Biography - Wolfman Jack | The Voice of Rock & Roll

Early Life in Brooklyn

Robert Weston Smith was born on January 21, 1938, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Raised in a modest household, young Robert developed an early fascination with radio and music. He would spend hours listening to late-night broadcasts, captivated by the mysterious voices that seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere at once.

His family moved to California when he was a teenager, settling in the San Francisco Bay Area. It was there that Smith's passion for broadcasting truly took root. He began experimenting with amateur radio and dreamed of one day having his own show, unaware that he would eventually become one of the most recognizable voices in American radio history.

The Birth of Wolfman Jack

Smith's radio career began in the early 1960s at several small stations, but it was his move to the border blaster station XERF in Ciudad Acuña, Mexico, that would change everything. Operating with a massive 50,000-watt transmitter, XERF's signal could reach deep into the United States and Canada, bypassing FCC regulations.

It was here that Robert Smith transformed himself into Wolfman Jack. Drawing inspiration from horror movie characters and his own wild imagination, he created a persona that was equal parts frightening and fascinating. His gravelly voice, infectious laugh, and signature howl became instantly recognizable to millions of listeners across North America.

The Wolfman would play the latest rock & roll records, interspersed with his manic commentary, wolf howls, and an energy that seemed to leap right out of the radio. He wasn't just a disc jockey; he was a showman, an entertainer, and a friend to lonely teenagers everywhere.

Career Timeline

1938

Birth of a Legend

Robert Weston Smith is born in Brooklyn, New York, on January 21st.

1950s

California Dreams

Family moves to California. Robert discovers his passion for radio and begins experimenting with broadcasting.

1962

First Radio Jobs

Smith begins working at small radio stations, developing his on-air persona and style.

1963

The Wolfman is Born

Robert Smith creates the Wolfman Jack character and begins broadcasting from XERF in Mexico.

1964-1970

Border Blaster Era

The Wolfman becomes a phenomenon, reaching millions of listeners across North America with his powerful 50,000-watt signal.

1972

American Graffiti

Wolfman Jack appears in George Lucas's film "American Graffiti," cementing his place in pop culture history.

1973

National Syndication

The Wolfman Jack Show becomes nationally syndicated, bringing his voice to even more listeners across America.

1970s-1980s

Television Appearances

Wolfman Jack appears on numerous TV shows including "The Midnight Special" and hosts his own programs.

1989

Hollywood Walk of Fame

Wolfman Jack receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, recognizing his contributions to entertainment.

1995

Final Broadcast

Wolfman Jack passes away on July 1, 1995, but his legacy continues to inspire new generations.

Behind the Persona

Despite his larger-than-life on-air persona, Robert Smith was known to friends and family as a warm, generous, and deeply caring individual. He married Lucy Lamb in 1961, and together they had two children, Joy and Tod. Lucy was his rock and constant supporter throughout his career.

Smith was passionate about helping young broadcasters and often mentored aspiring radio personalities. He believed in the power of radio to connect people and bring joy into their lives. Off the air, he was known for his quick wit, kind heart, and genuine love for music and his listeners.

The Wolfman Jack character allowed Smith to express parts of himself that might otherwise have remained hidden. In many ways, the Wolfman was Robert Smith unleashed - free to be wild, creative, and unapologetically enthusiastic about the music he loved.