The answer.Jimmy Ellis aka the masked man, Orion. The Jimmy Ellis/Orion story is one of great potential, qualified success, ongoing disappointment and ultimately, tragedy! 'My voice is both a blessing and a curse' (Jimmy Ellis/Orion during media interview), Controversial Sun Records 1978 Orion 'Reborn' (coffin) album cover. Death 12 Dec 1998 (aged 53) . If you want to support the artist or artists that recorded and released this music, please go and purchase their music. Shipping is at the media rate in the U.S. 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'. That eventually led to Sun Records in Nashville. In 1972, he worked for Sun Records (Presleys label) with producer Shelby Singleton in Nashville. At that point Shelby was done with their arrangement and so was Jimmy. He fired once into her face, killing her instantly and hitting another worker, Helen King, in the hand. The record got a little airplay in Macon, GA in 1964. Orion page at Sun Records; Jimmy at Elvis Wiki He also started to run a store in Selma, Alabama, with his girlfriend Elaine Thompson. 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. December 1998. Boomer on Shelby. As Jim Ellis, he released an album in 1987 and continued to tour North America; interestingly, he resumed wearing his mask. Orion mention on The tonight show with jimmy fallon, http://beta.orionstc.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/17-Out-Of-My-Life-live.mp3. 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. In 1972, he worked for Sun Records (Presley's label) with producer Shelby Singleton in Nashville. 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. EIN: Bobby, many thanks for taking time to talk to us today. During that same year, with record in hand, I took Jimmy Ellis to Macon to meet Bobby Smith at his recording studio. Jimmy Ellis (born February 26, 1945 - died December 12,1998) was born in Orrville, Alabama on February 26th of 1945. His first two singles were covers of two of the King's former hits, "That's All Right" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky." ORION (JIMMY ELLIS) A STRANGER IN MY PLACE 6 RADIO STATION SPOTS SUN 1152 MINT-. [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. The Dan Lentino Management Group in Las Vegas is honoring Orion / Jimmy Ellis posthumously with a lifetime achievement award. Born in 1945 in Orville, Alabama. You can make comments on the tab provided, or on Facebook at "Orion Jimmy Ellis Fan Club" or "Orion Jimmy Ellis Group". And that's the way it was. 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. He appeared as Orion Eckley Darnell, the character created August 16, 1977, by a Marietta [Georgia], housewife Gail Brewer-Giorgo. The other lady was standing just behind Elaine. We were married when I returned to the states. The book has been a huge task with 12+ years of research. JIMMY ELLIS, LTD., LIMITED PARTNERSHIP 1975 CONTRACT RARE! 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. The records were endorsed as genuine Presley recordings by the song's co-writer Doc Pomus, the music journalist Roy Carr, and the TV show Good Morning America which undertook a voice comparison test of the song against Presley's voice. 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. I finished college with a BBA while my wife worked, and I got the GI Bill. Details of songs performed at any of the listed shows would be especially welcome. Take a look at the following table for more information. 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!!! You can make comments on the tab provided, or on the Orion Facebook Fan Club. 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. 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. Low prices on Jimmy Ellis discography of music albums at CD Universe, with top rated service, Jimmy Ellis songs, discography, biography, cover art pictures, sound samples, albums, etc. Bobby D.: I was born in Macon, GA in 1945. Dradco will release a 6 CD set in 2018 to commemorate the 20th anniversary since Jimmys passing. Orion was well-known in the sixties and seventies for having a singing voice. He didnt know anything about computers and web sites so I had a company in Raleigh, NC develop the original site for us. Youmans formed a small group and had Jimmy sing at a few local schools. 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. 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. The film is being produced by Jeanie Finlay, a British artist and filmaker. 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. had 10 Top 100 hits on the Country Music Chart in the US! 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. I am always on the lookout for Orion/Jimmy Ellis concerts that I dont have. 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. 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. SUBSCRIBE FOR ARTIST + LABEL NEWS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, EVENTS AND MORE. We join the Ellis family and friends and fans all . 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. 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. It is written by myself (Kenneth Dokkeberg), Steve Kelley (Orions road manager) and Bobby Dillard (personal friends since College). Ellis appeared on the album cover wearing a mask over his eyes. The Kissin Cousins movie was on at the local theater, and I had seen it recently. 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. Singleton duly took Orion back to Elvis's roots in rockabilly, rock 'n' roll, country, blues, and gospel. In reality, Orion was the club singer Jimmy Ellis, who was born in Orrville, Alabama, in 1945. He said: man you may make it before I do. Raised in Orrville, Alabama, Ellis began his recording career in 1964. 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. http://www.elvisinfonet.com/spotlight-orion-2014.html, The Tonight Show from NY with Jimmy Fallon. I was in a small band named the Catalinas in Macon, GA my hometown and loved music. 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. Our biography book on Jimmy Ellis is now available here on this website! So who is this person a performer whose sad end is one we normally expect from a fabricated and dramatically intensified Hollywood film? He could laugh about most anythinghe was alot of fun at home and especially on stage!! A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY. 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. EIN often receives requests for information on these releases. As the Orion story unfolded, it was clear these forces played straight to the hearts and deep-seated psychological needs of many Elvis fans! Charlie Rich sang along with Lewis on two other songs. 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. We put the official web site www.orionjimmyellis.com together three months before his tragic death in December 1998. I never gave up music and a friend and I played at a local pub for extra money while finishing school. He makes a mistake and some asshole over here says don't worry about it, it will be alright. These titles and their eye catching specially made front covers would appear to be exclusively for internet downloads (eg. The albums were quite popular, and Orion had three Top 70 hits, including Am I That Easy to Forget. He had four minor hits the following year, including the contemporary rockabilly song Crazy Little Thing Called Love, originally recorded by the rock group Queen. On this website you will find the latest Orion/Jimmy Ellis news along with other info you might find useful. There is no media rate for international shipping, but we are covering part of the high shipping cost. Read More #MyOrion "If Elvis is alive, he wears as mask and goes by the name Orion" Oct 7, 2013 - Orion Jimmy Ellis - The Official Web Site. Scans of any Jimmy Ellis/Orion release or alternate versions not included on this website would be greatly appreciated. I miss him a lot! 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. 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. Thats the special since the regular price is $12.95. is the only Elvis stylist to have merchandise and memorabilia released (still sold online in 2014! Bobby D.: Actually, I know there are bootleg ones out there, but Im not familiar with all of them. The film, which had its world premiere at Tribeca and won [], Calling all Orion fans and film supporters. AVAILABLE HERE LOWER PRICE! 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. How many Elvis tribute artists have several websites devoted to them. 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. Bobby Dillard was a close friend of the late Jimmy Ellis.the man who, wearing a mask, became a key part of the 'Elvis is alive' movement, as the mysterious singer, Orion! We are told that the documentary is moving along but, as with many projects, monetary donations would be appreciated to help get to completion. Then it happened. Many fans will not be aware of this circumstances. The . We put the official web site www.orionjimmyellis.comtogether three months before his tragic death in December 1998. This site is very much a "work in progress" and is being updated all the time. Similarly, there was an incontrovertible and diametrically opposed outcome for each side. 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. With Jerry Adams, Sharon Attaway Nettleton, Gail Brewer-Giorgio, Boomer Castleman. 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. Orion Jimmy Ellis - The Official Web Site Welcome!! 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. If you can add to the info given please e-mail me. The controversial 'Reborn' album with its "coffin" cover. You know , it was like, here I am creating this and doing the work. We have just received an intro and preview clip from the up coming documentary "Orion The Movie". The crew had also made a pretty decent copy of the blue mask Orion wore on the Reborn album. It will focus on his early years before he became the masked singer Orion. EIN:Bobby D. its been great talking with you. The film is being produced by Jeanie Finlay, a British artist and filmaker. Orion in Sweden Could you clarify who was working with him that day? Again, he was who he was period. 1. 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. Jimmy grinned sleeplessly and said: Ill show you how this works. 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! 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. How many Elvis tribute artists are still remembered nearly 20 years after their death? Bobby D: My recollection is that on Saturday, December 12, 1998, Jimmy was getting ready to go on a duck hunting trip on Sunday with his son, a doctor friend and others. Wonder how in the world the producer picked an Orion album?? They were sung in the same style in which Elvis would have sung them. What exactly happened? He also recorded several albums for Sun between 1979 and 1981 and built up a substantial live following, still wearing his mask. 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. He also recorded several albums for Sun between 1979 and 1981 and built up a substantial live following, still wearing his mask. It doesnt cost a penny but has great impact! In 1979 Jimmy Ellis finally merged with an identity, but it still wasn't himself. Bobby D: Jimmy Ellis was actually the same off stage as he was on stage. We hope that thisweb site will in some way bring to light thetalent of Jimmy Ellis (Orion) and that it will bring you, as fans, or as new comers, joy through the love of his music and his short life on this earth. While friends of the singer Jimmy Ellis have speculated that Orion could well have been The King's half-brother. The Elvis Information Network has been running since 1986 and is an EPE officially recognised Elvis fan club. 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. 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. For the next 10 years Jimmy would balance music and his business interests. This is the definitive book on a man with the voice of a King. 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! The Elvis Information Network has been running since 1986 and is an EPE officially recognised Elvis fan club. Links to Orion / Jimmy Ellis sites. You tell your friends who tell their friends who tell their friends WHAT IS THUNDERCLAP? Ellis entered Middle Georgia College on an athletic scholarship, then transferred to Livingston State University. How & where do I sell my Elvis collection? 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. It will be presented at this years Las Vegas Elvis Fest at the LVH formerly the Las Vegas Hilton on July 11th. EIN: Bobby, is there anything else you would like to say to our readers and Jimmy Ellis/Orion fans? 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. Explore. http://www.orionstc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Jimmy-Ellis-Early-years-PROMO.mp3. 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. Solve the mystery and then use a smartphone or GPS device to navigate to the solution coordinates. Chet came back and said: Bobby, he sounds the same on all of them. He would give you things and himself freely. Jimmy really liked my version of My Special Angel that we listened to for the first time while riding around in Nashville. 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 had the voice and charisma that drew you to him. However, after failing to retain his popularity using his real name, he returned to performing as Orion in 1987. 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 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! EIN: Your friendship with Jimmy Ellis. Jimmy Ellis (born February 26, 1945 - died December 12,1998) was born in Orrville, Alabama on February 26th of 1945. Cover scans of any CD's on the unofficial Orion Records label. Police later found Lee holed up in a motel about 30 miles outside Atlanta. 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. The book has been a huge task with 12+ years of research. Happy Birthday EIN EIN turns 100 a retrospective! And, after I heard Jimmy, I knew I was not.>. How many other Elvis tribute artists have book, film and radio documentary adaptations of their story? Bobby D.: It was a pleasure. Leave a comment or question. was courted for a baseball career and a tryout with the Milwaukie Braves but turned it down. It is old and worn just like it should be. Copyright the Elvis Information Network. 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. EIN: You operate the official Jimmy Ellis/Orion website. How many Elvis tribute artists have had 10 Top 100 hits on the Country Music Chart? Who was he? Support Good Music. Spotlight article by Nigel Patterson, June 2014, (for the purposes of this article I will use the term Elvis stylist in reference to the person in question). Offered here is a two sheet info about the partnership which was presented to the stockholder. Jimmy was a really good guitar player and very musically inclined. After winning a state fair competition, his first professional performance was in a Demon's Den nightclub in Albany, Georgia. http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/orion-the-man-who-would-be-king, 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. 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. I do miss playing live. Did Jimmy ever comment to you about the cover? Huffman said King, who played dead, was treated and released from a hospital for her hand wound. And, you wonder if helistened to "Ebony Eyes" and the rest of the LP. THIS SITE IS DEDICATED TO JIMMY ELLIS "ORION" THE MUSIC & LEGEND OF THE MAN WHO HAD THE VOICE OF A KING. That's not a career. 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. 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. It has hundreds of unseen photos, interviews with musicians and other people close to Jimmy.