One Eyed, One Horned, Flying Purple People Eater

Sheb Wooley!

On this day in music history: June 9, 1958 - “The Purple People Eater” by Sheb Wooley hits #1 on the Billboard Best Sellers chart for 6 weeks. Written by Sheb Wooley, the novelty song is the biggest hit for the Oklahoma born singer/actor. Wooley auditions for the head of MGM Records in early 1958, singing mostly ballads. At the auditions conclusion, he sings “The Purple People Eater” when the label president asks if he has any other material. Sensing its hit potential, he signs the singer and rush him into the studio with producer/A&R man Neely Plumb (father of actress Eve Plumb, “Jan Brady” on “The Brady Bunch”). The song is quickly cut and released, becoming an immediate smash. Entering the Best Sellers chart at #7 on June 2, 1958, it leaps to the top of the chart the following week. “The Purple People Eater” sells over two million copies. Following the success of the record, Sheb Wooley stars on then new TV series “Rawhide” with an up and coming new actor named Clint Eastwood. “The Purple People Eater” is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.

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