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

Kent, Herb; Smallwood, David

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1556527748 ISBN 13: 9781556527746

Publisher: A Cappella Books, 2009

Synopsis

When Herb Kent was a straight-A college student in the 1940s, his white professor told him, "You have the best voice in class, but you'll never make it in radio because you're a Negro." This did not deter the poor kid from the Chicago housing projects who had decided on a radio career at age five. It was just one more obstacle to face head on and overcome.

Known as the Cool Gent, the King of the Dusties, and the Mayor of Bronzeville, Herb Kent is one of radio's most illustrious and legendary stars. This fascinating autobiography details both the high and low points of Herb's life while providing a vivid picture of black music, culture, and personalities from the 1950s to today. Herb had a typical rock-and-roll lifestyle--drugs, alcohol, all-night partying, and women--eventually hitting rock bottom, where he finally faced his personal demons. At least nine times Herb came close to death, but through it all, he maintained his debonair, classy persona and his uncanny knack for picking timeless tunes. And he didn't save only himself; along the way, he blazed new trails for all African Americans and remains a role model for today's top deejays.

About this title

Review:

"Very good read from a legendary radio giant." --Otis Williams, The Temptations

"Truly, a legendary radio personality. Like all of his adoring fans, I applaud Herb for his nearly 65 years of contributions to Chicago's radio airwaves and for furthering his inspirational reach through this book." --Richard M. Daley, mayor, Chicago

"Herb Kent is one of the great DJs of all time, and one of the great human beings of all time." --Gene Chandler, "Duke of Earl"

"Herb Kent is more than a radio legend. He's an American icon, and anyone who has ever heard him on-air knows why . . . Mr. Kent's charm and wit have earned the respect of millions of devoted fans and listeners and have inspired a number of aspiring African-American broadcasters . . . as far as I'm concerned, the Cool Gent's story is long overdue." --Rod R. Blagojevich, governor, Illinois

"Herb's distinctive voice has entertained and informed Chicagoans for more than 60 years . . . this book will give readers a tremendous opportunity to experience the life, both personal and professional, of Herb Kent, one of the greatest entertainers that ever lived. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!" --Earl Jones, president, Clear Channel Radio Chicago

"Herb Kent paved the road of success that I'm on today." --Tom Joyner, radio host, The Tom Joyner Morning Show

"This fine gentleman is loved by everyone, and was born to be 'the Greatest Jock' ever, and that's what he is." --The Mighty Dells: Marvin Junior, Verne Allison, Chuck Barksdale, Michael McGill, and Johnnie Carter

"A remarkable collection of historical facts in radio, music and Blackness incorporated with Kent history." --Chicago Defender

Synopsis:

Known as the Cool Gent, King of the Dusties, and the Mayor of Bronzeville, Herb Kent is one of radio's most illustrious and legendary stars. This fascinating autobiography details both the high and low points of Kent's life - including his poverty-stricken childhood in the Chicago housing projects and his straight - years at Northwestern University - while providing a vivid picture of African American music, culture, and personalities from the second half of the 20th century to today. Despite not being a musician himself, Kent lived a typical rock 'n' roll lifestyle full of drugs, alcohol, all-night partying, and women, eventually hitting rock bottom where he finally faced his personal demons. Throughout the years, Kent has sustained his debonair, classy persona, and uncanny knack for picking timeless tunes.

About this edition

• Publisher: A Cappella Books
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1556527748
• ISBN 13: 9781556527746
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 272