Country musician Sleepy LaBeef who became a rockabilly legend with the hits All Alone and Don’t Make Me Go dies at the age of 84
Fans of rockabilly around the world are mourning the loss of a legend.
Sleepy LaBeef, a legendary rock and country musician who rose to fame in the late-’50s and ’60s, passed away Thursday at the age of 84.
The Arkansas native who was born Thomas Paulsley LaBeff passed away suddenly, his family confirmed via his official Facebook page.
Still playing: Sleepy LaBeef, a legendary rock and country musician who rose to fame in the late-’50s and ’60s, passed away Thursday at the age of 84; seen in 2018
Guitar slinger: In 1996, Sleepy took the stage during the ‘Rounder Rockabilly Roots’ Concert in New York
Just days after the Christmas holiday, musician Sleepy LaBeef passed away from causes currently undisclosed.
Fans of the rockabilly icon came to learn of the 84-year-old’s passing on Facebook.
LaBeef’s wife, Linda, who had access to the late singer’s official Facebook page, posted the following statement:
‘It is with deep, agonizing sadness that we inform you of the news that this morning, Sleepy LaBeef passed on from this life to be with the Lord.’
Farewell: Fans of the rockabilly icon came to learn of the 84-year-old’s passing on Facebook; Sleepy performed at Johnny D’s Uptown Restaurant and Music Club in 2016
Linda confirmed that LaBeef ‘died at home, in his own bed, surrounded by his family who loved him, and whom he dearly loved.’
She continued, ‘He lived a full and vibrant life, filled with the excitement of much travel and experience, the contentment that came from being able to spend his life doing what he loved best, and the fulfilling love of his wife, children, and grandchildren around him.’
Sleepy LaBeef, born Thomas Paulsley LaBeff in 1935, was the youngest of 10 siblings and grew up in a rural part of Arkansas.
Origin of a name: His stage name ‘Sleepy’ derived from the nickname he got as a kid, due to having a stand-out lazy eye; LaBeef onstage during the Sleepy LaBeef’s Country Rockabilly Rip Roarin’ Jumping Jamboree concert in New York
His stage name ‘Sleepy’ derived from the nickname he got as a kid, due to having a stand-out lazy eye.
When the Every Day singer turned 18, he packed his bags and set out on his musical journey with guitar in hand.
The pursuit of music stardom would take him from Arkansas to Texas to Nashville, where he would eventually adapt a significant country music style.
LaBeef’s hit-making streak lasted from the late-1950s through the 1960s with hits such as, Blackland Farmer and Every Day.
Even when his radio popularity died down during the 1970s, Sleepy kept jamming and earned an honorable reputation for being an incredible live performer.
In 2018, Sleepy LaBeef performed at the 5th annual Ameripolitan Awards in Memphis with the same vigor showcased in some of his earliest performances.
LaBeef was considered ‘the lone remaining active link to the birth of rock ‘n’ roll,’ according to Variety.
Lasting affect: Even when his radio popularity died down during the 1970s, Sleepy kept jamming and earned an honorable reputation for being an incredible live performer; LaBeef performed onstage at the MidSummer Night Swing concert in New York in 1999
