Sheb Wooley

SHEB WOOLEY
 
 
Sheb Wooley  (April 10, 1921 – September 16, 2003) was a character actor and singer, best known for his 1958 novelty song "The Purple People Eater".  He played Ben Miller, brother of Frank Miller in the film High Noon, played Travis Cobb in The Outlaw Josey Wales, and also had a co-starring role as scout Pete Nolan in the television program Rawhide.  Wooley is also credited as the voice actor who produced the famous sound effect, the Wilhelm scream.  (More from Wikipedia)
 
 

In June 1958, the Big Bopper was going to record a new song called "Purple People Eater Meets Witch Doctor", featuring two characters from popular novelty songs of the day:  the David Seville song "Witch Doctorthat was mentioned already, and the Sheb Wooley hit "The Purple People Eater" about the "one-eyed, one-horned, flying purple people eater" who wants to be a "singer in a rock and roll band".  (Both of these characters used sped-up vocals in the songs).   

 

(June 2013/1)

 

Last edited: March 22, 2021