Herb Kent (Finding Aid)

Herb Kent

1928 -

Favorite Food: Rice and Beans

Favorite Time of Year: October - Indian Summer

Favorite Vacation Spot: Cruises

Interview Length: 155 minutes

Interview Date(s): February 15, 2000

Interview Location(s): Chicago, Illinois

Abstract

Herb Kent begins by describing his childhood, focusing on living with a single mother and explaining the influence she had on him. Kent describes his experience at Hyde Park High School, a white school, explaining his success and his ability to thrive in an all-white environment. He talks about first becoming interested in radio while in high school, and going on the air for the first time as a teenager. Kent describes the environment of the Ida B. Wells housing project on Chicago's South Side in which he spent his teenage years. He describes his childhood personality, and talks about his mother's family background. Kent tells the story of first becoming inspired to pursue a career in radio. Finally, Kent talks about studying radio broadcasting at Northwestern University, with the intent of becoming a classical music announcer. He details the racism he encountered while pursuing this goal, despite his academic success. Herb Kent begins with a candid discussion of his personal views regarding racism, race relations, and cultural differences between whites and blacks. He describes the racial climate of Chicago as he observed it as a young man. Kent details his first experiences in black radio, focusing on the two disc jockeys who mentored him, Al Benson and Sam Evans. Kent describes the working conditions of the several radio stations for which he worked, detailing instances of racism. Kent talks about the success and fame of his mentors, and briefly discusses his public image. Finally, Kent describes in detail leaving one radio station to work with disc jockey Sam Evans at WGES. Herb Kent talks about the popularity of African American disc jockeys in Chicago during the 1940s and 1950s, particularly Al Benson. Kent describes his move to WBEE, a smaller radio station, explaining how he benefited from the increased salary and freedom he received at his new station. Kent has a long discussion about the popularity of "doo-wop" R&B groups in the 1950s, explaining how he helped expose such groups to both black and white audiences. Kent explains how unknown bands would use popular disc jockeys as a way to achieve fame. Kent explains how his popularity with both white and black audiences allowed him to easily transition from WBEE to an all-white station, WJOB. Herb Kent discusses how rock and roll music has changed from black music to white music. He describes a strike at WBEE, which led him to move to WHFC. Kent details how record producer Leonard Chess bought WHFC, changing it to WVON, which became the first twenty-four hour black radio station. Kent describes Chess's success in the music industry as a record producer and radio station owner. Kent briefly describes some of his colleagues at WVON. He details the success of WVON, crediting the vivid on-air personalities, community involvement, and family-oriented programming. Kent relates some humorous stories about some of the characters he created for WVON, including the origin of Wahoo Man. Kent talks about popular African American disc jockeys in the Chicago area who influenced his career. Herb Kent discusses the decline of WVON in the face of a changing industry, and details his own dismissal, explaining how he changed his broadcasting style to adapt to contemporary radio. This allowed him to maintain his popularity over a long period of time. Kent talks about some of the racism he faced during his time at other radio stations. He talks about his television career, particularly how his 'Steppin' at Club Seven' television program helped him become famous outside the African American community. Kent raises his concerns for the future of African Americans, focusing on the need for economic advancement. Kent discusses the effect of media conglomerates on the radio industry. Herb Kent talks about how technological advances will impact the radio broadcasting industry. He reflects on his popularity and explains how he is able to feel young at seventy years of age. He briefly mentions his mother and talks about how she viewed his success. Kent details some of his favorite musicians, recognizing their artistry and talent. He discusses the enormous impact black music has made on American society, and explains the role of black disc jockeys in helping to promote black music, describing some of Chicago's most influential black disc jockeys.

53 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)