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Have Mercy! Confessions of the Original Rock 'N' Roll Animal
The personal story of Wolfman Jack reveals the advent of his alter ego, multiple broadcast successes, appearance in American Grafitti, battle with drugs, and many celebrity adventures. 75,000 first printing. $75,000 ad/promo. Tour.
362 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1995
3 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Wolfman Jack
26 books2 followersRobert Weston Smith (January 21, 1938 – July 1, 1995), known as Wolfman Jack, was an American disc jockey active for over three decades. Famous for the gravelly 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."
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 25, 2018
“My Mom won’t let me listen to Wolfman Jack because he’s a Negro.” -- Carol, the 12-year-old girl in “American Graffiti”. Other characters in the movie have him pegged as a Mexican-American broadcasting from an airplane as it flies over California. Still others believed he was broadcasting from a megawatt station in Mexico.
In real life, back in the 60s, the situation was just as confusing. But the confusion is now over. Wolfman Jack tells the whole story in his memoir.
In real life, back in the 60s, the situation was just as confusing. But the confusion is now over. Wolfman Jack tells the whole story in his memoir.
November 9, 2014
What a fascinating man! His story is so unique (as was his life) and it gave me a great look into the life of a man I spent many hours listening to on the radio. Wish I'd read it before he'd died so I could have thanked him for all the wonderful music he brought into our lives.
June 1, 2016
They say you cant judge a book by it's cover but in this case that old saying may not apply. After all, if it looks like a good time it just might be a good time. The cover of this book spells good time and it's content didn't disappoint.
Who doesn't remember Wolfman Jack? Well many of the younger generation probably won't and maybe even a few from my generation. Those of you who were lucky enough to be touched by his charismatic and powerful voice in the night, spinning some if the most memorable tunes of the ages, we were truly blessed. I can still remember listening in to him growing up in Calgary Alberta Canada on one of our local stations that picked up a national feed of his syndicated radio show (630 CKXL perhaps).
He was like no other, he was the true original, he was THE Wolfman Jack...and this book is a testament t0 his true story. Robert Weston Smith was born in 1938 in Manhattan. He really got his start punching buttons on a Wurlitzer juke box while his older sister and her teenage friends danced around. Music and opportunity provided him with all the incentive he needed to go out and find fame and fortune, but not without obstacles and colorful stories/characters to keep him company.
In a day and age when our air waves are clogged with the Howard Sterns and the Ryan Seacrests there will never be another WOLFMAN Jack. A broken family, getting in trouble, a burning passion for music led the Wolfman to a one way ticket out of his Father's home. His Father gave him $300.00 and wished him luck. He turned the cash into a land yacht Buick, loaded it up with his buddy Richie and they drove off into the sunset bound for Hollywood. A one night stop at his Sister and her families home gave him something he had needed for his whole life. A real family and a sense of belonging...for now Hollywood would wait or would it?
The author has a real ease with his story telling, almost like sitting down and having a cup of coffee with an old friend. Some of his stories would seem almost too out there to be true if it wasn't for his openness and disclosure like a kid, "saying you caught me"!
I enjoyed reading this book very much and would recommend it to anyone with a passion for music and music history. Wolfman Jack is a true media and radio icon and with this book being such a wonderful reminder of his life a person can't help but wanting to smile and "Clap For the Wolfman"!
Who doesn't remember Wolfman Jack? Well many of the younger generation probably won't and maybe even a few from my generation. Those of you who were lucky enough to be touched by his charismatic and powerful voice in the night, spinning some if the most memorable tunes of the ages, we were truly blessed. I can still remember listening in to him growing up in Calgary Alberta Canada on one of our local stations that picked up a national feed of his syndicated radio show (630 CKXL perhaps).
He was like no other, he was the true original, he was THE Wolfman Jack...and this book is a testament t0 his true story. Robert Weston Smith was born in 1938 in Manhattan. He really got his start punching buttons on a Wurlitzer juke box while his older sister and her teenage friends danced around. Music and opportunity provided him with all the incentive he needed to go out and find fame and fortune, but not without obstacles and colorful stories/characters to keep him company.
In a day and age when our air waves are clogged with the Howard Sterns and the Ryan Seacrests there will never be another WOLFMAN Jack. A broken family, getting in trouble, a burning passion for music led the Wolfman to a one way ticket out of his Father's home. His Father gave him $300.00 and wished him luck. He turned the cash into a land yacht Buick, loaded it up with his buddy Richie and they drove off into the sunset bound for Hollywood. A one night stop at his Sister and her families home gave him something he had needed for his whole life. A real family and a sense of belonging...for now Hollywood would wait or would it?
The author has a real ease with his story telling, almost like sitting down and having a cup of coffee with an old friend. Some of his stories would seem almost too out there to be true if it wasn't for his openness and disclosure like a kid, "saying you caught me"!
I enjoyed reading this book very much and would recommend it to anyone with a passion for music and music history. Wolfman Jack is a true media and radio icon and with this book being such a wonderful reminder of his life a person can't help but wanting to smile and "Clap For the Wolfman"!
December 21, 2014
The badHave Mercy is "real"! It's a 'must read'!
Bob Smith, aka Wolfman Jack, tells it like it is...the good, the bad and the ugly. He should be the poster boy for good time rock 'n roll and spreading happiness to all. He was in the "business"of radio running a number of stations before he assumed the persona of Wolfman. His detailed story of his time at the border blaster XERF is incredible...and unbelievable but true. Wolf doesn't sugarcoat anything. He tells it as it happened naming names in the process. I'll read this again and again!!
Bob Smith, aka Wolfman Jack, tells it like it is...the good, the bad and the ugly. He should be the poster boy for good time rock 'n roll and spreading happiness to all. He was in the "business"of radio running a number of stations before he assumed the persona of Wolfman. His detailed story of his time at the border blaster XERF is incredible...and unbelievable but true. Wolf doesn't sugarcoat anything. He tells it as it happened naming names in the process. I'll read this again and again!!
September 28, 2016
The stuff he and friends did, it is a wonder he survived! Interesting read I must say.
April 20, 2024
Wow just got done reading the Wolfmans book but was astound by his passing just after its release...so shocking! The first I heard of the Wolfman was on my parents car radio late at night while coming back to Colusa, Ca on a lonely highway 20 with all its curvy turns. Hearing that voice and his howl would scare the bejesus out of my brother and I in the back seat.
While living in good ole Modesto, Ca home of George Lucus and the great...American Griffiti, the Wolfman would come over and help kickoff Hot August Nights, the start of Griffiti Week, some would keep on cruising to Reno, Nv!
Hey Wolfman...your spirit lives in all your fans and we love ya...Have Mercy!
While living in good ole Modesto, Ca home of George Lucus and the great...American Griffiti, the Wolfman would come over and help kickoff Hot August Nights, the start of Griffiti Week, some would keep on cruising to Reno, Nv!
Hey Wolfman...your spirit lives in all your fans and we love ya...Have Mercy!
August 18, 2019
This book is a hoot! If you enjoyed Wolfman on the radio, this is for you! When the book was finally up for sale he was going on a promo tour. As he left the house, he turned around to go back and give his wife one last kiss. He dropped dead on their sidewalk from a massive heart attack. Proves if you are a celebrity, don't wait until you are really old to write your life story. Fascinating tales.
July 28, 2021
Phenomenal read, great addition to the musician, producer, promoter, roadie books I’ve read. I was never a big fan of WJ, but I appreciate what he did a lot. He was a huge influence on radio and getting a ton of obscure music to the masses. I see that he died in 1995, the year this book was released. 57 was far too young, I’m glad to have met him through his story and will try to keep his positive attitude and approach in my heart in the future.
January 3, 2025
Fantastic!!
Without a doubt this book rates as one of my favorites. Having been in the Radio profession for over 20 years, I truly understood where Wolfman was coming from. This book brought back so many memories of my days in broadcasting.
I worked at a radio station that ran the Wolfman Jack show every week. What a trip.
It is so sad that we lost him 10 years ago. He may be gone, but Wolf's memory will last forever.
HAVE MERCY!
Without a doubt this book rates as one of my favorites. Having been in the Radio profession for over 20 years, I truly understood where Wolfman was coming from. This book brought back so many memories of my days in broadcasting.
I worked at a radio station that ran the Wolfman Jack show every week. What a trip.
It is so sad that we lost him 10 years ago. He may be gone, but Wolf's memory will last forever.
HAVE MERCY!
June 5, 2023
Clap for the Wolfman. A good soul. Enjoyed radio history and his influence with the gospel and music happiness. "Have Mercy" is a different kind of gospel with soul that will move you to be decent and good to your fellow man and celebrate the good times while dropping the heavy load of life. After all, it was written by Bishop Wolfman Jack.
https://youtu.be/uX8Nj8ABEI8
https://youtu.be/uX8Nj8ABEI8
January 5, 2021
Wolfman Jacks book was very interesting. The days of radio, which had preachers paying for airtime and Jack gouging them, to his shootout in the desert with banditos that held interest in the station, it was at least as rock in roll in real life as it was on the airwaves. Good book.
Read
March 1, 2021An incredible story by an American original. If you have followed the blues, rock, and soul music over the years (1955-1985), this story will make you smile and remind you of all the great music we've seen and heard here.
June 1, 2023
What an amazing story by one of the greatest djs. I always thought the life of a dj was fun, but who knew it would be that adventurous. This book is a great insight into who Wolfman Jack is and how he came to be. I look forward to using those lessons in my on air personality.
July 15, 2020
Fun and uplifting read. The nuggets here are the recountings of his early days in radio and the outlaw stations he worked for in Mexico. He was the greatest DJ ever!
October 30, 2020
Loved this book. Amazing stories, spirit and a fun enjoyable message of love, unity and respect for others.
January 22, 2021
A fun read
June 14, 2019
This book brought back a ton of memories from my high school and early married life days. During high school, in southern West Virginia, we used to listen to the Wolfman on XERF up on 1570 AM. Later, living in the Phoenix, AZ area, he was a fixture on XERB located south of San Diego. XERF still is on the air with 250KW, but XERB now is a low power station in SE Mexico. Perhaps another callsign has replaced the powerhouse shooting up a very directional signal through California and to the North, but I haven't checked it out.
The book, published in 1995 with assistance from a professional writer, is a very detailed blow-by-blow (intentional pun) account of radio stations and radio shows and concerts and famed people and ... and ... and is interesting, almost to a fault as the life he led continued to be incredible. But each page became sort of similar to the last one, and while I was glad to re-encounter the songs and the artists of my youth, I was glad to reach his final, family-friendly summary. Also pleased that the real Bob Smith made it to the present, since I haven't read of his demise.
The book, published in 1995 with assistance from a professional writer, is a very detailed blow-by-blow (intentional pun) account of radio stations and radio shows and concerts and famed people and ... and ... and is interesting, almost to a fault as the life he led continued to be incredible. But each page became sort of similar to the last one, and while I was glad to re-encounter the songs and the artists of my youth, I was glad to reach his final, family-friendly summary. Also pleased that the real Bob Smith made it to the present, since I haven't read of his demise.
June 16, 2016
Wolfman Jack embodied the spirit of rock and roll - the wildness, fun, and freedom that made the music magical in its early days. This is his life story, complete with hard times, wild times, but most of all, good times. Like any book about the music industry, it's filled with stories of rock legends, but "Have Mercy" also gives a glimpse into the heart of the Wolfman. His philosophy for living was simple - be good to everybody, and have a good time. But it's this philosophy that made him a pop cultural icon, and ensures his place in music history forever.
March 17, 2011
I don't have the exact read start and finish dates on many books I have read this year. The dates are approximated, as I have been in & out of the hospital, and on bed rest, and read 2-5 books a day depending on the book & length and my ability to focus. All dates are approximated, by month.
August 15, 2011
Growing up in the 70's I can remember listening to the Wolfman on my little AM radio. So I looked forward to hearin more about this legend. The story is captivating and keeps you wanting to learn more. An excellent read.
September 11, 2012
Autobiography with help of a ghostwriter. Probably sanitized but a fun read about an interesting time. Connection to 'border blasters' and "American Graffiti" are interesting. Says he gave up a role on "Happy Days" to do a musical tour. Would have been a life changer.
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March 26, 2016Great book! Really one that all rock 'n roll fans should be reading as he was an integral part, especially the early music....50's, 60's and 70's..... I remember the Wolfman from the movie "American Graffiti" and he talks about that time... very kind man too.
July 19, 2014
pretty wild ride
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March 21, 2015Enjoyable fast read. The man worked hard to get to where he wanted to be. Had fun along the way.
January 19, 2016
Great book! Very interesting. What a life he had.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews