# The 1978 smash hit Warren Zevon admitted he ripped off Hunter S Thompson

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-1978-smash-hit-warren-zevon-admitted-he-ripped-off-hunter-s-thompson/
- Published: 2026-07-29T15:18:21+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-29T16:35:35+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/1978-song-warren-zevon-admitted-he-ripped-off-a-gonzo-icon/
- Topics: Music

## Key points

- Zevon said ‘Werewolves of London’ drew from Hunter S Thompson.
- The song became Zevon’s biggest US chart hit.
- It appeared on his 1978 album *Excitable Boy*.

## Summary

Warren Zevon acknowledged that his 1978 hit ‘Werewolves of London’ borrowed its title and central idea from writer Hunter S Thompson, whose gonzo journalism often blended dark humour with surreal imagery. The admission highlights how Zevon drew on literary and cultural influences to create one of his best-known songs, turning a provocative phrase into an enduring rock novelty classic.

Released in 1978 on Zevon’s album *Excitable Boy*, ‘Werewolves of London’ became his biggest commercial success and reached number 21 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song was co-written with LeRoy Marinell and Waddy Wachtel, and its distinctive piano-led arrangement helped make it a staple of classic-rock radio.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.