Sheb Wooley

about

Shelby F. "Sheb" Wooley (April 10, 1921 – September 16, 2003) was a character actor and singer, best known for his 1958 novelty hit "Purple People Eater". Wooley was born in Erick, Oklahoma and grew up on a farm. He learned how to ride horses at a young age, and was working cowboy and rodeo rider. He also played in a country-western band. During WWII, Wooley was turned down for service because of his rodeo injuries. He worked in the oil industry and as a welder. In 1946, he moved to Fort Worth, Texas and became a country and western musician. Wooley appeared in dozens of western films from the 1950s through 1970s, most notably High Noon. He also appeared in The Outlaw Josey Wales and Giant. He also co-starred as Pete in the TV Western Rawhide. In the late 1950s, he embarked on a recording career, and recorded the song that made him famous. Wooley followed up "People Eater" with a series of lesser-known novelty hits. Wooley also wrote the theme song for the long-running television show "Hee Haw". He was a regular on Hee Haw as the drunken country songwriter Ben Colder. The Colder persona became popular and he released music and performed under that name as well as his own. The Ben Colder persona was created after an incident in which Sheb Wooley was supposed to record the song Don't Go Near The Indians but was delayed due to an acting job. During the delay Rex Allen recorded the song and scored a hit, and so Sheb Wooley told people that he didn't mind - he would do the se

top songs

albums

The Purple People Eater

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Music From Steven Spielberg Presents TAKEN

Halloween Hits, Bangs and Spooky Sounds

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Sheb Wooley - The Purple People Eater

22 Best of the Best

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Purple People Eater (Remastered) - Single

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The Purple People Eater / I Can't Believe You're Mine

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1958 British Hit Parade Part 2

Big Trucker Hits

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Lux and Ivy's Favorites Volume Eight

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50s Greatest Rock N Roll

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Taken

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