He then dragged the cash register off the counter and got about $135.00 out of it. 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. He said: man you may make it before I do. 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. Sun Records legend Orion (Jimmy Ellis) is known internationally for his gifted singing ability and dynamic personal appearances. 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. '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. Jimmy Fallon goes "Orion" - Fallon does segment on worst albums he says doNOT buy. EIN: Did he come to resent the Orion character and if so, how strongly? His first two singles were covers of two of the Kings former hits, Thats All Right and Blue Moon of Kentucky.. Boomer on Shelby. 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. The film is being produced by Jeanie Finlay, a British artist and filmaker. The mysterious phone call came from a stranger with a Presley-like voice, claiming to be Orion. Running time: 86 minutes in full colour. [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". 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. 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. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________. It has hundreds of unseen photos, interviews with musicians and other people close to Jimmy. he wears as mask
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. [3], In 1978, writer Gail Brewer-Giorgio published a novel, Orion, about a leading popular singer based on Presley who faked his death. 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. http://www.orionstc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Jimmy-Ellis-Early-years-PROMO.mp3. 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. Posted by dokkeberg@hotmail.com in Top, Uncategorized and tagged as, 0 Comments / I finished college with a BBA while my wife worked, and I got the GI Bill. On this website you will find the latest Orion/Jimmy Ellis news along with other info you might find useful. We join the Ellis family and friends and fans all . In early 1965, I transferred to Georgia Southern College in Statesboro, GA and lost touch with Jimmy for a number of years. As they say all PR is good PR! We were married when I returned to the states. These titles and their eye catching specially made front covers would appear to be exclusively for internet downloads (eg. You know , it was like, here I am creating this and doing the work. He was NOT an impersonator, as he tried desperately to explain. But, it was really him. Watch the stunning trailer for Orion The Man Who Would Be King. On Monday I carried his CDs to work and played them throughout the day. Jimmy Ellis (born February 26, 1945 - died December 12,1998) was born in Orrville, Alabama on February 26th of 1945. If he sounds different on them, I will know he is faking. It is pertinent to say that while Jimmy was fanatically worshipped by fans, it was Gail Brewer-Giorgio and Shelby Singleton (remember the infamous "Duets" album with Jerry Lee Lewis) who were banking the lion's share of money as the cash registers kept on "ching chinging" as Jimmy Ellis/Orion connected with an avid, loyal and increasingly fanatical audience. 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. After the first blast, which left the 53-year-old Ellis mortally wounded and crawling for safety, the gunman turned his weapon on the singer's 44-year-old ex-wife, Elaine Thompson, who was on a stool behind the counter. My mom had bought me GI Blues and a new record player when I was only 10 years old and I would try to play some of the songs and sing. We have just received an intro and preview clip from the up coming documentary "Orion The Movie". NASA.gov brings you the latest images, videos and news from America's space agency. It is written by myself (Kenneth Dokkeberg), Steve Kelley (Orions road manager) and Bobby Dillard (personal friends since College). And, after I heard Jimmy, I knew I was not.>. Source: www.orionjimmyellis.com & www.lasvegaselvisfestival.com, 1 Comments / For almost 5 years the Orion phenomenon captivated its natural audience, not only in the US where fans had easy access to Orion, but also overseas - somewhat surprisingly given it was a snail mail, pre-tabloid, pre-Internet era. In 1962, Ellis entered the Orrville (Alabama) High School talent show. I had just talked to him on Friday December 11. Discover (and save!) Who was he? ORION (JIMMY ELLIS) A STRANGER IN MY PLACE 6 RADIO STATION SPOTS SUN 1152 MINT-. 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. EIN: Listening to My Special Angel and Hes Got You it is apparent that you also have a singing voice very similar Elvis. Is that your natural singing voice? 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. ", and it was rumored that they were alternate takes from Presley sessions (despite featuring an electric rather than string bass). Ellis appeared with many . Copyright the Elvis Information Network. The book has been a huge task with 12+ years of research. 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. He travelled to Nashville and tried to break into the music business - but found. These songs has appeared on other compilations or a collection of songs. Mr. As Orion, Ellis reached Billboard's country chart with nine singles. [12] It was released theatrically in the US by Sundance Selects on December 4, 2015. 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. 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! For the next 10 years Jimmy would balance music and his business interests. One of them is Orion's Reborn LP and he plays a snippet of "Washing Machine" written by Jimmy Ellis. MYSTERY MASKED MAN WITH THE VOICE OF A LEGEND. Bobby D.: Jimmy Ellis and I met in college at age 18 in 1963. The film is being produced by Jeanie Finlay, a British artist and filmaker. You tell your friends who tell their friends who tell their friends WHAT IS THUNDERCLAP? We are told that the documentary is moving along but, as with many projects, monetary donations would be appreciated to help get to completion. EIN: Does it surprise you that Jimmy still has so many fans nearly 20 years after his tragic death? 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. your own Pins on Pinterest The record got a little airplay in Macon, GA in 1964. A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY. Click on the LP and 45 rpm records page. In a town steeped in strange success stories, hidden agendas, and dashed dreams, Orion's tale is one of the most curious ever to originate in Music City USA--which is saying something. 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. Given Jimmy's keen sense of humor he must be looking down and smiling! Again, the speculation was that Elvis had sung on the songs, particularly "Save the Last Dance for Me". Orion was well-known in the sixties and seventies for having a singing voice. The Dan Lentino Management Group in Las Vegas is honoring Orion / Jimmy Ellis posthumously with a lifetime achievement award. Ellis recorded an album under his own name, Sometimes Words Just Get In The Way, for a small label in . Memorial ID. Ellis entered Middle Georgia College on an athletic scholarship, then transferred to Livingston State University. Scan of the 8 track cassette release TRUCKS, TRAINS & AIRPLANES on Gusto Records. Bobby knew a lot of people in the business and was a producer for King Records at one time. A year prior, Jimmy Ellis voice had been overdubbed with Jerry Lee Lewis on an old single from the Sun archives, Save the Last Dance for Me; on it, Ellis was billed only as Friend. The single made the Top 20 and caused quite a stir as listeners tried to guess the mysterious Friends identity. Thunderclap is a tool that lets a message be heard when you and your friends say it together. A real EP story. Here's a new link to an excellent Orion page done by Nigel Patterson with the EIN (Elvis Information Network) in Australia. They were sung in the same style in which Elvis would have sung them. Bobby D. on YouTube (who does Bobby sound like? To The Official Orion - Jimmy Ellis Web Site All LP Albums Now on Sale These Classic LP Albums from Sun Records are new and sealed and will never be made again. His natural voice was very similar to the voice of Elvis Presley, read more What you see is what you get. We put the official web site www.orionjimmyellis.com together three months before his tragic death in December 1998. Popular Ellis/Orion bootleg releases included titles such as Crazy on the Blue Danube and Jimmy In A Viennese Cellar. Bobby D.: Jimmy never commented about the LP coffin cover to me, but he was not hot on the mask gimmick from the start. [9][10][11] The film won the Discovery Award at the British Independent Film Awards 2015. the story behind Bobby D's friendship with Jimmy Ellis, how Jimmy felt about his "Orion" character. It will be presented at this years Las Vegas Elvis Fest at the LVH formerly the Las Vegas Hilton on July 11th. He didnt know anything about computers and web sites so I had a company in Raleigh, NC develop the original site for us. While friends of the singer Jimmy Ellis have speculated that Orion could well have been The King's half-brother. Her 1978 novel Orion told the story of a rock and roll singer, very much like Elvis, who faked his own death. Bobby D.: Yes, that is just my natural voice. So, I have kept the site going since 1998. Scans of the orange label version of the CD single SUNDAY FATHER on the Lanier Records label. He was who he was, no pretense. 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. He then left the store and caught up with his two young friends waiting down the road in a car. The leader singer of The Trammps. I thought that was an odd question but I said: sure, its Elvis Presley. I never gave up music and a friend and I played at a local pub for extra money while finishing school. Jimmy really liked my version of My Special Angel that we listened to for the first time while riding around in Nashville. He also recorded several albums for Sun between 1979 and 1981 and built up a substantial live following, still wearing his mask. : --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------. Thank you very much!! Orion". 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. I have to say I was floored. Jimmy just could not help that he sounded like someone else EP. is the only Elvis stylist to have had bootleg material released more than a dozen labels have released around 150 albums of his studio and live material! Well, Jimmy finally had enough and took the mask off at a New Years show in the Atlanta area in 1981. Given you have a great singing voice why didnt you pursue a recording/performing career? Bobby D.: Well, we just had a limited number of the out-of-print CD - Orion Country repressed. 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. Jimmy Ellis - If I Can't Have You Elvis Presley, Elvis and Graceland are trademarks of Elvis Presley Enterprises. 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. 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. (Orion) Jimmy Ellis He Has A Great Voice And We Loved All Of His Music. How many Elvis tribute artists have had any unofficial album releases let alone 150 bootleg albums released? . 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! A few weeks later, some guys asked me to come down to their room where they were playing music so I decided to go. 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. 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!!!". Happy Birthday EIN EIN turns 100 a retrospective! How many Elvis tribute artists are still remembered nearly 20 years after their death? Click on the LP and 45 rpm records page. I hope people will remember that some of the masters are owned by us and others over in Norway/Denmark. ): I continued with my Human Resources career for many years and retired in the mountains of NC two years ago. I love music too and do some song leading at church. It is old and worn just like it should be. 17 Comments / 2. 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. Kenneth Dokkeberg. 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. He was standing before the display counter in his Jimmy's Pawn and Package Store just after noon Saturday when the gunman burst in and, in seconds, turned the quiet shop into a slaughterhouse. Stay Away LIVE (Elvis Presley Photo Compilation), Elvis Presley - Suspicious Minds (Viva Elvis), Don't Count Your Chickens / Love Is But A Love, There Ya Go / Here Comes That Feeling Again, There You Go / Here Come's That Wonderful Feeling Again, I'm Not Trying To Be Like Elvis / Games You Been Playing, Save The Last Dance For Me / Am I To Be The One, Washing Machine / Before The Next Teardrop Falls, Stranger In My Place / It Ain't No Mystery, Crazy Little Thing Called Love / Matchbox, Honky Tonk Heaven / Morning, Noon And Night, I'm Saving Up My Pennies (1982) / I'm Starting Over, One Hundred Pounds Of Clay / Because He Lives, Thank God For America / I Make The Livin', Sunday Father / Thank God For America (1986), I Want you, I Need You, I Love You / Plastic Saddle, Love It Back Together / If That Isn't Love, Honey / Lover Please / Got You On My Mind / Mona Lisa / Before The Next Teardrop Fall / Ebony Eyes / Washing Machine / Baby, I Still Love You / You Can Have Her / Lonesome Angel, Moody Blue / Return To Sender / Hurt / Kentucky Rain / Can't Help Falling In Love / It's Now Or Never / Burning Love / You Don't Have To Say You Love Me / My Way / Love Me Tender / Mean Woman Blues / Teddy Bear, Secret Love / You Can't Judge A Book / San Fransisco Is A Lonely Town / Then I'll Be Over You / I Heard You Talking With Your Eyes / Stranger In My Place / I Hear you Knocking / Turn Around, Look At Me / Baby You Got It / It Ain't No Mystery, Texas Tea / Faded Love / What Did I Promise Her Last Night / Green Green Grass Of Home / Crazy Arms / Send Me The Pillow You Dream On / Help Me Make It Through The Night / Release Me / Please Help Me I'm Falling / The Long Black Veil / Am I That Easy To Forget, Rockabilly Rebel / See you later Alligator / Suzie Q / I'm Gonna Be A Wheel Someday / Rockin' Little Angel / Crazy Little Thing Called Love / Long Tall Sally / Memphis Sun / Peggy Sue / Matchbox, Where He Leads Me / Sweet Hour Of Prayer / I Surrender All / Peace In The Valley / It Is No Secret / I Believe / He Touched Me / Softly And Tenderly / Where No One Stands Alone / Just A Closer Walk With Thee, There's No Easy Way / Baby Please Say Yes / Born / If I Can't Have You / Ain't No Good / Some You Win, Some You Lose / Look Me Up (And Lay It On Me) / Old Mexico / Rainbow Maker / Anybody Out There, Feelings / No One Will Ever Know / I Love You Because / What Now My Love / Somewhere My Love / I Can't Stop Loving You / He'll Have To Go / Snowbird, Snowbird (1981) / Save The Last Dance For Me (1978) / Honey (1978) / Please Help Me I'm Falling (1979) / Feelings (1981) / Help Me Make It Through The Night (1980) / Am I That Easy To Forget (1980) / Mona Lisa (1978) / Before The Next Teardrop Falls (1979) / I Love You Because (1981) / Faded Love (1980) / Crazy Arms (1980) / Release Me (1980) / Green Green Grass Of Home (1981) / Secret Love (1979) / He'll Have To Go (1981) / What Now My Love (1981) / No One Will Ever Know (1981) / I Can't Stop Loving You (1981) / Somewhere My Love (1981), I Need You In My Life / Lay Around And Love On You / Sunday Father / America / Never Too Old To Rock And Roll Sweet Mississippi Memories / Back On The Street / Old Time Rock (re-recording) / I Can't Get Used To Sleepin' By Myself / The Way My Dog Loves Me / Her Memory Just Won't Let Us Lay Down / Down In Mississippi, Only A Woman Like You / Love It Back Together / Lookin' For A Way / She Wakes Me With A Kiss Every Morning / We Can't Go On Living Like This / Plastic Saddle / I Want You, I Need You, I Love You / Hooked On A Feeling / Separate Ways / If That Isn't Love, Feel Right / Since I Met You Baby / Slow Hand / Nothing Short Of Dying / Love Is In The Air / That's The Thing About Love / At This Moment / It Only Hurts When I Cry / Tips Of My Fingers / Treat Me Nice, Just A Closer Walk With Thee / Amazing Grace / Where Could I Go But to The Lord / You'll Never Walk Alone / I'll Fly Away / Lead Me, Guide Me / Peace In The Valley / Stand By Me / Because He Lives / Precious Memories, Restless / Lay Around And Love On You / I Need You In My Life / Out Of The Blue / Memories Won't Let Us Lay Down / Dream On Me / Can't Get Used To Sleeping By Myself / Sunday Father / Old Pipeliner / Old Time Rock, Steady As She Goes / He Has His Hand On Your Heart / Love Is The Only Way Out / Between Hello And Goodbye / Rock Your Baby / I Know Where You Are Coming From / My Boogie Wants To Boogie With You / The Power Of Your Love / If You Ever Want A Fool Round / Starting Over, Here Comes Santa Claus / I'll Be Home For Christmas / O' Little Town Of Bethlehem / Blue Christmas / Santa Bring My Back Back To Me / Holly Leaves And Chistmas Trees / Silent Night / Santa Claus Is Back In Town / Jingle Bells (re-recording) / It Won't Seem Like Christmas Without You, Christmas Memory / A Christmas Filled With Love / The Funny Little Man All Dressed In Red / An Old Fashioned Christmas / Christmas Spirit / Christmas Eve / The Fireplace / You're All I Want For Christmas, Stuck On You / Don't Be Cruel / Crying In The Chapel / All Shook Up / Are You Lonesome Tonight / Teddy Bear (re-recording) / If I Can Dream / I Want You, I Need You, I Love You (re-recording) / That's Al Right (re-recording) / Follow That Dream, "Save The Last Dance For Me" (duet with Jerry Lee Lewis), "Sweet Little Sixteen" (duet with Jerry Lee Lewis), "I Love You Because" (duet with Jerry Lee Lewis), "Cold Cold heart" (duet with Jerry Lee Lewis), "Hello Josephine" (duet with Jerry Lee Lewis), "It Won't Happen With Me" (duet with Jerry Lee Lewis), "What I'd Say" (duet with Jerry Lee Lewis), "Good Golly Miss Molly" (duet with Jerry Lee Lewis), "Be Bop A Lula" (duet with Jerry Lee Lewis), "Good Rockin' Tonight" (duet with Jerry Lee Lewis), "Gentle As A Lamb" (duet with Charlie Rich), "Sittin' And Thinkin' (duet with Charlie Rich), "Gone, Gone, Gone" (duet with Carl Perkins), "It's All In The Game" (duet with Andy Lee Lang), "Puppet On A String" (duet Andy Lee Lang).
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