JIMMY ( ORION ) ELLIS - LIVE ON STAGE 70s - YouTube 15 November 1937 Died 8 March 2012 (aged 74) There are at least four artists called Jimmy Ellis: 1) Jimmy Ellis. "E" Tribute - Elvis tribute artists and sound-alikes - Meikel Jungner Well, once all the other guys left, Jimmy and I sang until late in the night with me strumming a small red guitar he had borrowed and Jimmy and I singing Elvis and Beatles songs. Scans of the COUNTRY FROM THE HEART CD on the Lanier Records label. One of Music's Biggest Conspiracy Theories: Was the Pop Star Orion I am always on the lookout for Orion/Jimmy Ellis concerts that I dont have. Im on the upper deck of our cabin in the picture here (see photo above). The record got a little airplay in Macon, GA in 1964. Official site; Kenneth Dokkeberg's Jimmy Ellis / Orion website; Musiclovers - Discography, audio samples and a lot more! Scans of sleeves and labels would be of real interest as would track listings of further foreign releases. A WARM WELCOME TO ORIONDISCS This website is a tribute to the U.S. recording artist Jimmy Ellis, and focuses on his many record releases. 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. In an outstanding article in The Nashville Tennessean newspaper on August 12, 1997, it was reported that "Orion having the same vocal cords as Elvis has been both a kiss and a curse, but Orion sings his own tune!!!". Jimmy had the voice and charisma that drew you to him. Production costs turned out to be too high compared to the demand on the box set, making the release too economically challenging to make. Orion - Jimmy Ellis - masked man - bobby d. Which brings us to the incredible story of Orion. fanoscoatings.com Informacin detallada del sitio web y la empresa 6 1971-1973' Book Review: 'Elvis - The Man & His Music'#100 review: 'Elvis - Aloha Via Satellite: A 40th Anniv Release' Book Review: 'The Elvis Files Vol. It will be presented at this years Las Vegas Elvis Fest at the LVH formerly the Las Vegas Hilton on July 11th. We were in the same dorm building on campus at Middle Georgia College in Cochran, GA. Every morning from my room I would hear this loping sound of cowboy boots coming down the hall and some guy humming and singing lowly. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------, A selection of the many colorful Orion masks, each with its own name. Hopefully in time the details given can be guaranteed to be100% correct but a great deal more info is required before reaching that stage. So I said: come on, thats Elvis I have the album. If you can provide any additional info, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, to the list of details in the concert section of this site please get in touch. We have a limited supply of this1979 hardcover version of the book "Orion" by Gail Brewer-Giorgio. Original Name James Bell Birth 26 Feb 1945. Raised in Orrville, Alabama, Ellis began his recording career in 1964. Mr. I finished college with a BBA while my wife worked, and I got the GI Bill. How many Elvis tribute artists made a living without singing Elvis songs for most of their career? In an, Georgia Pines CD - Playground Records Promo Card. 17 Comments / That's not recording. EIN: Bobby, is there anything else you would like to say to our readers and Jimmy Ellis/Orion fans? He tells in great detail the story of Jimmy Ellis, a successful horse farmer who took over the family business in the small town of Orrville, Alabama. Jimmy Ellis CD Discography at CD Universe Backed by the Jordanaires and opening act Sherry Carlisle, Orion sang to a packed house on August 12, 1997 at Nashville's Nightlife Theater. He then dropped the gun, fled the store and drove off in a car with two accomplices, authorities said. This site is very much a "work in progress" and is being updated all the time. 2) Jimmy Ellis aka Orion. . Bobby D. on YouTube (who does Bobby sound like? The apposite outcome saw Jimmy dramatically rip off his Orion mask in frustration during a" live" performance in 1983. Happy Birthday EIN EIN turns 100 a retrospective! Orion: The Man Who Would Be King: Directed by Jeanie Finlay. 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. EIN: Jimmys death was tragic! This dynamic performer differentiates himself from all others for a number of reasons. All three are being held without bail and are facing the possibility of the death penalty on two counts of capital murder, authorities said. He quickly says "he sounds just like Elvis" and then puts on a copy of the mask worn by Orion for the album picture. Orion was well-known in the sixties and seventies for having a singing voice. However, after failing to retain his popularity using his real name, he returned to performing as Orion in 1987. EIN: Bobby, many thanks for taking time to talk to us today. Jimmy "Orion" Ellis Look for a micro hidden container. Newspaper adverts and reports of his numerous appearances also very much appreciated. A hit record or some fuckin' tour we did that on many a time. How many Elvis tribute artists have a fan club with more than 15,000 members? Sales have not been great since the fan base has long since scattered but I enjoy doing it to keep his talent known, as much as possible. Take a look at the following table for more information. It is hold together by a stitch in the upper left corner. And, after I heard Jimmy, I knew I was not.>. The gunman, who police believe is Plantersville resident Jeffery James Lee, then fired twice more in an attempt to blast Ellis a second time as he struggled to find a haven behind a computer desk, Huffman said. 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. compilation added to various unofficial releases page. Our biography book on Jimmy Ellis is now available here on this website! As Jim Ellis, he released an album in 1987 and continued to tour North America; interestingly, he resumed wearing his mask. Lets hope this music finds a way out at some other point. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Jimmy Ellis (19214)? Please tell our readers about this and how they can order. The Elvis Information Network has been running since 1986 and is an EPE officially recognised Elvis fan club. Bobby D.: I was born in Macon, GA in 1945. Here is the bizarre story of Jimmy Ellis, or, as he was also known, Orion. Given you have a great singing voice why didnt you pursue a recording/performing career? Bobby D.: Actually, I know there are bootleg ones out there, but Im not familiar with all of them. A Brief Biography - new Oriondiscs website So, thats how Jimmy Ellis and I met and became lifelong friends. '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. 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 Jimmys finest performances and also unreleased gems from the archives of Sun Records. I responded: gosh Jimmy what if I did. Jimmy was a really good guitar player and very musically inclined. These titles and their eye catching specially made front covers would appear to be exclusively for internet downloads (eg. In 1972, he worked for Sun Records (Presley's label) with producer Shelby Singleton in Nashville. It will focus on his early years before he became the masked singer Orion. : Aloha From Hawaii - The Concert 2013- EIN Exclusive, Elvis at Madison Square Garden 40 Years Ago. We are told that the documentary is moving along but, as with many projects, monetary donations would be appreciated to help get to completion. Ellis was gunned Down in His Alabama Pawn Shop December 12, 1998. At first with all the attention he was getting, Im sure he had fun with it but he really wanted to be known as himself and not try to fool people into thinking he might be Elvis Presley. Wonder how in the world the producer picked an Orion album?? Who was he? What you see is what you get. Anyway, he got that voice from somewhere in his original family.not from Sears, as he once said. It was issued on Sun without an artist name, and created a furor because Ellis bore such an uncanny vocal resemblance to Elvis. A fine talent in his own right, Ellis recorded the song "I'm Not Trying" (Boblo 536) and the album By Request - Ellis Sings Elvis (Boblo 78-829). Thats the special since the regular price is $12.95. That eventually led to Sun Records in Nashville. $4.00 shipping. THIS SITE IS DEDICATED TO JIMMY ELLIS "ORION" THE MUSIC & LEGEND OF THE MAN WHO HAD THE VOICE OF A KING. The sale is temporary to offer fans who missed these CDs the first time around a real deal. The guys in the room were mostly the colleges basketball players. Very sadly, it is possible, even probable, Jimmy Ellis never fully realised the enormity and significance of his impact as a recording and performing artist! Memorial ID. Interview conducted by Nigel Patterson, EIN (July 2014), Read: EIN's 2014 "Jimmy Ellis/Orion" article. This is the definitive book on a man with the voice of a King. Bobby D.: The gimmick of Orion lasted about 3 years. Jimmy "Orion" Ellis - Conservapedia Thunderclap is a tool that lets a message be heard when you and your friends say it together. Very soon after Jimmy entered the store, a young black guy came in carrying a sawed off shotgun and demanded money. Get the latest updates on NASA missions, watch NASA TV live, and learn about our quest to reveal the unknown and benefit all humankind. The book has been a huge task with 12+ years of research. Are they still available in 2014? With an outlandish fictional identity torn from the pages of a pulp novel, the backing of the legendary birthplace of rock n roll Sun Records and a voice that seemed to be the very twin of Presleys himself, the scheme concocted in the months after Presleys death exploded into a cult success and the Elvis is alive myth began. "He just opened fire in seconds and hit Mr. Ellis in the side.". Jimmy Ellis Dies at 74; Lead Singer in Dance Band Trammps (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, ------------------------------------------------------------------------------. I really like the way he sang songs that Elvis never recorded in versions that still sounded a lot like Elvis. 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. In its way, the story underscores some of the dark, disturbing aspects of image-making, music marketing, and how the music industry builds stars but destroys individuals. Bobby Smith, owner of Boblo Records once told his engineer, Chet Bennett: take him in the studio and record different songs. Then, he introduced me to Jimmy Ellis, the guy by the tape recorder who had said nothing. 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!). Born February 26, 1945, Jimmy (Bell) Ellis was adopted and raised in Orrville, Alabama. EIN: What is Bobby D. doing, musically, these days? Shipping is at the media rate in the U.S. 26th. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi. AVAILABLE HERE LOWER PRICE! This is a FOUR CD 5" digi-pak, this set features three concerts, Shreveport Louisiana July 1, 1976, Baton Rouge, July 2, 1976 and Elvis' last home-town concert Mid-South Coliseum, Memphis July 5, 1976. As the Orion story unfolded, it was clear these forces played straight to the hearts and deep-seated psychological needs of many Elvis fans! Click on the LP and 45 rpm records page. We have just received an intro and preview clip of the up coming documentary "Orion The Movie". EIN: Bobby, you currently have a special offer on the site. I am looking for information concerning Orion's many concert appearances in the USA and several countries in Europe where he performed. Help us spreadthe word about our cinema releaseby signing up for an ORIONtweetor aFacebookpost here onThunderclap. 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. EIN: What did Jimmy say to you about his career as Orion? When Jimmy Ellis decided to give up the horse business and decided to go after a singing career, he sold his horse equipment and formed a company called Jimmy Ellis Productions, INC. Here he sold stock in himself as he needed money before going to L.A. and pursue singing. A talented athlete, Jimmy was awarded a two-year athletic scholarship at Middle Georgia Junior College and was courted for a baseball career and a tryout with the Milwaukie Braves but turned it down. [3], Singleton tore off his mask at a performance in 1983, saying he would not wear it again. Available now! Then he started the tape recorder and put the little microphone down by the record player and sang with the song overlaying Elvis voice with his. He was 53 years old. All three men were apprehended. Huffman said King, who played dead, was treated and released from a hospital for her hand wound. http://www.orionstc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Jimmy-Ellis-Early-years-PROMO.mp3. Singleton then persuaded Ellis to start appearing as "Orion", wearing a small mask with dyed hair and in similar clothing to that worn by Presley. Apparently, it was just a few seconds after the guy entered that he fatally shot Jimmy in his left side and then swung the gun around shooting Elaine in the face killing her instantly. Sundance Selects has acquired North American rights to Orion: The Man Who Would Be King, the feature documentary written and directed by Jeanie Finlay. Find out more about the Orion - Jimmy Ellis story: ***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***. Orion Jimmy Ellis - The Official Web Site | Jimmy ellis, Jimmy, Orion They are remembered for their hit single "Disco Inferno" (1976). In 1979 Jimmy Ellis finally merged with an identity, but it still wasn't himself. 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. Boomer on Shelby. The Dan Lentino Management Group in Las Vegas is honoring Orion / Jimmy Ellis posthumously with a lifetime achievement award. The Kissin Cousins movie was on at the local theater, and I had seen it recently. We join the Ellis family and friends and fans all . Only Jimmy Ellis/Orion can lay claim to these remarkable achievements (and he could only be categorised as an Elvis tribute artist in his final years, well after his seminal period as the masked man, Orion). Explore. He released the Country, Rockabilly, and Glory albums in 1980, along with Trio Plus, which featured Orions voice overdubbed on old cuts with Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Charlie Rich. The tape recorder was playing the song Echoes of Love from Elvis Kissin Cousins album. Jimmy Ellis In The Shadow Of a King Book NOW AVAILABLE! This boxed set documents Orion's career on the legendary Sun Records label. Add your masked portrait to I Am Orion, THE ROLLERCOASTER RISE AND TRAGIC FALL OF THE
He also had a great personality with a quick wit. During that same year, with record in hand, I took Jimmy Ellis to Macon to meet Bobby Smith at his recording studio. Bobby D.: A few months before Jimmy passed away, I had suggested we put a web site together to sell his CDs. The label credited the recordings simply to "? Singleton duly took Orion back to Elvis's roots in rockabilly, rock 'n' roll, country, blues, and gospel. Could you clarify who was working with him that day? If you sat in a room with him and heard him sing Happy Birthday, the National Anthem, or Its Now or Never, he sounded exactly the same. 2. 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.. 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. EIN: Your friendship with Jimmy Ellis. EIN: You operate the official Jimmy Ellis/Orion website. In high school his teachers encouraged him to sing for the school's "Religious Emphasis Week," leading him to enter his first talent contest in 1963. The album disc was on the record player. How & where do I sell my Elvis collection? Obituary: Orion | The Independent | The Independent The Final Performance CD is a good example of the kind of interaction and humor Orion had with the audience. Pictures and track listings are shown below of the titles I have managed to source. The book that started it all (in classic conspiracy fashion, its 'first edition' featured two 'author' names!!). EIN: Did he come to resent the Orion character and if so, how strongly? Learn more about merges. I often wonder what that would have done for Jimmys career since Phil Walden was nationally known. ORION FEAT.JIMMY ELLIS.CH About me THE STORY OF ORION BEGAN AS FICTION A Georgia-based writer,Gail Brewer-Giorgio concocted a tale about a charismatic rock 'n'roll singer,Orion Eckley Darnell,who came to be called 'King' because of his enormous popularity across the world.However 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. They wrote both of the songs. Then it happened. )more than 20 items including coffee mugs, beer steins, calendars, mouse pad, t-shirts, sweat shirts and clocks, is the only Elvis stylist who nearly 20 years after his tragic death still elicits interest from his fans, is promoted today by a commercial company operating in his name, has several websites devoted to his life and music, had several of his recordings featured on the soundtrack of a number of films, has featured in a number of documentaries about music in the southern states of the USA, is the subject of a documentary film being released in 2015. She is an accomplished documentary film maker with 6+ well known films. 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. MYSTERY MASKED MAN WITH THE VOICE OF A LEGEND. Orion Jimmy Ellis - The Official Web Site Michael Stevens ORION Almost ELVIS Official American Singers Orion Elvis The Man Official Jimmy Ellis "Orien" Graham Carpenter Elvis Aaron Presley Waiting In The Wings Apocalypse Ellis Jimmy Interview Jimmy continued, commmenting on the frustration he felt when he would have to stop the recording session because Shelby Singleton had arranged for a tour group to come through the studio: Now, what's the priority. If you can help with any small detail please contact me at: Promotional 8 track tape added for upcoming Dradco release of the album, Updated info on the new CD release of the. Ellis hailed from Orrville, Alabama and began his recording career in 1964. We are told that the documentaryis moving along but, as with many projects,monetary donations would be appreciated to help get it to completion. Super rare memorabilia from the start up of the singing career of Jimmy Ellis! Directors Statement Who was that masked man? 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. Jimmy "Orion" Ellis Net Worth, Age, Height, Weight, Wife, Wiki, Family When Jimmy would come for a visit to my house in the early days, it was like Elvis was comingthere was electricity in the air. 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. ", and it was rumored that they were alternate takes from Presley sessions (despite featuring an electric rather than string bass). He used to say: you can sound like other artists and make it but if you sound like Elvis they dont want to play your records. Jimmy "Orion" Ellis | Elvis Wiki | Fandom How many Elvis tribute artists have had any unofficial album releases let alone 150 bootleg albums released? Links to Orion / Jimmy Ellis sites. Ellis recorded an album under his own name, Sometimes Words Just Get In The Way, for a small label in . The strange part of the tale began in January 1979, when author Gail Brewer-Giorgio received a bizarre early-morning phone call. The jury recommended Lee be sentenced to life without parole, but the judge sentenced Lee to death. Jimmy "Orion" Ellis | Detailed Pedia Think of it as an online flash mob. Join the OrionThunderclap, and you and [], "If Elvis is alive,
That was December 4, 1998 - The Nightlife Theatre in Nashville, TNwhat a show!!! However, in the beginning recordings like Save The Last Dance For Me, Ebony Eyes and Honey convinced many Elvis fans that their King was still physically among them. 'My voice is both a blessing and a curse' (Jimmy Ellis/Orion during media interview), Controversial Sun Records 1978 Orion 'Reborn' (coffin) album cover. The film, which had its world premiere at Tribeca and won [], Calling all Orion fans and film supporters. [12] It was released theatrically in the US by Sundance Selects on December 4, 2015. No breach of copyright is intended or should be inferred. Orion in Sweden Ellis's Orion character claimed to have been managed by one Colonel Mac Weiman, and have been born in Ribbonsville, Tennessee on December 31, 1931. Again, he was who he was period. I never gave up music and a friend and I played at a local pub for extra money while finishing school. Who was he? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRx7ice15YY, Backed by the Jordanaires and opening act Sherry Carlisle, Orion sang to a packed house on August 12, 1997 at Nashville's Nightlife Theater. Scan of the Plantation Records cassette release 16 AWARD WINNING COUNTRY SONGS. : --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------. : Aloha From Hawaii - The Concert 2013- EIN Exclusive, Elvis at Madison Square Garden 40 Years Ago. Jimmy said: Ill kill you, and we had a big laugh. New 2016 DVD release of the award winning documentary on the life and career of Jimmy Ellis. In reality, Orion was the club singer Jimmy Ellis, who was born in Orrville, Alabama, in 1945. While friends of the singer Jimmy Ellis have speculated that Orion could well have been The King's half-brother. He started the album on the record player to play Echoes of Love. He loved to have a good time, loved to sing and entertain. Along the way, and particularly towards the end, Jimmy was not happy with the whole thing. James Hodges Ellis (born James Hughes Bell, February 26, 1945 December 12, 1998), who used the stage name Orion at times in his career, was an American singer. Jimmy Ellis Also known as Orion. Here is what the website says: ORION: The Man Who Would Be King tells the story of Jimmy Ellis an unknown singer plucked from obscurity and thrust into the spotlight as part of a crazy scheme that had him masquerade as Elvis back from the grave. If you want to support the artist or artists that recorded and released this music, please go and purchase their music. 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. Jimmy Ellis was one of the super talented yes like Elvis, Tom Jones, Engelbert my all-time favorite solo artists. Who was that masked man?.Sadly, the convergence of artistic, commercial and greed/fame infused forces which would shape Jimmy's future meant he became a pawn in a multi-faceted promotional campaign involving author Gail Brewer-Giorgio (9 years before her best-selling non-fiction books asking if Elvis really died in 1977) and new Sun Studio owner, Shelby Singleton, when because of his voice Jimmy was marketed as the mysterious, masked singer, Orion. It is also very possible that several other titles circulating on the internet . 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. Bobby had recorded Otis Redding and Wayne Cochran plus many local bands. * Released After Jimmy Ellis's death in 1999. And that's the way it was. Copyright the Elvis Information Network. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Bobby D: Jimmy Ellis was actually the same off stage as he was on stage. 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. Scan of New Zealand release of the JERRY LEE LEWIS - DUETS album (Sun L27036). Internet Downloads - new Oriondiscs website You tell your friends who tell their friends who tell their friends WHAT IS THUNDERCLAP? How did that come about and what can fans expect to find on the site? Orion page at Sun Records; Jimmy at Elvis Wiki To use this website you must enable JavaScript. Sun Records legend Orion (Jimmy Ellis) is known internationally for his gifted singing ability and dynamic personal appearances. Website. EIN: Does it surprise you that Jimmy still has so many fans nearly 20 years after his tragic death? After his "unmasking" more and more fans accepted Orion was not Elvis, and for those who could not let go of the King a new theory took form - yes the original Orion wasn't Elvis but the real (still alive) Elvis was replacing Jimmy Ellis on stage at various concerts! How & where do I sell my Elvis collection? iTunes, Amazon) and not physical discs. The upcoming Orion documentary being done by Jeanie Finley in England should broaden exposure. 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. He would give you things and himself freely. He was the one who produced Jimmy Ellis first 45 rpm record Love Is But A Love and Dont Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch recorded at a radio station in Kibbee, GA.