Friday, December 4, 2009

Longest serving radio DJ-Herb Kent sets world record

 CHICAGO, IL, USA -- Chicago radio legend Herb Kent (aka "The Cool Gent") has a 65-year long career as a radio DJ-which sets the new world record for the Longest serving radio DJ .

 Photo: Known as "The Cool Gent," Kent has served as an inspiration to a number of aspiring African-American broadcasters. Since 1988, Kent has been part of WVAZ/Chicago, where he currently hosts the Saturday Morning Wake-Up Club.  ( enlarge photo )

   Gov. Pat Quinn and the Illinois general assembly are also getting in on the action -- declaring Dec. 5 as "Herb Kent Day" in Illinois.

   Before the Real Men Cook Charities' 3rd Annual Holiday Roast & Toast, co-hosts Quinn and Mayor Daley will honor Kent with the Guinness world record award as well as official jerseys from the Chicago Bears and Bulls.

   Known for his love of Cadillacs and cowboy hats, Kent exudes a youthful charm as he shares stories of the artists he features on the urban adult station. In many cases they are friends.

  Kent's broadcasting career began in 1944 at age 16 and has spanned 11 different radio stations.

   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.         

   Herb Kent was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1995.