Sleepy LaBeef

Sleepy LaBeef (b. Thomas Paulsley LaBeff, July 20, 1935, Smackover, Arkansas) is an American rockabilly musician.

LaBeef stands 6'7" tall and was given the nickname "Sleepy" from the appearance of his eyes. Born in Arkansas, he was raised on a melon farm and moved to Houston when he was 18. There, he sang gospel music on local radio and put together a bar band to play venues as well as radio programs such as the "Houston Jamboree" and "Louisiana Hayride".

In the 1950s, as the rockabilly craze heated up, LaBeef began recording singles in the genre; his first, "I'm Through", was issued on Starday Records in 1957. In 1964, he moved to Nashville and moved to a more solidly country style, recording singles for Columbia Records. His first genuine hit was 1968's "Every Day", which peaked at #73 on the U.S. Billboard Country charts. [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:jifqxqe5ldde~T5 Billboard Singles] , Allmusic.com] After moving to Plantation Records in 1969, he scored a second hit in 1971 with "Blackland Farmer", which charted at #67. Around this time LaBeef also starred in the horror movie "The Exotic Ones". LaBeef transferred to Sun Records in the 1970s and continued releasing albums and touring widely; his popularity flagged in America but rose in Europe. [ [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:jifqxqe5ldde~T1 Sleepy LaBeef] at Allmusic] The 1980s saw him sign to Rounder Records, where he released albums into the 1990s.

Discography

Singles

Albums

* 1974: "The Bull’s Night Out"
* 1976: "Western Gold"
* 1978: "Rockabilly 1977"
* 1978: "Beefy Rockabilly"
* 1979: "Early, Rare and Rockin’ Sides"
* 1979: "Downhome Rockabilly" (Sun Records)
* 1979: "Downhome Rockabilly" (Charley Records)
* 1979: "Rockabilly Heavyweight" (with Dave Travis)
* 1979: "Sleepy LaBeef and Friends" (Ace Records)
* 1979: "Sleepy LaBeef and Friends" (Ace-Chiswick Records)
* 1980: "Early, Rare and Rockin’ Sides" (re-release)
* 1980: "Downhome Rockabilly" (re-release)
* 1981: "It Ain’t What You Eat" (Rounder Records)
* 1992: "Nothin’ But The Truth" (Rounder Records)
* 1994: "Strange Things Happen"
* 1995: "The Human Jukebox" (Rounder Records)
* 1996: "I’ll Never Lay My Guitar Down" (Rounder Records)
* 1996: "Larger Than Life" (6 CD-Box, compilation)
* 1997: "A Rockin’ Decade"
* 1999: "Flyin’ Saucer Rock’n’Roll: The Very Best Of Sleepy LaBeef"
* 1999: "The Bulls’s Ride Out & Western Gold"
* 2000: "Tomorrow Never Comes"
* 2001: "Rockabilly Blues"
* 2001: "Road Warrior"

References

External links

* [http://www.sleepylabeef.com/ Official website]