Have Mercy!: Confessions of the Original Rock 'N' Roll Animal [Hardcover]

Wolfman Jack (Author), Byron Laursen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1995

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.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Host of America's first syndicated rock-and-roll radio program and the inspiration for George Lucas's American Graffiti, Bob Smith, aka Wolfman Jack, is one of radio's legendary figures, and this autobiography reveals that his life has been as colorful as his broadcasts. Wolfman recounts his childhood passion for the black music ignored by mainstream radio in the 1950s, his lowly beginnings as an ad rep for a small station in Norfolk, Va., and the wild story of his career as a radio DJ near the Mexican border?a career initiated by a wild west-style shootout with one station's owners. Writing with Laursen (Show Time), Wolfman dishes out his take on the politics of the music industry, the many music-biz celebrities he's known and what it's like to live a rock-and-roll lifestyle. His fast-paced story is peppered with generous tributes to the musicians?Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, Elvis Presley and a slew of others?who "supplied the original heart of rock 'n' roll." Rock music fans will find inspiration in these memoirs of a man whose finger has been on the pulse of American rock for decades. Photos. Author tour.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Baby boomers will howl for this memoir from the popular personality.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 362 pages
• Publisher: Warner Books (June 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446517429
• ISBN-13: 978-0446517423
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #558,190 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best on air personality of all time!!, April 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Have Mercy!: Confessions of the Original Rock 'N' Roll Animal (Hardcover)

The spirt of "Wolfman" Jack lives in this book!! I think that too many radio DJs these days think boring is good! "Wolfman" Jack always took it to the edge. He made you want to hear more. Today you listen to the radio to hear a song or two that is "the new or hot thing of the day." "Wolfman" always played such a mix of music and even help make a few others career. He is a force that is missed in radio today. He will always be my favorite of all time. Long live "Wolfman" Jack!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If it could only be now as it was then.., October 4, 2008

By 

B. Mclaird "Lotus503" (Kansas City, Missouri) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Have Mercy!: Confessions of the Original Rock 'N' Roll Animal (Hardcover)

This is a great history of both the Wolfman and early jazz and blues, leading into rock and roll. I sure wish current radio was as it was in the 1960s and 1970s. This country would be a better place.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should be required reading for everyone in radio today!, April 14, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Have Mercy!: Confessions of the Original Rock 'N' Roll Animal (Hardcover)

This book describes radio the way it used to be...the way it should still be. DJ's were real live personalities, not a computer, and they played your requests. I never got to hear the Wolfman on the air but because of this book I consider myself one of his biggest fans. If you are in radio, thinking about a career in radio, or if you are a true radio fan you simply must read this book.