Sheb Wooley. If that name doesn't ring a bell, don't worry. You're probably not alone. Although his name may not be recognized in every household, his contributions to American culture certainly are. After all, it's not every day that you come across what is, arguably, the biggest novelty hit of all time.

When his name is remembered at all, Wooley is best remembered for his 1958 Billboard No. 1 chart-topper, "The Purple People Eater." 

You know the tune, wherein the titular eater has both one eye and, also, one horn? Sheb Wooley wrote and performed the song about a monster who yearns to join a rock 'n' roll band. Allegedly, MGM Records initially rejected the song, telling Wooley it was not the kind of music the label would like to be associated with. But when a demo recording circulated throughout the office, and caught the attention of the firm's younger employees, the company wasn't able to pass up on what eventually became a gigantic success.

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But that's not Wooley's most forward-facing role in entertainment. While you might be hard-pressed to meet someone who has his name ready to recall, "The Purple People Eater" is just one of a few crossover cultural successes in Wooley's career.

Western fans will recognize Sheb Wooley as Pete Nolan in the series Rawhide. There, he graced the screen in no less than 110 episodes as the team's scout throughout the first four seasons. Wooley's last episode as a regular cast member after "The Deserter's Patrol," but he returns for a further nine episodes in season seven.

But wait, there's more!

As if that wasn't already a mammoth imprint on the world, Wooley's most mammoth impact might be his work in stock sounds.

You'll recognize Sheb Wooley's voice as the famous "Wilhelm Scream", which has been used repeatedly throughout cinematic history. The sound was initially one of many recordings for the 1951 movie Distant Drums. Wooley, who also played the uncredited role of Pvt. Jessup in the film, is believed to be the voice on the take initially titled "Man getting bit by an alligator, and he screams." It has since been used in countless movies, whenever a scream is needed for the background of a scene.

Thank you, Sheb Wooley.

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