History
Sleepy's history
- Smackover, AR - Sleepy was born Thomas Pausley LaBeff in Smackover Arkansas on July 20, 1935. He worked alongside his parents in the fields of their watermelon farm. Legend has it that he traded his .22 gun for a guitar. He was inspired to pursue a life in music by a handful of musical deacons/pastors and Sister Rosetta Tharpe.
- Houston, TX - Sleepy moved to Houston, TX with his first wife, Louise. The two of them performed together at churches and honky tonks, even opening for Elvis at the Houston Jamboree. Their children Melody and Harmony Paul were born and it soon became logistically impossible for Louise to continue to perform. Meanwhile, Sleepy's solo career was taking off. Eventually this disparity led to the dissolution of their marriage and they went their separate ways. In these early years, Sleepy recorded a number of singles/EPs including All The Time/Lonely with Mercury Records and All Alone with Starday Records.
- Nashville, TN -
- Amesbury, MA - Sleepy was leaving a gig in Maine, headed south on Hwy 95 when his newly refurbished touring bus caught on fire. The majority of the band possessions in the bus were destroyed—instruments, vinyl records, clothes. Sleepy and the band managed to take the skeleton of the bus and limp along to the next gig at Alan's Truck Stop in Amesbury, MA where they ended up camping out for a couple months.
- El Dorado, AR
- Springdale, AR
Young Sleepy LaBeef
Discography
Sleepy's discography
- All The Time/Lonely (1957, Mercury Records, EP)
- All Alone (1957, Starday Records, Single)
- Completely Destroyed (1967, Columbia Records, Single)
- Sure Beats The Heck Outta Settlin' Down (1967, Columbia Records, Single)
- If I Go Right I'm Wrong (1968, Columbia Records, Single)
- Too Much Monkey Business (1970, Festival Records, Single)
- Asphalt Cowboy (1971, Plantation Records, Single)
- Got You On My Mind (1971, Plantation Records, Single)
- Blackland Farmer (1971, Plantation Records, Single)
- The Bull's Night Out (1974, Sun Records, Album)
- Ghost Riders in the Sky (1975, Sun Records, Single)
- Western Gold (1976, Sun Records, Album)
- There Ain't Much After Taxes (1976, Sun Records, Single)
- 1977 Rockabilly (1978, Sun Records, Album)
- Good Rockin' Boogie/Matilda (1978, Sun Records, EP)
- Good Rockin' Boogie/Corina, Corina (1978, Charly Records, EP)
- Beefy Rockabilly (1978, Charly Records, Album)
- Rockabilly Heavyweight (1979, Charly Records, Album)
- Hello Josephine (1979, Charly Records, Single)
- Roll Over Beethoven (1979, Charly Records, Single)
- Sleepin' in Spain (1979, Auvi, Album)
- Downhome Rockabilly (1979, Sun, Album)
- Boogie Woogie Country (1979, Sun Records, Single)
- Breaking Up My Home Again (1980, Rounder Records, Single)
- Rock & Roll Ruby (1980, Rounder Records, Single)
- It Ain't What You Eat It'd The Way How You Chew It (1981, Rounder Records, Album)
- Electricity (1982, Rounder Records, Album)
- Nothin' But The Truth (1986, Rounder Records, Album)
- Strange Things Happening (1994, Rounder Records, Album)
- Big Balls in Cowtown (1994, Tomb Records, Album)
- I'll Never Lay My Guitar Down (1996, Papa Music, Album)
- Tomorrow Never Comes (2000, M.C. Records, Album)
- Rockabilly Blues (2001, Bullseye Blues & Jazz, Album)
- Good Rockin Boogie (2003, Star-Club Records, Album)
- Roots (2008, Ponk Media, Albums)
- Rides Again (2012, Earwave Records, Album)
- Downhome Roackbilly (Sun, Album)
Legacy
Sleepy's legacy
MUSICAL LEGACY
While Sleepy has an impressive discography of music, he is primarily remembered for his kickin, stompin' live shows. He was affectionately known as The Human Jukebox as he had memorized countless songs and would string them together into formidable medleys. He kept his band on their toes with short stops and quick changes; he expected them to bring their best to every show. Various news outlets pegged Sleepy as a road warrior. Sleepy brought the show and his family on the road, frequently touring internationally.
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SPIRITUAL LEGACY
Sleepy's religious and political opinions were kept off the stage but those who were close to him knew that he was a firm believer in Jesus Christ as the way to salvation. In fact, a number of former bandmates left the music scene to serve in ministry after having a transformative experience with Sleepy.
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NEXT GENERATION OF LABEFF MUSIC
The music didn't stop with Sleepy! Several kids and grandkids are pursuing music both professionally and as a hobby.
HARMONY PAUL LABEFF
Sleepy's son, Harmony Paul LaBeff, toured with Sleepy in the 1970s and then branched off on his own as a performer and songwriter in the 1980s-1990s. He had several bands in that season, namely Harmony and The Shakers. You can see/hear Harmony Paul's music here:
Harmony Paul performing with Sleepy on YouTube
JESSIE LABEFF
Sleepy's daughter, Jessie LaBeff once made an appearance on The Voice and was known to perform with Sleepy from time to time. Check out one of those performances here:
Jessie LaBeff at Sleepy's 60th Birthday
HARMONY LABEFF
Sleepy's grandson, Harmony LaBeff, recently released new songs that are available everywhere that music is streamed/sold. Check out Harmony's music here:
Harmony LaBeff official website
Harmony and his wife Amaryah LaBeff also release music as The Scattergoods:
The Scattergoods official website
