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. The mysterious phone call came from a stranger with a Presley-like voice, claiming to be Orion. 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. 1. EIN: Bobby, you currently have a special offer on the site. How many Elvis tribute artists have had any unofficial album releases let alone 150 bootleg albums released? Jimmy just could not help that he sounded like someone else EP. Orion's mystique and allure was so universally popular among fans that Orion singles and albums were released in Europe and "downunder" in Australia. Huffman said King, who played dead, was treated and released from a hospital for her hand wound. Orion had several hits on the country music chart, including "Am I That Easy to Forget" (1980), "Rockabilly Rebel" (1981), and "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" (1981). Bobby D: Jimmy Ellis was actually the same off stage as he was on stage. Links to Orion / Jimmy Ellis sites. Jimmy Ellis (Orion) - You Don't Have To Say You Love Me (live 1989) 21,230 views Nov 5, 2014 218 Dislike Kenneth Dokkeberg 677 subscribers Jimmy "Orion" Ellis live at Hillbilly Heaven on. In 1972, he worked for Sun Records (Presley's label) with producer Shelby Singleton in Nashville. 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. To see the film clip and make a donation, please click on the link below. After winning a state fair competition, his first professional performance was in a Demon's Den nightclub in Albany, Georgia. [7] Jeffrey Lee was convicted of the murder of Ellis and Ellis's ex-wife Elaine Thompson, who was working as an employee at the store, and the attempted murder of employee Helen King. Besides, I had childhood issues that I was not good enough. Two of the many Orion items still being sold in 2014: ----------------------------------------------------------------------. He could laugh about most anythinghe was alot of fun at home and especially on stage!! 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. Ellis appeared with many artists, including Loretta Lynn, Jerry Lee Lewis, Tammy Wynette, Ricky Skaggs, Lee Greenwood, Gary Morris, and the Oak Ridge Boys. [4] Aged two, he moved with his mother to Birmingham, Alabama, where he was put up for adoption and, aged four, was adopted by R. F. and Mary Faye (nee Hodges) Ellis. We have a limited supply of this1979 hardcover version of the book "Orion" by Gail Brewer-Giorgio. Copyright the Elvis Information Network. He quickly says "he sounds just like Elvis" and then puts on a copy of the mask worn by Orion for the album picture. 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. How did that come about and what can fans expect to find on the site? He said, "Don't worry about it, you don't buy the fuckin records anyway." That voice!.While he had a natural Elvis-like singing voice, throughout his adult life Jimmy strove to be recognised as a serious artist in his own right, a person who was inherently a wonderfully talented and gifted entertainer whose magical presence touched many people.That talent was genetically pre-determined and embryonically, DNA dictated.its essence was not because he sounded remarkably like Elvis! Her 1978 novel Orion told the story of a rock and roll singer, very much like Elvis, who faked his own death. Then, he introduced me to Jimmy Ellis, the guy by the tape recorder who had said nothing. He also recorded several albums for Sun between 1979 and 1981 and built up a substantial live following, still wearing his mask. Memorial ID. 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. 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. Please tell our readers about this and how they can order. 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. INTERNET DOWNLOADS. Bobby D. on YouTube (who does Bobby sound like? And, you wonder if helistened to "Ebony Eyes" and the rest of the LP. 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]. I do miss playing live. He didnt know anything about computers and web sites so I had a company in Raleigh, NC develop the original site for us. In 1972, he worked for Sun Records (Presley's label) with producer Shelby Singleton in Nashville. Jimmy Ellis (with mask) as Orion (note his hair color), Orion (sans mask) as Jimmy Ellis (note his natural hair color), Above images sourced from the official "Orion-Jimmy Ellis" website. I finished college with a BBA while my wife worked, and I got the GI Bill. Here is the bizarre story of Jimmy Ellis, or, as he was also known, Orion. EIN: Given you have a great singing voice why didnt you pursue a recording/performing career? . and goes by the name 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. It is hold together by a stitch in the upper left corner. Very unfortunately, Jimmy Ellis along with his wife, was killed in December the 12th 1998 by a male robber. The Elvis Information Network has been running since 1986 and is an EPE officially recognised Elvis fan club. Cover scans of any CD's on the unofficial Orion Records label. ORION (JIMMY ELLIS) A STRANGER IN MY PLACE 6 RADIO STATION SPOTS SUN 1152 MINT-. 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!). These songs has appeared on other compilations or a collection of songs. Death 12 Dec 1998 (aged 53) . ORION: The Man Who Would Be King, a film by Jeanie Finlay 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. He wanted better recording material (new songs) and production sound in other studios but Sun (Shelby Singleton) would not agree. James Burton Interview - Rick Nelson & Elvis: Elvis Drummer Jerome "Stump" Monroe EIN Interview: Elvis in 1969 - Ann Moses & Ray ConnollyInterviews: Ernst Jorgensen interview about 'On Stage' and Elvis' Legacy in 2010: 'The Nation's Favourite Elvis Song' Spotlight. )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. 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. 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'. The terrain is 2.5 and difficulty is 2 (out of 5). Taken straight from the mastertapes. Scans of the unofficial CD titled JIMMY ELLIS THE SINGLES. 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. Scans of the COUNTRY FROM THE HEART CD on the Lanier Records label. The CDs are offered on the official web site: www.orionjimmyellis.com. And, after I heard Jimmy, I knew I was not.>. EIN: Does it surprise you that Jimmy still has so many fans nearly 20 years after his tragic death? 2. A Tribute to the "Masked Man": Jimmy Ellis aka "Orion". Learn more about merges. Some listeners believed that Orion was, in fact, Presley, who had supposedly faked his death. 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. Are they still available in 2014? NASA.gov brings you the latest images, videos and news from America's space agency. EIN:Jimmy Ellis, the personaway from the stage or recording studio. Given Jimmy's keen sense of humor he must be looking down and smiling! [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. 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. Jimmy Ellis (born February 26, 1945 - died December 12,1998) was born in Orrville, Alabama on February 26th of 1945. He was who he was, no pretense. As Jim Ellis, he released an album in 1987 and continued to tour North America; interestingly, he resumed wearing his mask. Another regular lady was also working that day. EIN: Did the Orion experience change Jimmy as a person? 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. Scan of the 8 track cassette release TRUCKS, TRAINS & AIRPLANES on Gusto Records. 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. What you see is what you get. 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. This blog does not store any files on its server. While in Germany, met my future wife, the daughter of a Major, fighter pilot stationed at the same base. (EIN Comment: Bobby D. should get back to playing "live" - he is naturally gifted with a great voice!). Little is known about Jimmy's life before becoming a recording artist - what is known is that he was raised by traditional but loving parents who ensured he was able to receive a good education. By the late 1980s, Jimmy was again performing on stage in his Orion persona and while not enjoying the buoyant career he had between 1978 and the early 1980s he had regular bookings, including in Europe where he was especially sought after.
Why Do Gymnasts Have Thick Necks,
Black Rock Country Club Membership Fees,
Articles O