Origins & Early Life

Robert Weston Smith (January 21, 1938 – July 1, 1995), known as Wolfman Jack, was an American disc jockey active for over three decades. He was famous for his gravelly voice, and credited it with 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." Smith was born in Brooklyn, New York City, on January 21, 1938, the younger of two children of Anson Weston Smith, an Episcopal Sunday school teacher, writer, editor, and executive vice president of Financial World, and his wife, Rosamond Small.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He lived on 12th Street and 4th Avenue and went to Manual Training High School in the Park Slope section. His parents divorced while he was a child. To help keep him out of trouble, his father bought him a large Trans-Oceanic radio, and Smith became a fan of R&B music and the disc jockeys who played it, including Douglas "Jocko" Henderson of Philadelphia; New York's "Dr. Jive", Tommy Smalls; the "Moon Dog" from Cleveland, Alan Freed; and Nashville's "John R." Richbourg, who later became his mentor. After selling encyclopedias and Fuller brushes door-to-door, Smith...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Alan Bond — Contemporary (Born in 1938) (1938): Australian businessman known for high-profile dealings, the America's Cup, and founding Bond University.
• Albert Fert — Contemporary (Born in 1938) (1938): Pioneering physicist known for the discovery of giant magnetoresistance.
• Anthony Leggett — Contemporary (Born in 1938) (1938): Pioneering theoretical physicist known for work on superfluidity and low-temperature quantum systems.
• Adolfo Pedernera — Contemporary (Died in 1995) (1995): Argentine football legend, nicknamed 'El Maestro,' pivotal in the 1940s.
• Alexander Knox — Contemporary (Died in 1995) (1995): Esteemed Canadian actor and writer, known for dramatic roles and literary contributions.
• Brent Faiyaz — Contemporary (Born in 1995) (1995): American R&B singer, songwriter, and producer known for 'sly vocals' and atmospheric sound.
• Aluísio Azevedo — Shared historical date (01-21 · Died) (1913): Pioneering Brazilian Naturalist novelist, diplomat, and literary figure.
• Ashton Eaton — Shared historical date (01-21 · Born) (1988): American decathlete and two-time Olympic champion known for setting world records.
• Babak Khorramdin — Shared historical date (07-01 · Born) (798): 9th-century Iranian revolutionary leader of the Khorram-Dinān rebellion.
• Baybars — Shared historical date (07-01 · Died) (1277): Mamluk Sultan who defeated the Mongols at Ain Jalut and crushed the Crusaders.
• 1938 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1938
• January 21 (01-21) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on January 21
• 1995 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1995
• July 1 (07-01) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on July 1