Given that DJs used to be predominantly regional with their popularity, it took someone really special to find fame beyond their home turf. But when you’ve got a voice like Robert Weston Smith, a.k.a. Wolfman Jack, it’s easy to make a major impression. Indeed, Jack became so popular that he not only made cameos on a few singles, but he also released a single of his own...and, oh, what a single it was!
The Guess Who, “Clap for the Wolfman” (1974)
It’s a testament to Jack’s popularity with the kids that this tune – which is both a tribute to him and on which he’s prominently featured – made it all the way to No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, not to mention No. 4 in The Guess Who’s native Canada.
Flash Cadillac and The Continental Kids, “Did You Boogie (With Your Baby)” (1975)
That this band found an affinity with the Wolfman should come as no surprise, given their appearance in American Graffiti, but the bond continued beyond the film and included the voiceover that kicks off this single, which was a Top 10 hit in Sweden, of all places.
Wolfman Jack, “Free Shots” (1975)
This amazingly funky number was released as a promo-only 45 on Cavda Records to raise awareness about VD. Yes, really. Because when you need information about venereal disease, do you go to your doctor? Of course not: you go to your favorite DJ!
The Stampeders, “Hit the Road Jack” (1976)
This band was formed in Calgary, Alberta, which proves our long-held theory: Canadians love Wolfman Jack. This is one of those tunes that played better at home than away, however, hitting No. 6 in Canada but never making it into the Top 40 in America.
Todd Rundgren, “You Cried Wolf” (1978)
This live version of Rundgren’s classic tune was recorded at the Roxy in May 1978, earning an unofficial release on a 7” entitled Rundgren Comes Alive not long thereafter on a label called Onionhead Records. Thankfully, it eventually saw an official release several decades later, on a live album called All Sides of The Roxy.
Last but not least, we feel obliged to draw a little bit of attention – mostly because there’s so little to say about it – to Wolfman Jack’s short-lived Saturday morning cartoon, Wolf Rock TV. If you don’t remember it, that’s okay, virtually no one else does, either. There’s not even a proper clip of it on YouTube! The best we can offer is a video that offers some stills from the show backed by a very bad audio clip from the series, just to prove that it wasn’t just some fever dream from our childhood.
The network clearly had high enough hopes for the series that they were prepared to merchandise it, but it came to naught when it was cancelled after only a few short weeks. If anyone ever manages to find an episode that’s been uploaded to the ‘net, please let us know, because we’d love to see it again...and then probably forget it again, most likely. But it’s the principle of the thing, you know?
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