Wolfman Jack more than A gravelly voice to some
July 5, 1995
Sadly to say, after reading three Sunday papers last week, one of the few inspiring things I came across was the obituary of Wolfman Jack, who died Saturday morning of a heart attack after a 21-day trip to promote his book. It was not inspiring because I was glad to see him pass, but because it sparked a couple of memories I have of the man.
I had the chance to see Wolfman back in 1990 at one of those touring oldies shows he hosted featuring a bunch of old rockers and new bands imitating old rockers. Though he was way past his prime and his howl had diminished somewhat, he still had that something that made him famous many years ago. I think he himself knew the show was a step down from what he once did, but he seemed happy just to have someone to howl for.
It was a different time when Wolfman was in his prime. It was the time of Kennedy, baseball was still honorable, most everyone still believed in the American dream, and he was eating popsicles in a radio station in American Graffiti.
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Wolfman was just as much a part of this as anyone. And from his howl, a whole youthful generation was linked.
It is not to say that all is right in the world today, but Wolfman was in his prime during the early to mid-60’s; the time of segregation, and the oppression of women and gays, to name just a few of the period’s problems.
But throughout, he always found a bright spot in the middle of it all.
Somewhere along the way things have changed. Now, cynicism is the main vice of radio-television personalities. From Rush Limbaugh to Howard Stern, hardly anyone wants to speak from the heart.
It is hate and accusations which in the end seperates us all into categories such as Democrats and Republicans when actually we are living in a time when we have less to complain about.
And if a radio-television personality is not cynical, they probably have that suave silky smooth voice that is dull as a butter knife. The Wolfman on the other hand gave it all every minute he was on the air.
Though most of today’s youth could not even tell you who Wolfman was, those who do know will truly miss the greatest radio man of all time.
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