They are remembered for their hit single "Disco Inferno" (1976). How & where do I sell my Elvis collection? Read about his childhood, reaching for the music scene, chasing his dream and finally his tragic end. Boomer on Shelby. Later, we met a guy named Jimmy Youmans also a student. The King is gone.Long live the King!.Jimmy's mortal life ended tragically when, on 12 December 1998, he was fatally shot in his Alabama pawn and package shop during a robbery gone bad. I never gave up music and a friend and I played at a local pub for extra money while finishing school. For the soul singer, member of The Trammps, please see Jimmy Ellis (2) Sites: Wikipedia, orionjimmyellis.com, oriondiscs.com Aliases: was blessed with a natural singing voice remarkably similar to Elvis. Production costs turned out to be too high compared to the demand on the box set, making the release too economically challenging to make. Jimmy Ellis was one of the super talented yes like Elvis, Tom Jones, Engelbert my all-time favorite solo artists. Im on the upper deck of our cabin in the picture here (see photo above). (much like how each of Elvis' jumpsuits had its own name): ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------, Orion (Jimmy Ellis) with (also in character) members of supergroup KISS, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, ------------------------------------------------------------------------------. This site is very much a "work in progress" and is being updated all the time. Jimmy's contributions to the group, both in his personality and in his amazing tenor, will never be forgotten. I'm Leavin'.Despite an initially (somewhat) artistically and (somewhat) financially beneficial arrangement for Jimmy Ellis, eventually the combination of an increasingly unfulfilling and unwanted masked career as an Elvis sound-a-like confronted his primal burning desire to be recognised and appreciated as "himself". Jimmy Fallon goes "Orion" - Fallon does segment on worst albums he says doNOT buy. He didnt know anything about computers and web sites so I had a company in Raleigh, NC develop the original site for us. In 1979 Jimmy Ellis finally merged with an identity, but it still wasn't himself. Very soon after Jimmy entered the store, a young black guy came in carrying a sawed off shotgun and demanded money. If you want to support the artist or artists that recorded and released this music, please go and purchase their music. Jimmy Ellis 1937-2012 It is with deep sadness that we report the passing of our friend and original lead singer, Jimmy Ellis, on Thursday, March 8, 2012 in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Three thugs intent on thievery pulled up outside the pawn shop on Dec. 12, 1998, and one of them Jeffrey Lee walked inside, pulled a sawed-off shotgun hidden in his heavy . Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Jimmy Ellis (19214)? Pictures and track listings are shown below of the titles I have managed to source. Bobby had recorded Otis Redding and Wayne Cochran plus many local bands. As Orion, Ellis reached Billboard's country chart with nine singles. Copyright the Elvis Information Network. In their illuminating examination of the infamous 'Elvis Underground' and activities around the belief Elvis did not die in 1977, Professors R. Serge Denisoff and George Plasketes addressed the Orion phenomenon. She was 16 going on 21 and I was 21. There is no media rate for international shipping, but we are covering part of the high shipping cost. With fans more interested in seeing "Kemo Sabe" rather than Jimmy Ellis, he spent the next few years focusing more on his business affairs than his music career. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________. With few bookings for Jimmy Ellis 'live on stage' there was still a substantial (albeit diminishing) demand of fans to satisfy their deep-seated psychological need and hope that their King had not left them. Consequently, this meant Jimmy could only get well paying work if he donned the Orion mask and (to him) even worse, an Elvis jumpsuit. That was December 4, 1998 - The Nightlife Theatre in Nashville, TNwhat a show!!! Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! Official site; Kenneth Dokkeberg's Jimmy Ellis / Orion website; Musiclovers - Discography, audio samples and a lot more! The film is being produced by Jeanie Finlay, a British artist and filmaker. But, it was really him. He began by overdubbing him onto recordings by Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Charlie Rich, and then recording solo albums which many fans thought were better than many of Elvis's later LPs. You tell your friends who tell their friends who tell their friends WHAT IS THUNDERCLAP? The Dan Lentino Management Group in Las Vegas is honoring Orion / Jimmy Ellis posthumously with a lifetime achievement award. February 1945 - 13th. It was (at least initially) a win-win-win situation as all three parties benefitted: Jimmy became an international star, Gail Brewer-Giorgio sold hundreds of thousands of copies of her "Orion" novel and Shelby Singleton sold truckloads of "Orion" records.. Wonder how in the world the producer picked an Orion album?? Also like Elvis (surviving twin), he experienced an early life major event when, at the age of 4, he was adopted by Robert and Faye Ellis. Dates, venues, photographs would all be of great help. Other LP/CD's Featuring Jimmy Ellis/Orion, Other LP's/CD's featuring Jimmy Ellis/Orion, Other LP & CD's Featuring Jimmy Ellis/Orion, Stargem/Kardina/Southern Tracks Promo Photos. A Tribute to the "Masked Man": Jimmy Ellis aka "Orion". [1], At the start of his music career, Ellis sang in nightclubs and, in 1964, released a single, "Dont Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch," for a small Georgia label, Dradco. Tell us about that. If he sounds different on them, I will know he is faking. It has hundreds of unseen photos, interviews with musicians and other people close to Jimmy. Original Name James Bell Birth 26 Feb 1945. Add your masked portrait to I Am Orion, THE ROLLERCOASTER RISE AND TRAGIC FALL OF THE Offered here is a two sheet info about the partnership which was presented to the stockholder. His voice was similar to Elvis Presley's, a fact which he and his record company played upon, making some believe that some of his recordings were by Presley, or even that Presley had not died in 1977. EIN: Your friendship with Jimmy Ellis. 26th. NASA.gov brings you the latest images, videos and news from America's space agency. A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY. It's the story of a masked. ***Orion - Jimmy Ellis: The Official Web Site***: (includes news, photo gallery, Books, CDs and DVDs 'For Sale' and 'Free' MP3 downloads), (includes brief Orion biography, worldwide Jimmy Ellis/Orion discography info, bootleg info and gallery of the many different Orion masks), ***Orion Merchandise (available online) from Cafe Press***. He wanted better recording material (new songs) and production sound in other studios but Sun (Shelby Singleton) would not agree. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------. Feb 6, 2015 - This Pin was discovered by Patricia Milligan. For the next 10 years Jimmy would balance music and his business interests. http://www.orionstc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Jimmy-Ellis-Early-years-PROMO.mp3. But later after collegeJimmy and I reconnected and had experiences in the 70s where he did various club shows etc., in Macon and other towns. Leave a comment or question, Jimmy Fallon made a mention of Orion and played snippets of Washing Machine on his show Monday, April 7, 2014. The shot missed, and then Lee allegedly turned his attention to the cash register, which he knocked off the counter after he could not open it, Huffman said. Watch a fascinating interview in 1979 with both Orion and Gail Brewer-Giorgio promoting his career and Ms Brewer-Giorgio's "Orion" novel, (BTW, the back story to the "Orion" novel, full of dirty dealings, "he says-she says" and legal machinations, is deserving of an article all to itself!). I really like the way he sang songs that Elvis never recorded in versions that still sounded a lot like Elvis. Just before noon, he decided to go by his pawn shop to check on things. He had perfect pitch, automatic vibrato, and wide range in his voice. The album featured some excellent songs including "Ebony Eyes", "Honey", and "Washing Machine". Scans of sleeves and labels would be of real interest as would track listings of further foreign releases. He has appeared with Loretta Lynn, Jerry Lee Lewis, Tammy Wynette, Ricky Skaggs, Lee Greenwood, Gary Morris, the Oak Ridge Boys and many many others. Scans of the COUNTRY FROM THE HEART CD on the Lanier Records label. This dynamic performer differentiates himself from all others for a number of reasons. : Since Elvis' explosion onto the world stage in the mid 1950s there have been countless Elvis tribute artists, imitators, impersonators, stylists and sound-a-likes offering and emulating a watershed musical icon. We join the Ellis family and friends and fans all . Real Name: James Hughes Bell Profile: James Hughes Bell (February 26, 1945 - December 12, 1998), stage name Orion (based on the character from the same-titled book by Gail Brewer-Giorgio ), was an American singer. Ellis appeared with many . Bobby D.: Basically he was very happy to get all the publicity from all the albums and live shows Sun Records provided, but he did not like wearing the mask. Very unfortunately, Jimmy Ellis along with his wife, was killed in December the 12th 1998 by a male robber. Inevitably, being born 10 years after Elvis, his struggle could never be won. was courted for a baseball career and a tryout with the Milwaukie Braves but turned it down. iTunes, Amazon) and not physical discs. 5 1969-70' Book Review: 'From Hawaii to Las Vegas' FTD CD Review: 'Young Man with the Big Beat' In-Depth Review: 'Fashion For A King' FTD in-depth Review: The Music of Elvis Presley - Australian Radio Show, Elvis Presley In Concert "downunder" 2006, Graceland - The National Historic Landmark. Above images sourced from the official "Orion-Jimmy Ellis" website Genesis.. Jimmy Hughes Bell was born on 26 February 1945 to a single mother (named) Gladys. The music industry is filled with many strange tales of artists whose lives took unexpected turns on the winding road to success, but the saga of singer Jimmy Ellis is perhaps one of the weirdest of them all. Kenneth Dokkeberg. Bobby D: Jimmy Ellis was actually the same off stage as he was on stage. Scan of New Zealand release of the JERRY LEE LEWIS - DUETS album (Sun L27036). All three are being held without bail and are facing the possibility of the death penalty on two counts of capital murder, authorities said. Sun Records legend Orion (Jimmy Ellis) is known internationally for his gifted singing ability and dynamic personal appearances. The story of Orion, the singer whose voice bears an incredible likeness to that of Elvis Presley, is an interesting and unusual one to say the least. Jimmy Ellis In The Shadow Of a King Book NOW AVAILABLE! The answer is: ONE! THIS SITE IS DEDICATED TO JIMMY ELLIS "ORION" THE MUSIC & LEGEND OF THE MAN WHO HAD THE VOICE OF A KING. You can make comments on the tab provided, or on the Orion Facebook Fan Club. Jimmy Ellis Also known as Orion. They vociferously took advantage of, and preyed upon, those Elvis fans, the "true disbelievers", who had a deep seated need to disbelieve a more prosaic, greed fuelled reality and motivation for the carefully constructed "Orion" character. To The Official Orion - Jimmy Ellis Web Site, http://tribecafilm.com/stories/tribeca-film-festival-2015-viewpoints, http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/orion-the-man-who-would-be-king. Cover scans of any CD's on the unofficial Masked Man label. EIN: Bobby, is there anything else you would like to say to our readers and Jimmy Ellis/Orion fans? Orion to recieve Lifetime Achievement Award in Las Vegas! Ellis appeared on the album cover wearing a mask over his eyes. All songs in superb quality, unreleased material from Los Angeles in 75, unrelesased home recordings and soundboard. On December 12, 1998, Jimmy Ellis and his ex-wife were both shot and killed by a man who was robbing his pawnshop in Alabama. Jimmy Ellis, the soulful lead singer of the Trammps, whose 1970s hit "Disco Inferno" was immortalized in the film "Saturday Night Fever," died on Thursday in Rock Hill, S.C.He was 74. To see the film clip andmake a donation, pleaseclick on the link below. Death 12 Dec 1998 (aged 53) . [1] He attended Orrville High School, where he excelled in baseball, football and basketball. He said, "Don't worry about it, you don't buy the fuckin records anyway." ..replaced with a completely new cover and no coffin! Dradco will release a 6 CD set in 2018 to commemorate the 20th anniversary since Jimmys passing. EIN: Given you have a great singing voice why didnt you pursue a recording/performing career? Instead of listing Ellis' first album on the label, Singleton printed a question mark. (EIN Comment: Bobby D. should get back to playing "live" - he is naturally gifted with a great voice!). His first two singles were covers of two of the King's former hits, "That's All Right" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky.". Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. While friends of the singer Jimmy Ellis have speculated that Orion could well have been The King's half-brother. Scans of the orange label version of the CD single SUNDAY FATHER on the Lanier Records label. I miss him a lot! Fittingly, his legend lives on, and quite ironically, both as Jimmy Ellis and Orion! The film, which had its world premiere at Tribeca and won [], Calling all Orion fans and film supporters. Brewer-Giorgio's novel, Jimmy Ellis' career aspirations, and Shelby Singleton's business converged to create Orion, the masked singer who allowed Jimmy to essentially perform as Elvis Presley for those grief-stricken audiences who wanted to believe he was still alive. It has 408 pages, harcover and a CD included with some of Jimmy's finest performances and also unreleased gems from the archives of Sun Records. The Kissin Cousins movie was on at the local theater, and I had seen it recently. He was born in Pascagoula, Mississippi, United States on February 26, 1945. The . http://www.elvisinfonet.com/spotlight-orion-2014.html, The Tonight Show from NY with Jimmy Fallon. The record got a little airplay in Macon, GA in 1964. [3], After Presley died in 1977, Singleton revived the hoax by releasing singles that overdubbed Ellis' voice onto known Sun recordings by Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and others, including a version of "Save the Last Dance For Me," [6] on which there was simply a credit to "Friend". On Orion's 1979 debut album, Reborn (Sun 1912). Jimmy Hodges Ellis (born Jimmy Hughes Bell, February 26, 1945 - December 12, 1998), who used the stage name Orion at times in his career, was an American singer. [3], In 1978, writer Gail Brewer-Giorgio published a novel, Orion, about a leading popular singer based on Presley who faked his death. In the 2006 EIN article, A Tribute to the "Masked Man": Jimmy Ellis aka "Orion", I observed: Of course his friends knew him from his early days as a child and when he started out as a singer, but this didn't stop the promoters of the "Elvis is alive" conspiracy theory. Singleton duly took Orion back to Elvis's roots in rockabilly, rock 'n' roll, country, blues, and gospel. Again, he was who he was period. 15 November 1937 Died 8 March 2012 (aged 74) There are at least four artists called Jimmy Ellis: 1) Jimmy Ellis. Jimmy Hodges "Orion" Ellis Sr. We put the official web site www.orionjimmyellis.comtogether three months before his tragic death in December 1998. Leave a comment or question. In early 1965, I transferred to Georgia Southern College in Statesboro, GA and lost touch with Jimmy for a number of years. While performing at the Eastern States Exposition, Ellis took off the mask and swore to never wear it again. As they say all PR is good PR! Scan of the German cassette release LET YOUR LOVE FLOW on the Sun/Bellaphon label. We let Bobby hear the record and he liked it but he said that it was too much like Presley, and he didnt think he could do anything with Jimmy.a huge mistake. I hope people will remember that some of the masters are owned by us and others over in Norway/Denmark. [8], In 2015, film-maker Jeanie Finlay released a documentary film, after pitching it at Sheffield Doc/Fest's 2013 MeetMarket, about Ellis' life and career, Orion: The Man Who Would Be King. As Jim Ellis, he released an album in 1987 and continued to tour North America; interestingly, he resumed wearing his mask. Ellis made a public confession in 1983 admitting he was Orion. Learn more about merges. Ellis, Jimmy "Orion" Type: Person Gender: Male Born: 1945-02-26 Born in: Pascagoula, Mississippi, United States Died: 1998-12-12 (aged 53)Died in: Selma, Alabama, United States Area: United States ISNI code: 0000 0004 3983 0212 Rating The tape recorder was playing the song Echoes of Love from Elvis Kissin Cousins album. The book has been a huge task with 12+ years of research. On Monday I carried his CDs to work and played them throughout the day. Even before the Orion phenomenon had really taken off he released a self-penned single on the small Boblo label, I'm Not Trying To Be Like Elvis. Born February 26, 1945, Jimmy (Bell) Ellis was adopted and raised in Orrville, Alabama. . Many fans will not be aware of this circumstances. Adios till we meet again! Ellis was gunned Down in His Alabama Pawn Shop December 12, 1998. 'The Wedding' Elvis & Priscilla EIN special Spotlight: 'Elvis In Ottawa' Spotlight & Elvis Interview: 'Elvis: Live at the International' Book Review: Elvis By Special Request '71 At 40 (Book Review): "Kissed By Elvis" Janet Fulton Interview: "ReBooked At The International'- in-depth Review: 'The Elvis Files Vol. He then dragged the cash register off the counter and got about $135.00 out of it. Bobby D.: I was born in Macon, GA in 1945. Perhaps critically, Jimmy had made a decision that a sporting future wasn't to shape the his story, and in so doing his future would be frustratingly shaped by his vocal chords as Jimmy's singing voice sounded remarkably like Elvis'. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYuszmPq3lw, "Orion" by Gail Brewer-Giorgio (Hardcover 1979). He was professionally known as Orion, and his double-edged claim to fame was that his natural speaking and singing voice sounded almost exactly like that of Elvis Presley. Thanks for your help! These books arevintage - new and are a collector's item. The leader singer of The Trammps. In 1972, he worked for Sun Records (Presley's label) with producer Shelby Singleton in Nashville. We have just received an intro and preview clip from the up coming documentary "Orion The Movie". The association ended in 1982, and this boxed set includes the very best of the recordings that Jimmy Ellis made for Sun. Many thanks again and all the best for the future. It was obviously a terrible tragedy, and I will never forget the call I got at 11:00 pm on that Saturday night December 12 from Shirley telling me Jimmy was dead. [6] His album Reborn, showing the singer emerging from a coffin, was released on gold-colored vinyl on the Sun label in 1978. Jimmy then met with Phil Walden, owner of Capricorn Records (the Almond Brothers Band and others) in Macon and was offered a contract, but since Jimmy was under age at the time his parents wouldnt let him sign.another huge mistake. This boxed set documents Orion's career on the legendary Sun Records label. Giorgios book had just come out, so Singleton decided to cash in on its popularity and transform Jimmy Ellis into the mysterious Orion who had phoned the author earlier that year. Police later found Lee holed up in a motel about 30 miles outside Atlanta. The album disc was on the record player. 2) Jimmy Ellis aka Orion. Many years later, I recorded four songs at Stargem Studios in Nashville, the same studio Jimmy had also recorded at earlier. How & where do I sell my Elvis collection? The coffin cover caused a lot of controversy and was replaced. Ellis was born in either Pascagoula, Mississippi,[2] Orrville, Alabama,[3] or Washington, D.C.,[1] United States, into a single parent home. We are told that the documentaryis moving along but, as with many projects,monetary donations would be appreciated to help get it to completion. If you can add to the info given please e-mail me. Cover/label scans wanted of any of the following: Cover scans of discs issued on the unofficial Jack Daniels label. Then, shortly after Elvis's death, legendary producer Shelby Singleton reconnected with Ellis, signing him to Sun, and creating the myth of Orion, the hero of a book, in which a famous star fakes his own death, and takes himself and his music back the roots. Sundance Selects has acquired North American rights to Orion: The Man Who Would Be King, the feature documentary written and directed by Jeanie Finlay. Click on the LP and 45 rpm records page. Ellis continued recording and performing through 1983 as Orion, and scored only one more minor hit before trying to break his Sun contract to become a recognized performer in his own right. A couple of songs can be heard at the URLs below. All three men were apprehended. 'My voice is both a blessing and a curse' (Jimmy Ellis/Orion during media interview), Controversial Sun Records 1978 Orion 'Reborn' (coffin) album cover. Website. Shipping is at the media rate in the U.S. He was professionally known as Orion, and his double-edged claim to fame was that his natural speaking and singing voice sounded almost exactly like that of Elvis Presley. The world lost a great singer. Scans of the unofficial CD titled JIMMY ELLIS THE SINGLES. He was NOT an impersonator, as he tried desperately to explain. He also recorded several albums for Sun between 1979 and 1981 and built up a substantial live following, still wearing his mask. An attempt to compile a complete list of official DVD recordings by Glimmer Films featuring the U.S.A. recording artist Jimmy Ellis also known as Orion. That day, Elaine Thompson, his x-wife was filling in for Shirley Connell who had gone home to Memphis for the weekend. Explore. 3. Interview conducted by Nigel Patterson, EIN (July 2014), Read: EIN's 2014 "Jimmy Ellis/Orion" article. Bobby D.: It was a pleasure. the story behind Bobby D's friendship with Jimmy Ellis, how Jimmy felt about his "Orion" character. 'Elvis: From Louisiana and Memphis 1976' FTD In-depth Review: FTD continues their extensive look at Elvis' performances in 1976 with three July 1976 concerts. Orion was well-known in the sixties and seventies for having a singing voice. More recently, one of the few remaining groups in the once prolific and infamous (so-called) 'Elvis Underground' has stated that Jesse (aka the 'still alive' Elvis) believes some of the Orion/Jimmy Ellis recordings are actually him (Jesse) singing. Hopefully in time the details given can be guaranteed to be100% correct but a great deal more info is required before reaching that stage. Watch the stunning trailer for Orion The Man Who Would Be King. Also like Elvis (surviving twin), he experienced an early life major event when, at the age of 4, he was adopted by Robert and Faye Ellis. This blog does not store any files on its server. Happy Birthday EIN EIN turns 100 a retrospective! Shelby Singleton of Sun International decided to disguise Ellis' identity on his first Sun single, "That's All Right (Mama)"/"Blue Moon of Kentucky" (Sun 1129), leaving listeners to speculate that the songs might be alternate takes of Elvis' first first two songs. Jimmy came from a Christian family and held his belief in God the Father throughout his life. His natural voice was very similar to the voice of Elvis Presley, read more EIN: The Jimmy Ellis story "lives on". The label credited the recordings simply to "? Orion in Sweden His hectic touring schedule as Orion also restricted Jimmy's time to write songs and this must have also added to the frustration with his career. Bobby D.: A few months before Jimmy passed away, I had suggested we put a web site together to sell his CDs. However, after failing to retain his popularity using his real name, he returned to performing as Orion in 1987. Evaluating the Jimmy Ellis/Orion legacy..While many continue to dismiss Jimmy Ellis as simply an Elvis imitator, to do so ignores critically important organic elements which place his story on a very different level to that of normal Elvis tribute artists! Bobby D.: Jimmy's story and music is important- he was very talented - and these releases will celebrate his life and career. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi. Ellis hair and long sideburns were dyed black, and he dressed in a loud, bejeweled polyester jumpsuit, with a mask to protect him from crazed fans.