The Cool Gent: The Nine Lives of Radio Legend Herb Kent

I loved listening to Herb Kent “The Cool Gent” on the radio growing up. This book was a joy to read and reminisce about him. Also loved reading so many nuggets and getting a “behind the scenes” look at his life and career.

Chicago DJ Herb Kent (WVON, WBEE, WVAZ, WGCI, WRLL and so many other stations) is so synonymous with oldies in the Windy City (or "dusties"-- a term he coined to define their crackly sound) that you just assume he'd already written his life story. I mean, he's been in the Radio Hall of Fame since 1995. But maybe he just hadn't used up enough of his nine lives. That's the premise behind "Cool Gent: The Nine Lives Of Radio Legend Herb Kent" published with journalist David Smallwood.Herb, who's now past 80 years old, contends that like most "cats" he was given nine lives. He's been spared from permanently checking out in remarkable ways-- being run over by a car as a child, nearly driving off a cliff himself in the mountains of West Virginia, even missing a horrendous and potentially deadly car crash thanks to WVON "Good Guy" E. Rodney Jones' burning desire to get a pig ear sandwich in Milwaukee. Not all of the stories are as amusing. The insistence of his general manager at WGCI that he enter drug rehabilitation or be fired certainly saved his life. And almost immediately afterwards, Herb successfully battled cancer of the esophagus that nine of out of ten of his doctors said was 100% fatal.I worked with "Herbie Baby" for three years (so I can tell you he's one of the classiest guys I know-- right up there with Ramsey Lewis, who I think even sleeps in a three-piece suit) and I never knew these things about him. In fact, he didn't even tell his daughter or program director he was undergoing chemo and radiation. That's how private a man Herb is. So it's rather shocking to see him open up so candidly about his life-- the bad as well as the good.Along the way he relates how he rejected some great advice from Hugh Downs, to his regret. But also how he rejected the notion of his college radio professor that he'd never make it in broadcasting because of the color of his skin.As you would expect, the book is full of short vignettes about the various artists he's known and worked with over the years, starting with his own Kool Gents and their lead singer, Dee Clark. You'll hear about the Dells, the Impressions, the O'Jays, Minnie Riperton, Smokey Robinson, James Brown and a riot at Midway Airport involving the Jackson 5. You'll hear the full story of "The Wahoo Man", Herb's creation that ended up almost as legendary as the Cool Gent. But you'll also hear about a standoff between Carbondale police and Herb's bodyguards that ends up involving the town's mayor and how Herb went to jail for standing up to an unreasonable cop.The book even asks a musical trivia question at the beginning of each chapter, with the answer at the end."Cool Gent" works as a remembrance of the music of the `50s, `60s and beyond, as a history of Chicago's black radio and as an insight into, as he puts it, "a little guy who wanted to be on the radio since he was a whipper-snapper, finally gets in, succeeds greatly, crashes, recovers, and rises to the top of radio again." Long may he reign.

I loved reading this book. if you've ever lived in Chicago, you recognize many of the places mentioned and you surely herd Herb Kent on radio there. I enjoyed it so much that I purchased a second copy for a friend who also spent time there in the 60s!

Kent's book provides great insight into the evolution of black music in the Chicago area from the 1950's until now. I'm sure Herb has enough info to write a series of books on the topics of the development of black music radio and of his encounters with black music artists throughout the years. He deserves great "props" for his hand in promoting the "steppin" dance phenomenom that has spread across the country among middle-age blacks as a way of both self-expression and good exercise.Herb still emcees shows in the Chicago area and his own "performances" are always fun to watch and hear. And when an "old school" music artist is in the news; Herb's is the voice that many in Chicagoland listen for to hear an authoritative take on the life and career of the artist in question. His on-air tales of his encounters with noted black music artists are usually blunt, funny and true-to-life. His weekend radio shows are usually "must-listen" events for many middle age blacks in the Chicago area.I grew up listening to Herb Kent and am glad that his shows are streamed on-line so that I can hear him wherever I go. Long reign the undisputed "King of the Dusties"!

Not only is this an awesome story ... He is an awesome storyteller!!!

Good read

A book for the generation that experienced their teens and twenties in Chicagoland during the 1960 -1980 years. An inside look at one of the most popular and longest lasting radio personalities.

I grew up listening to Herb Kent and still continue to do so. Initially I thought the book was a little dry, sprinkled with Herb boasting of his intelligence and accomplishments but as he revealed more about his shortcomings and the difficulties he experienced in his climb to the top I came to appreciate him more as a person. A little more info (dirt) on the celebs, stars and personalities he rubbed elbows with would have been good too. I'll never meet any so hearing about what they're really like is always interesting. And Herb, if you're reading this hurry up and release some Electric Crazy People. You big ol' 747 driving, downtown building owning player you!