Wolfman jack, raspy voice of the radio, is dead at 57. Youre running with the wolfman, full name wolfman jack, the worlds most famous disc jockey, a thirtyyear king of the airwaves who has preached rock, soul, and rhythmandblues salvation to 100 million listening fans at a time, on 2,200 stations in 43 countries and who finally, in these pages, tells the amazing story of his phenomenal life. On july 1, 1995, famed disc jockey wolfman jack who played himself in george. Buy have mercy confessions of the original rock n roll animal by wolfman jack, byron laursen isbn. A jolly anecdotal romp through wolfman jacks life as a disc jockey and improbable popculture legend. Robert weston smith, known as wolfman jack january 21, 1938 july 1, 1995, was an american disc jockey. Nothing is mentioned about any of this in wolfman jacks have mercy autobiography. If you have an interest in vintage radio and the antics behind the life of this iconic disc jockey, this book is a mustread. The personal story of wolfman jack reveals the advent of his alter ego, multiple broadcast successes, appearance in american grafitti, battle with drugs, and many. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
Wolfman jack was born on january 21, 1938 in brooklyn, new york, usa as robert weston smith. Wolfman recounts his childhood passion for the black music ignored by mainstream radio in the 1950s, his lowly beginnings as an ad rep for a small station in norfolk, va. The story of a troubled kid from brooklyn who through his determination and wit, becomes the most famous dj radio has ev. Wolfman jack, 19391995, wolfman jack, disc jockeys, diskjockey publisher new york. Wolfman jack died yesterday of a heart attack, after returning home to belvedere, north carolina, from. American graffiti 910 movie clip wolfman jack 1973. Confessions of the original rock n roll animal wolfman jack by wolfman jack available from rakuten kobo. The wolfman, whose real name was robert smith, had returned home to this northeast north carolina town earlier in the day after a 20day trip to promote his book, have mercy, when he collapsed. My mom wont let me listen to wolfman jack because hes a negro. Wolfman jack, raspy voice of the radio, is dead at 57 the. Smith had been on a 20day tour to promote his book have mercy, the confession of the original party animal, about his early career.
Have mercy confessions of the original rock n roll animal by. Confessions of the original rock n roll animal, and if you dont have fun reading it, then awooooooooo to you. In 1963, while working in shreveport, louisiana, he drew upon his love of horror movies and rock and roll, to create the raspyvoiced, howling persona of wolfman jack. The wolfman jack story is a feature length documentary film on the life and career of the legendary radio personality. I walked away exhausted from a really wild journey. Have mercy confessions of the original rock n roll animal. Host of americas first syndicated rockandroll radio program and the inspiration for george lucass american graffiti, bob smith, aka wolfman jack, is one of radios legendary figures, and this autobiography reveals that his life has been as colorful as his broadcasts. The story of a troubled kid from brooklyn who through his determination. Wolfman jack, in his day the most famous rock and roll discjockey in america, has howled for the last time. Wolfman jack wrote have mercy confessions of the original rock n roll animal, which can be purchased at a lower price at. Famous for his gravelly voice, he credited it for his success, saying, its kept meat and potatoes on the table for years for wolfman and wolfwoman. Major music artists such as todd rundgren, leon russell, freddie king and the guess who, all produced charttopping hits written about the wolfman. Confessions of the original rock n roll animal by byron laursen and wolfman jack trade cloth at the best online prices at ebay.
By this time, wolfman jack was becoming something of a cult icon. Peppers lonely hearts club band 1978 and motel hell 1980. You hear his voice, from guttural to silky, in the pages, and all the emotion that went with them. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Wolfman jack spins 41 vintage tunes on the radio throughout the night, steve ponders a future with girlfriend laurie cindy williams, curt chases a mystery blonde, terry tries to act. American graffiti 910 movie clip wolfman jack 1973 hd.
Though wolfman jack was cast as himself, it was fictionalized to a certain extent the film is set in 1962 when wolfman jack was still on xerf, the station is depicted as broadcasting from within california, and his appearance is more polished than the wild and crazy fanged showman we would all come to know from his later live appearances. A jolly anecdotal romp through wolfman jack s life as a disc jockey and improbable popculture legend. Confessions of the original rock n roll animal wolfman jack. Radios all time most distinctive voice, wolfman jack was born robert smith in brooklyn, new york on january 21, 1938. It captures the renegade spirit that led a few pirates and pioneers to take risks for entertainments sake.
Wolfman jack toronto sun, 1995 these days, the word legend has been coopted to describe just about anything with a cultural impact, but it really refers to something more mythological. The nook book ebook of the have mercy confessions of the original rock n roll animal wolfman jack by wolfman jack, byron laursen. No one questions that wolfman jack was a oneofakind kinda guy in a oneofakind radio era. His dates may be a little off, and i found a few other discrepancies. Sep 26, 2008 wolfman jack on 66 wnbc ny back in 1973. Like any book about the music industry, its filled with stories of rock legends, but have mercy also gives a glimpse into the heart of the wolfman.
He was an actor, known for american graffiti 1973, sgt. Have mercy confessions of the original rock n roll. Todd rundgren named a song after him on his 1972 album somethinganything, the grateful dead referenced him in their 1972 song ramble on rose and in 1973 he began a 9year run as cohost of nbcs televised concert show the midnight special. I also havent had any luck finding any other evidence about the shows existence or the albums, save for another brief mention of it on page 21 of the april 15, 1972 billboard. Born in 1938, future wolfman bob smith grew up in and around new york city. His philosophy for living was simple be good to everybody, and have a good time. Jul 02, 1995 wolfman jack, the rockandroll disk jockey whose unmistakable raspy voice and ontheair howls brought him something of a cult following as one of americas bestknown radio personalities, died. Other sources, including the radio hall of fame and wolfman jacks autobiography have mercy. The disc jockey, who achieved fleeting international fame for his part in george lucas. Buy a cheap copy of have mercy confessions of the original.
Pair reading it with intermittent aircheck recordings for the maximum effect. Larry brandon then made a deal with attorney arturo gonzalez in del rio, texas, who operated the interamerican radio advertising, inc. Other sources, including the radio hall of fame and wolfman jack s autobiography have mercy. You and your friends cruise the boulevards, eager for good times. His parents divorced when he was five, and he divided his unsettled youth between running with a gang and pursuing his overlapping loves.
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