| Greg Kot | |
| Birth Date: | 3 March 1957 |
| Occupation: | Journalist, author |
| Language: | English |
| Genre: | music journalism |
Greg Kot (born March 3, 1957) is an American music journalist and author. From 1990 until 2020, Kot was the rock music critic at the Chicago Tribune,[1] where he covered popular music and reported on music-related social, political and business issues. Kot co-hosts the radio program Sound Opinions, which introduces itself as "the world's only rock 'n' roll talk show", nationally syndicated through Chicago Public Radio, WBEZ.[2]
A native of Syracuse, New York, Kot graduated from Marquette University.[3] Kot started his career at the Quad City Times in Davenport, Iowa in June 1978[4] and then joined the Chicago Tribune in 1980.[3] He was named the paper's rock music critic in 1990, and held that job until taking a buyout from the Tribune in early 2020.[3]
Kot has co-hosted the radio show Sound Opinions since its 1993 launch.[5] The show is syndicated to about 150 radio stations nationwide and also exists as a weekly podcast.[5] In 2020, Chicago's WBEZ terminated its production agreement with Sound Opinions, although the show will continue to be produced independently.[5]
Kot's books include , , and I'll Take You There: Mavis Staples, the Staple Singers and the March up Freedom's Highway.[6] He co-authored The Beatles vs. The Rolling Stones: Sound Opinions on the Great Rock 'n' Roll Rivalry (Voyageur Press) with his Sound Opinions co-host Jim DeRogatis.[7] His music criticism and journalism has appeared in Encyclopædia Britannica, Cash: By the Editors of Rolling Stone, Harrison: A Rolling Stone tribute to George Harrison, The Trouser Press Guide to '90s Rock, The Rolling Stone Album Guide and MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide.[8] A longtime contributor to Rolling Stone, Kot has written for a dozen national publications,[9] including Details, Blender, Entertainment Weekly, Men's Journal, Guitar World, Vibe and Request.
Kot lives on Chicago's Northwest Side and is a longtime youth basketball coach.[10]