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. I finished college with a BBA while my wife worked, and I got the GI Bill. Read about his childhood, reaching for the music scene, chasing his dream and finally his tragic end. We are told that the documentary is moving along but, as with many projects, monetary donations would be appreciated to help get to completion. The apposite outcome saw Jimmy dramatically rip off his Orion mask in frustration during a" live" performance in 1983. [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. Around the same time, Ellis released another single under his name, "I'm Not Trying To Be Like Elvis", and an album, By Request Ellis Sings Elvis. I responded: gosh Jimmy what if I did. had a stage presence which entranced his fans, did not want want to be an Elvis imitator, for most of his career did not make a living singing and performing Elvis songs, had fans who travelled (often as a family) up to 500 miles to see him perform, is the only Elvis stylist to have had an album replaced due to controversy, is the only Elvis stylist to have a best-selling book published about his persona. His natural voice was very similar to the voice of Elvis Presley, read more For unofficial publicity purposes Orion continued to strike a favorite pose for the cover of: (one of nearly 150 'unofficial' Jimmy Ellis/Orion/Ellis James albums - with a striking but obvious graphically altered 'rip-off' cover design/image of the "reborn" Sun Records "Reborn" LP - as with its origination - Orion's facial expression on the cover nicely reflects the album title), The Comeback.While Jimmy probably never wanted to resurrect the Orion character, there was an inevitable comeback. Ellis was born in either Pascagoula, Mississippi,[2] Orrville, Alabama,[3] or Washington, D.C.,[1] United States, into a single parent home. Artefact from Shelby Singleton's personal collection.conspiracy theorists, note the date! This One's For. Sung By . He started the album on the record player to play Echoes of Love. had 10 Top 100 hits on the Country Music Chart in the US! These songs has appeared on other compilations or a collection of songs. Oct 7, 2013 - Orion Jimmy Ellis - The Official Web Site. The association ended in 1982, and this boxed set includes the very best of the recordings that Jimmy Ellis made for Sun. Dates, venues, photographs would all be of great help. We are told that the documentaryis moving along but, as with many projects,monetary donations would be appreciated to help get it to completion. Unfortunately, despite the fact that most of the songs he recorded were not covers of Elvis songs, he could not escape the uncanny similarities between their natural voices. Thanks, Nigel!! Her 1978 novel Orion told the story of a rock and roll singer, very much like Elvis, who faked his own death. Feb 6, 2015 - This Pin was discovered by Patricia Milligan. All three are being held without bail and are facing the possibility of the death penalty on two counts of capital murder, authorities said. Support Good Music. Two of the many Orion items still being sold in 2014: ----------------------------------------------------------------------. The album disc was on the record player. EIN: Did the Orion experience change Jimmy as a person? 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 It is also very possible that several other titles circulating on the internet . EIN: You operate the official Jimmy Ellis/Orion website. It was issued on Sun without an artist name, and created a furor because Ellis bore such an uncanny vocal resemblance to Elvis. We put the official web site www.orionjimmyellis.com together three months before his tragic death in December 1998. A lot of the people traveled many miles to see himsome were on a tour of Nashville from England andGermany andhad made the trip to see Orion. 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. Cover scans of any CD's on the unofficial Orion Records label. Their fascinating book, True Disbelievers The Elvis Contagion, featured excerpts from several interviews with Jimmy Ellis which shed further light on his frustration with his musical direction, including: On working in the recording studio with Shelby Singleton, Jimmy stated: We'd play it back, you know, in Shelby's office, and I'd say, "That's not right." Official site; Kenneth Dokkeberg's Jimmy Ellis / Orion website; Musiclovers - Discography, audio samples and a lot more! Charlie Rich sang along with Lewis on two other songs. That eventually led to Sun Records in Nashville. the story behind Bobby D's friendship with Jimmy Ellis, how Jimmy felt about his "Orion" character. He once said: you cant make it on someone elses coattail. EIN: The Jimmy Ellis story "lives on". In 1999, the famed German company, Bear Family Records, released a 4CD box set of 108 Orion recordings: From the pr for the box set: It was Orion Eckley Darnell, keeping the flame of rootsy Southern music alive in the Seventies, and doing it by sounding remarkably like Elvis Aaron Presley. If I Can Dream.The internal struggle that Jimmy Ellis had with his Orion alter-ego and his burning desire to record quality music appears to have been ever present. . 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 wanted better recording material (new songs) and production sound in other studios but Sun (Shelby Singleton) would not agree. In 1972, he worked for Sun Records (Presley's label) with producer Shelby Singleton in Nashville. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________. 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. MYSTERY MASKED MAN WITH THE VOICE OF A LEGEND. Scans of the orange label version of the CD single SUNDAY FATHER on the Lanier Records label. 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. Artist of the Year Theme by Foxhound Band Themes. 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 Instead of listing Ellis' first album on the label, Singleton printed a question mark. Bobby D.: Not very much except recording at home when the mood strikes. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi. They wrote both of the songs. 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. The controversial 'Reborn' album with its "coffin" cover. We have just received an intro and preview clip of the up coming documentary "Orion The Movie". 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. Orion page at Sun Records; Jimmy at Elvis Wiki 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. Allyson Adams 'The Rebel and The King' Interview: EIN interviews John Scheinfeld director of 'Fame & Fortune', Elvis Paradise Hawaiian Interview - with Peter Noone, Sam Thompson, Elvis' bodyguard, 2011 Interview. The film, which had its world premiere at Tribeca and won [], Calling all Orion fans and film supporters. '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. Ellis was gunned Down in His Alabama Pawn Shop December 12, 1998. The coffin cover caused a lot of controversy and was replaced. Orion in Sweden A special thanks to Shelby Singleton, Sun Records; Bobby Smith, Boblo Records; Wayne Hodge, Stargem Records;Jim Hardin, Kardina Records; and Jerry Adams, Flatland Records, and Nick "Scott" Pettafor producing all the great Orion-Jimmy Ellis-Ellis Jamesmusic that will last a lifetime..Thank you!!! 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. All trademarks, labels, covers and logos shown on this website are the sole property of the companies concerned and are included here for reference purposes only. 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. She is an accomplished documentary film maker with 6+ well known films. 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. (Orion) Jimmy Ellis He Has A Great Voice And We Loved All Of His Music. Youmans put the record on the Dradco Recording Company label. It was part of a comedy sketch with artists not to play. He was born in Pascagoula, Mississippi, United States on February 26, 1945. 1. Singleton duly took Orion back to Elvis's roots in rockabilly, rock 'n' roll, country, blues, and gospel. A few weeks later, some guys asked me to come down to their room where they were playing music so I decided to go. The sale is temporary to offer fans who missed these CDs the first time around a real deal. Dradco will release a 6 CD set in 2018 to commemorate the 20th anniversary since Jimmys passing. Super rare memorabilia from the start up of the singing career of Jimmy Ellis! During that same year, with record in hand, I took Jimmy Ellis to Macon to meet Bobby Smith at his recording studio. Along the way, and particularly towards the end, Jimmy was not happy with the whole thing. Thanks for your help!. We were married when I returned to the states. Ellis hailed from Orrville, Alabama and began his recording career in 1964. Running time: 86 minutes in full colour. EIN: Did he come to resent the Orion character and if so, how strongly? 2. [3], On December 12, 1998, Ellis was murdered during a robbery in his store, Jimmy's Pawn Shop. One of the guys asked me if I knew who that was singing on the tape recorder. EIN: Jimmys first Orion album, Reborn. [3], In 1978, writer Gail Brewer-Giorgio published a novel, Orion, about a leading popular singer based on Presley who faked his death. 2) Jimmy Ellis aka Orion. The film is being produced by Jeanie Finlay, a British artist and filmaker. 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. It is the story of Jimmy Ellis, a singer from Alabama who was cursed with having a voice identical to that of . A hit record or some fuckin' tour we did that on many a time. 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. Im on the upper deck of our cabin in the picture here (see photo above). Jim Highley. EIN: There are conflicting reports of who else was with Jimmy at the time, some reports say his fianc, others say his ex-wife. How many Elvis tribute artists have had any unofficial album releases let alone 150 bootleg albums released? EIN:Bobby D. its been great talking with you. Excitement - Orion (Jimmy Ellis) was fun loving, had a great sense of humor, and a great personality. INTERNET DOWNLOADS. Adios till we meet again! ORION (JIMMY ELLIS) A STRANGER IN MY PLACE 6 RADIO STATION SPOTS SUN 1152 MINT-. He quickly says "he sounds just like Elvis" and then puts on a copy of the mask worn by Orion for the album picture. However, after failing to retain his popularity using his real name, he returned to performing as Orion in 1987. The leader singer of The Trammps. 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. Once Jimmy signed with Sun Records in Nashville, we drifted apart.me with my career and Jimmy trying to make it in the music industry. EIN: Bobby, many thanks for taking time to talk to us today. 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. 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. Newspaper adverts and reports of his numerous appearances also very much appreciated. Sundance Selects acquires Orion: The Man Who Would Be King for US Theatrical release. 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.. Jimmy Ellis - If I Can't Have You His first two singles were covers of two of the King's former hits, "That's All Right" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky." That day, Elaine Thompson, his x-wife was filling in for Shirley Connell who had gone home to Memphis for the weekend. [3], Singleton tore off his mask at a performance in 1983, saying he would not wear it again. Well, he then said: no, its that guy, pointing to the guy sitting on the bed. 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 . He had perfect pitch, automatic vibrato, and wide range in his voice. Given Jimmy's keen sense of humor he must be looking down and smiling! We join the Ellis family and friends and fans all . What exactly happened? We have just received an intro and preview clip from the up coming documentary "Orion The Movie". If you have further details on any releases not included or would like to trade Orion recordings or material please drop me an email. Ellis recorded an album under his own name, Sometimes Words Just Get In The Way, for a small label in . 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!!!". Production costs turned out to be too high compared to the demand on the box set, making the release too economically challenging to make. The album cover itself generated controversy because it depicted a phantom singer rising from a coffin, and was later withdrawn. Jimmy Hodges "Orion" Ellis Sr. Scheduled for release next year is Jeanne Finlay's intriguing film, Orion: The Man Who Would Be King, and also due for release in 2015 is a radio documentary about southern USA music which includes a segment about the Jimmy "Orion" Ellis story. The girls went wild. 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. His first two singles were covers of two of the King's former hits, "That's All Right" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky.". How many Elvis tribute artists have commercially produced memorabilia released about them? New 2016 DVD release of the award winning documentary on the life and career of Jimmy Ellis. 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. 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. Jimmy was very happy we did this and he liked getting a periodic check for CD sales. It's like an artist painting a picture. If you want to support the artist or artists that recorded and released this music, please go and purchase their music. While friends of the singer Jimmy Ellis have speculated that Orion could well have been The King's half-brother. 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. He then left the store and caught up with his two young friends waiting down the road in a car. In early 1965, I transferred to Georgia Southern College in Statesboro, GA and lost touch with Jimmy for a number of years. Again, the speculation was that Elvis had sung on the songs, particularly "Save the Last Dance for Me". So, I have kept the site going since 1998. It's the story of a masked. He loved to have a good time, loved to sing and entertain. 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. Of the thousands who in some way look(ed), perform(ed) or sound(ed) like Elvis there is one performer who stands well apart from the rest. Bobby D.: Not really. Bobby then immediately offered Jimmy a recording contract. Ellis made a public confession in 1983 admitting he was Orion. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. Jimmy Ellis In The Shadow Of a King Book NOW AVAILABLE! Orion to recieve Lifetime Achievement Award in Las Vegas! 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. Born in 1945 in Orville, Alabama. 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. $4.00 shipping. His birth certificate states the mother was a secretary named Gladys Bell, and the father was Vernon (no surname). Explore. It begins with the 1972 single on which Orion, then simply Jimmy Ellis, recorded 'That's All Right/Blue Moon Of Kentucky.' He was who he was, no pretense. Orion". American vocalist (February 26, 1945 in Orrville, Alabama - December 12, 1998 in Alabama), also known as Jimmy "Orion" Ellis, and known for his close vocal similarity to Elvis. They were sung in the same style in which Elvis would have sung them. He travelled to Nashville and tried to break into the music business - but found. The mysterious phone call came from a stranger with a Presley-like voice, claiming to be Orion. 1 1953-56'In Depth Book Review: 'Aloha From Hawaii' 40th Anniv LEGACY CD Review: Aloha From Hawaii - The Concert 2013- EIN Exclusive Review: 'Prince From Another Planet In-Depth Review: Once Upon A Time: Elvis and Anita (Memories of My Mother) - Book Review: 'A Boy From Tupelo' special In-depth Review: 'The Elvis Files Vol. Ellis hailed from Orrville, Alabama and began his recording career in 1964. Youmans formed a small group and had Jimmy sing at a few local schools. 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! Who is this person??? Think of it as an online flash mob. Join the OrionThunderclap, and you and [], "If Elvis is alive, The book is also available along withtheReborn CD (the first LP on Sun by Orion). your own Pins on Pinterest You may also like> Jimmy Barnes Net Worth, Age, Height, Weight, Husband, Wiki, Family EIN: Jimmy Ellis, the person.away from the stage or recording studio. Orion Jimmy Ellis - The Official Web Site Welcome!! At one point he even released the single Im Trying Not to Sound Like Elvis. During his time with Sun, Ellis/Orion cut over 11 albums and toured with the Oak Ridge Boys, Jerry Lee Lewis, and other stars like Dionne Warwick. 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. The name Orion was borrowed from a book about a very famous but unhappy singer who faked his death in a desperate bid to escape from . It is hold together by a stitch in the upper left corner. 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 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. On Monday I carried his CDs to work and played them throughout the day. Hopefully in time the details given can be guaranteed to be100% correct but a great deal more info is required before reaching that stage. We were both only children, but Jimmy was not selfish or too self-centered. Our biography book on Jimmy Ellis is now available here on this website! 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. 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). Many years later, I recorded four songs at Stargem Studios in Nashville, the same studio Jimmy had also recorded at earlier. Cover/label scans wanted of any of the following: Cover scans of discs issued on the unofficial Jack Daniels label. Elvis Presley, Elvis and Graceland are trademarks of Elvis Presley Enterprises. Jimmy said: Ill kill you, and we had a big laugh.
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