Sleepy LaBeef facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sleepy LaBeef
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LaBeef performing at the Memphis International Rockabilly Festival, August 2015
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Thomas Paulsley LaBeff |
| Also known as | Tommy LaBeff |
| Born | July 20, 1935 Smackover, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Died | December 26, 2019 (aged 84) Siloam Springs, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Vocals Guitar |
| Years active | 1954–2019 |
| Labels | Starday, Columbia, Plantation, Sun, Charly, Rounder |
Thomas Paulsley LaBeff (born July 20, 1935 – died December 26, 2019), known as Sleepy LaBeef, was an American singer and musician. He was famous for his unique mix of rock and roll, country music, blues, and gospel music. Sleepy LaBeef was also known for his many live performances.
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Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Sleepy LaBeef was born Thomas Paulsley LaBeff in Smackover, Arkansas. He was the youngest of ten children. His family's original name was LaBoeuf. He grew up on a farm where they grew cotton and watermelons. He got the nickname "Sleepy" because he had a "lazy eye," which means one of his eyelids drooped a bit.
As a young person, LaBeef loved music from artists like George Jones and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. He learned to play the guitar. When he was 18, he moved to Houston, Texas. There, he sang gospel music on local radio shows. He also started a band to play in clubs and on radio programs like the Houston Jamboree. Sleepy LaBeef was very tall, standing at about 6 feet 6 inches (2 meters).
Music Career Highlights
In the 1950s, rock and roll music became very popular. Sleepy LaBeef started recording songs in the rockabilly style, which is a mix of rock and country. His first song, "I'm Through," came out in 1957.
In 1964, he moved to Nashville, which is famous for country music. He started recording more country-style songs. In 1968, his song "Every Day" became a small hit, reaching No. 73 on the U.S. Billboard Country chart. Later, in 1971, his song "Blackland Farmer" also charted.
Sleepy LaBeef joined Sun Records in the 1970s. He kept releasing albums and touring a lot. While his fame in the United States faded a bit, he became very popular in Europe. In the 1980s, he signed with Rounder Records and continued to release albums into the 1990s.
He was known for knowing a huge number of songs. He also performed live very often, sometimes doing 300 shows a year! He called his music "root music." This included old-time rock-and-roll, Southern gospel, black blues, and Hank Williams-style country. He toured Europe regularly and played at many music festivals. In 2012, he recorded a live concert and album in Nashville. A movie and CD called Sleepy LaBeef Rides Again came out in 2013. His last performance was in September 2019.
Sleepy LaBeef passed away at his home in Siloam Springs, Arkansas on December 26, 2019. He was 84 years old.
Discography
Sleepy LaBeef released many singles and albums throughout his career. Here are a few examples:
Singles
- "I’m Through" (1957)
- "All The Time" (1957)
- "Ballad Of A Teenage Queen" (1958)
- "Ride On Josephine" (1962)
- "You Can’t Catch Me" (1965)
- "Blackland Farmer" (1969)
Albums
- The Bull’s Night Out (1974)
- Rockabilly 1977 (1978)
- It Ain’t What You Eat, It's the Way How You Chew It (1981)
- Electricity (1982)
- The Human Jukebox (1995)
- Road Warrior (2001)
- Rides Again (2012)
See also
In Spanish: Sleepy LaBeef para niños
