seeing everyone here from Gary, Chicago, all over the Midwest. It is truly overwhelming to get all of this support and love." : Fans either sat at tables decorated with framed photos of Kent or stood near the stage next to Kent. : The stage was lively throughout the evening as fellow V103 radio personalities, including Troi Tyler, Ramonski Luv, Joe Soto, Richard Steele and others, expressed their love for Kent. : Many danced to live performances by Marshall Thompson of the legendary soul group The Chi-Lites, local groups and Kent's own band, The Herbie Babies, named after a nickname given to Kent by a longtime fan. : Gary Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Chuck Hughes said he is an aficionado of old-school music and a fan of Kent's. : "I remember when he was heard on radio station WMPP in the area," Hughes said. "The man is the coolest cat in radio."

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

Enter verification code:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ chicagomedia.org :: Chicago Radio, TV, All Media Discussion Forum ]

postings are the opinions of their respective posters and site ownership disclaims any responsibility for the content contained.
(register a domain name, host your web site, accept credit cards, get a unix shell account)