Biography of disc jockey wolfman jack
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Wolfman Jack was a larger than life Radio DJ that broke out after he adopted a persona and created a very interesting character. Can you say marketing?
Dave Young:
Welcome to the Empire Builders Podcast, teaching business owners the not so secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant, story collector, and storyteller. I’m Stephen’s sidekick and business partner, Dave Young. Before we get into today’s episode, a word from our sponsor, which is, well, it’s us, but we’re highlighting ads we’ve written and produced for our clients. So here’s one of those.
[Tapper’s Jewelry Ad]
Dave Young:
Hey guys and gals, midnight Pals, Dave Young here with Stephen Semple, and Stephen whispered in my ear Just now that today we’re going to talk about Wolfman Jack, famous disc jockey, American disc jockey on a Mexican radio station.
Stephen Semple:
Can you do the howl?
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Wolfman Jack
American DJ and music TV host (1938–1995)
For the American blues artist, see Howlin' Wolf. For the Todd Rundgren song, see Something/Anything?
Wolfman Jack | |
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Jack in 1979 | |
Born | Robert Weston Smith (1938-01-21)January 21, 1938 Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. |
Died | July 1, 1995(1995-07-01) (aged 57) Belvidere, North Carolina, U.S. |
Occupations |
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Years active | 1960–1995 |
Spouse | Lucy "Lou" Lamb |
Children | 2 |
Robert Weston Smith (January 21, 1938 – July 1, 1995), known as Wolfman Jack, was an American disc jockey active for over three decades.[1] Famous for the grusig voice which he credited for his success, saying, "It's kept meat and potatoes on the table for years for Wolfman and Wolfwoman. A couple of shots of whiskey helps it. I've got that nice raspy sound."[2]
Early life
[edit]Smith was born in Brooklyn, New Yor
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Wolfman Jack (Robert Weston Smith)
(b. 21 January 1938 in Brooklyn, New York; d. 1 July 1995 in Belvidere, North Carolina), legendary radio personality, television host, actor, and commercial spokesperson.
Smith was the younger of two children of Anson Weston Smith, Jr., an Episcopal Sunday school teacher, writer, editor, and executive vice president of the Financial World, and Rosamund Small. His parents divorced while Smith was young. His father, who suffered financial losses during the Great Depression, sold shoes for a time, then started his own public relations consulting firm and wrote for the Wall Street Transcript. Both parents remarried and shared custody of Smith and his sister.
Smith later referred to himself as a “budding juvenile delinquent,” and his father bought him a large transoceanic radio to keep him out of trouble. Smith became an avid fan of rhythm and blues (R&B) and the disc jockeys who promoted it, such as Philadelphia’s “Jocko” Henderson, New