Difference between revisions of "Wolfman Jack"
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On 30 January 1976, Wolfman Jack hosted the late-night rock TV series ''The Midnight Special'' on NBC, devoted to Frank Zappa. During the show, Zappa gave a summarisation of his life and career, despite admitting that he's appearing ''"on a show that he always felt to be loathsome at best."'' <ref>https://www.donlope.net/fz/videography/1976-80.html</ref> | On 30 January 1976, Wolfman Jack hosted the late-night rock TV series ''The Midnight Special'' on NBC, devoted to Frank Zappa. During the show, Zappa gave a summarisation of his life and career, despite admitting that he's appearing ''"on a show that he always felt to be loathsome at best."'' <ref>https://www.donlope.net/fz/videography/1976-80.html</ref> | ||
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==See also== | ==See also== | ||
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[[Category:Radio Presenters]] | [[Category:Radio Presenters]] | ||
[[Category:Freak Out! (The List)]] | [[Category:Freak Out! (The List)]] | ||
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Latest revision as of 09:03, 11 August 2026
Robert (Bob) Weston Smith, aka Wolfman Jack (January 21, 1938, Brooklyn, New York, U.S. - July 1, 1995, Belvedere, North Carolina, U.S.) was an American radio presenter and DJ who broadcasted as 'Wolfman Jack' or 'The Wolfman'. He presented records and products in a continuous 'howling moondog' style, similar to bluesman Howlin' Wolf, on Mexican border radio XERF.
In 1973 his popularity reached a cult status when he played himself in a pivotal role in the film American Graffiti, the soundtrack of which contains 'golden oldie' hits by bands - such as The Spaniels, The Clovers, The Del-Vikings & The Five Satins - all featured by Frank Zappa in his radio presentations as a Fraudulent DJ.
Zappa and Wolfman Jack
Wolfman Jack is listed in the list of influences inside the sleeve of Zappa's debut album "Freak Out!" (1966) in the list of influences under the heading "These People Have Contributed Materially In Many Ways To Make Our Music What It Is. Please Do Not Hold It Against Them".
He also mentioned in the liner notes to the song The Legend Of Cleetus Awreetus-Awrightus & the Grand Wazoo on Zappa's album The Grand Wazoo (1972): "Each week, at the same point in the dinner ceremony, just before they serve the oiled pessaries, an exhausted runner crashes through the doors, falls to his knees before the emperor, and wheezes: "They're coming! Quickly! We'll be surrounded!" The runner is then revived (he always blacks out right then) with a transistor radio tuned to Wolfman Jack. Once his consciousness has been regained, guards remove him to another area where he is pumped and waxed for further information."
On 30 January 1976, Wolfman Jack hosted the late-night rock TV series The Midnight Special on NBC, devoted to Frank Zappa. During the show, Zappa gave a summarisation of his life and career, despite admitting that he's appearing "on a show that he always felt to be loathsome at best." [1]
