He was one of the earliest syndicated Disc Jockeys during the golden age of Rock n Roll. Smith in 1963 played out of XERF-AM in Mexico across the border from Del Rio Texas. This station had a high-powered border blaster signal that could be picked up across most of the United States. In an interview with writer Tom Miller, Wolfman Jack described the reach of the XERF signal: "We had the most powerful signal in North America. Birds dropped dead when they flew too close to the tower. A car driving from New York to L.A. would never lose the station." Most of the border stations broadcast at 250,000 watts, five times the U.S. limit, meaning that their signals were picked up all over North America, and at night as far away as Europe and the Soviet Union. It was there at XERF that Smith developed his signature raspy style (with phrases like "Who's this on the Wolfman telephone?") and widespread fame. The border stations made money by renting time to Pentecostal preachers and psychics, and by taking 50 percent of the profit from anything sold by mail order. The Wolfman did pitches for dog food, weight-loss pills, weight-gain pills, rose bushes, and baby chicks. There was even a pill called Florex, which was supposed to enhance one's sex drive. "Some zing for your ling nuts", the Wolfman would say.
In 1971 the Mexican government decided that their Catholic citizens had enough of the Pentecostal preachers and that destroyed most of the revenue for the radio station.
Smith received a second life after the 1973 George Lucas movie, American Graffiti, and the financial success of American Graffiti provided him with a regular income for life.
"The radio DJ with the distinctive voice was part of Lucas' teenage years in Modesto, California, and Lucas even considered making a documentary about him when he was a student at USC's film school. When American Graffiti made him a millionaire, Lucas paid the Wolfman a little extra for serving as the film's 'inspiration.'" ~Eric D Snider
He also appeared in the film's 1979 sequel More American Graffiti, though only through voice-overs. In 1978, he appeared as Bob "The Jackal" Smith in a made-for-TV movie Deadman's Curve based on the musical careers of Jan and Dean. Smith also appeared in several television shows as Wolfman Jack, including The Odd Couple, What's Happening!!, Vega$, Wonder Woman, Hollywood Squares, Married... with Children, Emergency! S5Ep5, and Galactica 1980.
He also hosted a 1976 Canadian variety television series, and he lent his voice to the Guess Who's "Clap for the Wolfman" and the Stampeder's 1975 hit "Hit the Road Jack" (both Canadian bands).
Wolfman Jack was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1996.
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