Life and Career of Wolfman Jack Quiz

Answer: Smith

Wolfman Jack was born Robert Weston Smith. He was inspired to use the name Wolfman Jack after he began his radio career by the blues singer Howlin' Wolf. Johnny Thunder on "That '70s Show" based his character on Wolfman Jack. Smith was also an avid listener of early Rock and Roll DJ Alan Freed who called himself "The Moondog".

Answer: Daddy Jules

In 1960 Newport News, Virginia, AM radio station WYOU-AM gave Robert Smith his first radio slot. Prior to getting his assignment in Newport News he had to obtain a FCC license. When he finally got a regular slot he called himself "Daddy Jules".

Answer: Shreveport, Louisiana

Shreveport station KCIJ took Smith on board where he broadcast under the name of "Big Smith" for a short time while he began developing his Wolfman Jack persona. Later that year he was hired by radio entrepreneur Ramon Bosquez to broadcast from XERB-AM out of Rosarito Beach in Mexico.

The station featured a high powered transmitter and Wolfman Jack was allowed free reign to develop his dedication lines, sound effects and programming. He became famous for broadcasting the on-air hi-jinks when callers came on the line and soon developed a widespread and loyal following. If weather conditions were right the 50,000 watt signal could be heard as far away as Canada, New England and New York.

Answer: A Session with the Committee

Prior to the movie "A Session with the Committee" Wolfman Jack was a mysterious radio personality and few people actually knew what he looked like. Before settling on the goatee look he tried growing an Afro, using dark makeup, growing his hair forward and wearing oversize sunglasses. "A Session with the Committee" was a movie consisting of a revue of skits by a comedy troupe calling themselves "The Committee". Howard Hesseman was also in the film.

He went on to play DJ Dr. Johnny Fever on "WKRP" Cincinnati" (1978-1982). In return for his appearance in the 1973 film "American Graffiti", Wolfman Jack was offered a fraction of the residuals by George Lucas. Because the movie was so popular he realized a lifetime steady income from the role. He also appeared in the 1979 follow-up, "More American Graffiti". "Don't Knock the Rock" was released in the fifties.

Answer: The Midnight Special

In addition to announcing "The Midnight Special" Wolfman Jack occasionally hosted the program. In 1976 Canadian CBC Television gave the Wolfman his own show appropriately titled "The Wolfman Jack Show". It was also syndicated to various stations in the United States for a season.

He was also a radio spokesman for Clearasil and did television promos for Honda's Rebel motorcycle. Among other television shows that featured The Wolfman as a guest star or occasional cast member were "What's Happening!" (1976-1979) and "Galactica 1980". Los Angeles DJ Jimmy O'Neill hosted the sixties musical show "Shindig". "Hullabaloo" was a sixties musical variety show that was replaced by "The Monkees" in 1966. Dick Clark created "Where the Action Is" in the sixties.

The show featured regulars such as Paul Revere and the Raiders. Freddy Cannon charted the theme song for the show.

Answer: The Moonlight Special/Ray Stevens

"The Moonlight Special" is a Ray Stevens parody of Wolfman Jack featuring a disc-jockey called Mr. Sheepdog. In 1974 The Guess Who released the Top Forty hit "Clap for the Wolfman", which features the Wolfman doing a voice-over to the music. The following year another Canadian Group called The Stampeders recorded their version of "Hit the Road Jack" about a character who was being given the door by his girlfriend and is asking Jack to come live with him. Jack hangs up on him at the end of the record.

The number 29 "Did You Boogie (With Your Baby)" by Flash Cadillac & The Continental Kids featured The Wolfman the following year. Another song incorporating his unique voice was "Don't Call Us, We'll Call You" by Sugarloaf. It peaked at number 9 in 1975. Wolfman is further mentioned in the Grateful Dead song "Ramble on Rose".

In 1972 The Wolfman released his own eponymous album on Wooden Nickel records. A single release from the LP called "I Ain't Never Seen a White Man" peaked at number 106.

Answer: Have Mercy!: Confessions of the Original Rock 'N' Roll Animal

Warner Books released the 362 page autobiography in 1995 titled "Have Mercy!: Confessions of the Original Rock 'N' Roll Animal". In the book he begins his radio journey as an ad man and continues the story of his career developing pirate radio and his relationships with many of rock's famous pioneers such as Elvis and Chuck Berry. "Wolfman Hits the Road, Jack" is a Paul Levinson Village Voice article about The Wolfman's early work in New York. "Howlin' on the Air" is a 1998 compilation CD of various clips by The Wolfman. "Border Radio" is a book written by Gene Fowler and Bill Crawford about the history of border radio.

Answer: The Midnight Hour

In "The Midnight Hour" several teens raise the dead on Halloween in the fictional town of Pitchford Cove. Shari Belafonte, LeVar Burton and Dick van Patten are among the cast in the horror movie directed by Jack Bender.
Gene Simmons based his character of Nuke on Wolfman Jack in 1985's "Trick or Treat". "DJ Boy" is an arcade game featuring Wolfman Jack's voice. "The Hilarious House of Frightenstein" is a Canadian children show featuring a character played by Billy Van similar to The Wolfman.

Answer: Motel Hell

Kevin Connor directs "Motel Hell" which stars Rory Calhoun as a farmer who runs a motel where he also makes the best smoked meats around. Of course the secret ingredient is human flesh and the movie centers around various victims who become ingredients.

The actual name of the motel is "Motel Hello", but the "O" on the sign doesn't always work. In addition to featuring Wolfman Jack there is also a cameo appearance by John Ratzenberger as a drummer in a band as well as a co-starring role by 1979 Playmate of the Year Monique St.Pierre.

In 1988's "Mortuary Academy" Wolfman plays a character named Bernie Berkowitz. He plays himself in the 1978 flick "Hanging on A Star" and also in 1980 in "Conquest of the Earth".

Answer: Hollywood Squares

The original "Hollywood Squares" ran from 1965 to 1981 and featured The Wolfman on episodes in various squares. Paul Lynde, Morey Amsterdam, Charo and Joan Rivers were among the many regulars who were featured on the show. It has been revived three times since the original run ended in 1981.
"Tattletales" was hosted By Bert Convy from 1974-1978. Gene Rayburn hosted "The Match Game" which ran from 1962 to 1984 and has also had various revivals. "Celebrity Sweepstakes" only lasted through the 1974 season and was hosted by Jim McKrell.
Sadly Wolfman was only 57 when he passed away suddenly from a heart attack in is South Carolina home in 1995. He was giving his wife a hug when he passed. Clips of his shows can still be heard on XM Radio's "Sixties at Six".