Herb Kent 25 years!

 
Herb Kent's 25 Years on V103

Chicago radio legend Herb Kent turned 85 this year and also celebrated 25 years at V103 FM. In case most of you missed it, WVAZ-FM hosted its own 25th Anniversary Concert at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont last month, which featured Chaka Khan, Charlie Wilson, Bell Biv DeVoe, and Robin Thicke. V103 morning show host and syndicated radio/TV star Steve Harvey presented as well.

Herb is known by a few nicknames, including The Cool Gent, The King of the Dusties, and The Honorary Mayor of Bronzeville. Most of all he is known for being one of the longest lasting and most important figures in Chicago radio history. Over his career of nearly seven decades, he has worked at such Chicago area stations as WVON-AM, WJJD-AM, WBEZ-FM, WMAQ-AM, WGES-AM, WBEE-AM, WHFC-AM, WJOB-AM, WGRY-AM, and of course, WVAZ-FM.

He has been honored by having a street named in his honor, Herb Kent Drive in the Bronzeville neighborhood. He was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 1995. He holds a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the longest serving radio DJ with his 69 year career, which is still going strong. Even at 85 years old, Kent can still be heard each weekend on V103. He also serves as a lecturer of communications at Chicago State University.

In October 1988, the then-owner of the station at 102.7 FM, Broadcast Partners, changed the music on the station to an urban adult contemporary format and had the call letters changed from WBMX-FM to WVAZ-FM -- branded as "V103." Over the course of the last 25 years, the station has continued to grow in popularity, despite going through various owners during those years. It has steadily transitioned from a quiet, niche station to Chicago's highest-rated radio powerhouse. WVAZ-FM has held the #1 spot in the monthly ratings since the spring of 2012.