Bass player with the classic 13th Floor Elevators line-up.

Raised in Kerryville, Texas, Leatherman knew Stacy Sutherland at school.

After starting to learn guitar, Leatherman switched to bass in 1964 when a local band needed a bass player. In late 1964, Sutherland and John Ike Walton had found a summer gig opportunity in Port Aransas on the beach and needed a band. They initially got Leatherman to coach Benny Thurman for the bass role in what was initially called the Lingsmen and later became the 13th Floor Elevators.

After graduating, Leatherman was asked to join the Elevators, replacing Thurman. He performed on the Elevators' first album, The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators and toured the Bay Area with them, playing venues such as the Avalon with bands such as Buffalo Springfield, Moby Grape and Quicksilver Messenger Service.

Just before the Elevators' second album, Easter Everywhere, Leatherman was drafted and served in Vietnam for 18 months. He returned in time for the Elevators' final album, Bull of the Woods.