| Page 6 |
| Unfortunately, in the process of so much exposure, Wolfman Jack's raunchy & wild image became somewhat sanitized and bland. He became like a weak parody of himself. He spread himself too thin by appearing on TV so much and being in too many commercials for products like the acne medication, Clearasil. The market became over-saturated with products like Wolfman Jack toy guitars and Wolfman Jack doorbells. By the late-seventies Wolfman lost his hip status. Many younger people only knew him from commercials or his appearances in movies like, "Hotel Hell." His image was considered sort of corney or cheesey. Having never heard him during his border radio days young people would wonder why Wolfman Jack was so popular. Even some of his older fans from his Mexican radio days became disillusioned and disinterested with the new Wolfman. In addition, Wolfman's credibility was also questioned because in the early seventies he had started doing promos for the war effort at a time when the U.S. military was not respected by young people. Wolfman and rock and roll were a sign of rebellion and doing Public Service Announcements for the Air Force worked to push Wolfman from his outlaw image. Eventually he became aware of his image problem and Wolfman started backing off from so many appearances. |
| Ten years after his unexpected death in 1995, the Wolfman Jack legacy continues. People still swap and sell recordings of his old radio shows. The air-checks from his border radio days are the most rare and sought after. And, there's ongoing efforts to build a Wolfman Jack sculpture and museum in Del Rio, Texas where he first got his start. In addition, Wolfman Jack's show is back in syndication and an ever growing list of stations around the world have picked up the show for broadcast, including XM (Satellite Radio). "The Wolfman is everywhere!" |
| We'll close this article with the Wolfman saying goodnight as he did during his reign at XERB. Imagine some slow, jazzy instrumental, organ music playing in the background as Wolfman in a personable, low-key, late-night voice says, |
| "We gotta split, baby. That's it for another, groovy, groovy, night. It's been really a pleasure keepin' you company along the highways and bi-ways, man. And, if I helped to keep you awake just a teeny bit, I might have saved your life tonight. You never know. For those of you who wanna dig da Wolfman tomorrow night, I'll be back here same stand, man. Right here, on the big XERB. 50,000-watt clear channel. 10-90 on yer radio dial. And, I'll always be lookin' for you, baby. Hope you'll always be lookin' for me, ya understand? When you love you live... Listen, ah, for those of you who live in southern California, now...Don't forget, your's truely, Wolfman Jack will be back on the air right here on the big XERB from two until six o'clock in the afternoon. Each and every afternoon, right here, on XERB. That's where I'm at, baby. And, for you folks all over the United States, Canada, and Mexico; God bless ya. Keep yer ears clean. BYE!" |
| Baxter, John. Mythmaker:The Life and Times of George Lucas. Avon Books, Inc. New York. 1999. -Fowler, Gene and Bill Crawford. Border Radio. Limelight Editions, New York. 1987, 1990. -"The Making of American Graffiti." (supplmentary documentary by Laurent Bouzereau). American Graffiti. Dir. George Lucas. DVD. Universal Studios, 1973; dist. Universal Home Video, Inc., 1998. -Wolfman Jack and Byron Laursen. Have Mercy! Confessions of the Original Rock 'n' Roll- Animal. Warner Books, New York 1995. -Wolfman Jack and the Border Blasters. Rick Everett. CD. Air-Check Factory.com. 2002. |
| Promo ad. warning the competition. (New York Times Aug. 5, 1973). After working @ KDAY Wolfman moved to New York & did the eve. slot @ WNBC. |
| Wolfman & Bopper in a promotional still for his 1984 cartoon series, WOLF ROCK. |
| Bob "Wolfman Jack" Smith 1938-1995 |
| NOTES: |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| An original 1967 Record Survey |
 |
 |