His first two singles were covers of two of the Kings former hits, Thats All Right and Blue Moon of Kentucky.. Our biography book on Jimmy Ellis is now available here on this website! 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. A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY. [12] It was released theatrically in the US by Sundance Selects on December 4, 2015. He was who he was, no pretense. It has hundreds of unseen photos, interviews with musicians and other people close to Jimmy. Scan of the German cassette release LET YOUR LOVE FLOW on the Sun/Bellaphon label. In his insightful interview, Bobby D. reveals what (the real) Jimmy Ellis was like off-stage and covers a range of subjects including: Bobby D. operates the official Jimmy Ellis/Orion website and is a singer himself. A Tribute to the "Masked Man": Jimmy Ellis aka "Orion". For the musician also known as Orion, see, "Jimmie Ellis and the Appolos: Don't Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch", "U.S. Supreme Court won't review cases of two Alabama death row inmates", "Orion: The Man Who Would Be King review wonderfully weird | Film", "Orion: The Man Who Would Be King (2015)", "British Independent Film Awards 2015: the winners in full", "Sundance Selects acquires 'Orion: The Man Who Would Be King' for US Theatrical release", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jimmy_%22Orion%22_Ellis&oldid=1135156032, This page was last edited on 23 January 2023, at 00:00. This is a fan site. Two years before she had begun a novel about a musical superstar, Orion, who faked his own death to find much-needed peace and privacy, based on the circumstances surrounding Elvis death. It is old and worn just like it should be. 5 1969-70' Book Review: 'From Hawaii to Las Vegas' FTD CD Review: 'Young Man with the Big Beat' In-Depth Review: 'Fashion For A King' FTD in-depth Review: The Music of Elvis Presley - Australian Radio Show, Elvis Presley In Concert "downunder" 2006, Graceland - The National Historic Landmark. The film is being produced by Jeanie Finlay, a British artist and filmaker. 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. Add your masked portrait to I Am Orion, THE ROLLERCOASTER RISE AND TRAGIC FALL OF THE 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. 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. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. 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. While performing at the Eastern States Exposition, Ellis took off the mask and swore to never wear it again. How many Elvis tribute artists are still remembered nearly 20 years after their death? 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. The girls went wild. http://www.elvisinfonet.com/spotlight-orion-2014.html, The Tonight Show from NY with Jimmy Fallon. Look for a micro hidden container. Thanks for your help!. Being in a band, we did some Elvis songs, and I was a big fan and knew Elvis voice well. I had just talked to him on Friday December 11. They are remembered for their hit single "Disco Inferno" (1976). EIN:Bobby D. its been great talking with you. There is a new film about Orion being made by the talented moviemaker from England, Jeanie Finlay. One of the guys asked me if I knew who that was singing on the tape recorder. The strange part of the tale began in January 1979, when author Gail Brewer-Giorgio received a bizarre early-morning phone call. Ellis died in his store about 10 minutes after the attack, Huffman said. Again, the speculation was that Elvis had sung on the songs, particularly "Save the Last Dance for Me". If you can add to the info given please e-mail me. Running time: 86 minutes in full colour. EIN: Did the Orion experience change Jimmy as a person? He travelled to Nashville and tried to break into the music business - but found. In 1972, he worked for Sun Records (Presleys label) with producer Shelby Singleton in Nashville. I was in a small band named the Catalinas in Macon, GA my hometown and loved music. 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. 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***. Listeners of Orion were initially split into two camps: those who knew that Orion was Jimmy Ellis just having some fun sounding like Elvis , and others who sincerely believed or wanted to believe that he was truly Elvis coming back on the scene after faking his own death. 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? Orion to recieve Lifetime Achievement Award in Las Vegas! Elvis Presley, Elvis and Graceland are trademarks of Elvis Presley Enterprises. Many thanks again and all the best for the future. He is a phenomenon in his own right albeit because of his Elvis connection - a connection which figuratively haunted him throughout his tragically, shortened career. Adios till we meet again! Anyway, he got that voice from somewhere in his original family.not from Sears, as he once said. Ellis first album appearance for Sun was as an unidentified singer singing duet with Jerry Lee Lewis on ten tracks of the 1978 album Duets (Sun 1011). While in Germany, met my future wife, the daughter of a Major, fighter pilot stationed at the same base. For the soul singer, member of The Trammps, please see Jimmy Ellis (2) Sites: Wikipedia, orionjimmyellis.com, oriondiscs.com Aliases: Kenneth Dokkeberg. The album cover itself generated controversy because it depicted a phantom singer rising from a coffin, and was later withdrawn. With Jerry Adams, Sharon Attaway Nettleton, Gail Brewer-Giorgio, Boomer Castleman. Oct 7, 2013 - Orion Jimmy Ellis - The Official Web Site. Leave a comment or question. Ellis appeared with many . The CDs are offered on the official web site: www.orionjimmyellis.com. The album disc was on the record player. Jimmy came from a Christian family and held his belief in God the Father throughout his life. iTunes, Amazon) and not physical discs. I'm Leavin'.Despite an initially (somewhat) artistically and (somewhat) financially beneficial arrangement for Jimmy Ellis, eventually the combination of an increasingly unfulfilling and unwanted masked career as an Elvis sound-a-like confronted his primal burning desire to be recognised and appreciated as "himself". For one side, they would quite naturally (and self-directed), psychologically rationalise and morph their needs to maintain internal equilibrium and ongoing personal and social engagement.for the other side his outcome would be economically directed and physically terminal, as his 'what if' life diverted to a course which outwardly may have offered some degree of financial and personal satisfaction, but one which (pragmatically) was also underpinned by a volatile socio-economic environment which could potentially (and did) result in a seriously intense incident or incidents: Jimmy Ellis' new (primary) career as a bail bondsman and pawn shop proprietor would very sadly, very unfairly, result in his violent, premature death on 12 December 1998. 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!!! How many Elvis tribute artists have commercially produced memorabilia released about them? [3], Singleton tore off his mask at a performance in 1983, saying he would not wear it again. 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. You can make comments on the tab provided, or on the Orion Facebook Fan Club. The guys in the room were mostly the colleges basketball players. I finished college with a BBA while my wife worked, and I got the GI Bill. Evaluating the Jimmy Ellis/Orion legacy..While many continue to dismiss Jimmy Ellis as simply an Elvis imitator, to do so ignores critically important organic elements which place his story on a very different level to that of normal Elvis tribute artists! An album featuring the duet came out and the controversy really heated up when Good Morning America had the Friends voice scientifically scanned and analyzed and concluded that it could be no one but Presley. Help us spreadthe word about our cinema releaseby signing up for an ORIONtweetor aFacebookpost here onThunderclap. 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. Just before noon, he decided to go by his pawn shop to check on things. 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 said, "Don't worry about it, you don't buy the fuckin records anyway." He also had a great personality with a quick wit. 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. Jimmy had the voice and charisma that drew you to him. 5 1969-70' Book Review: 'From Hawaii to Las Vegas' FTD CD Review: 'Young Man with the Big Beat' In-Depth Review: 'Fashion For A King' FTD in-depth Review: The Music of Elvis Presley - Australian Radio Show, Elvis Presley In Concert "downunder" 2006, Graceland - The National Historic Landmark. INTERNET DOWNLOADS. ", and it was rumored that they were alternate takes from Presley sessions (despite featuring an electric rather than string bass). 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 Im on the upper deck of our cabin in the picture here (see photo above). Bobby D.: Not very much except recording at home when the mood strikes. Jimmy Ellis - If I Can't Have You 1. The Final Performance CD is a good example of the kind of interaction and humor Orion had with the audience. 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. 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. I miss him a lot! Boomer on Shelby. : Aloha From Hawaii - The Concert 2013- EIN Exclusive, Elvis at Madison Square Garden 40 Years Ago. 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. The label credited the recordings simply to "? 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!). 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. 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. Fittingly, his legend lives on, and quite ironically, both as Jimmy Ellis and Orion! Bobby D.: The gimmick of Orion lasted about 3 years. Bobby D.: Jimmy Ellis and I met in college at age 18 in 1963. 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. February 1945 - 13th. At that point Shelby was done with their arrangement and so was Jimmy. December 1998. I thought that was an odd question but I said: sure, its Elvis Presley. 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. He loved to have a good time, loved to sing and entertain. EIN: There are conflicting reports of who else was with Jimmy at the time, some reports say his fianc, others say his ex-wife. 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. Then it happened. ***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***. Support Good Music. Huffman said King, who played dead, was treated and released from a hospital for her hand wound. was blessed with a natural singing voice remarkably similar to Elvis. It begins with the 1972 single on which Orion, then simply Jimmy Ellis, recorded 'That's All Right/Blue Moon Of Kentucky.' They were sung in the same style in which Elvis would have sung them. Ellis hailed from Orrville, Alabama and began his recording career in 1964. You can see the trailer for the movie and back the project here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/orion-the-man-who-would-be-king. [1] He attended Orrville High School, where he excelled in baseball, football and basketball. As they say all PR is good PR! Thanks for your help! These songs has appeared on other compilations or a collection of songs. Tell us about that. He fired once into her face, killing her instantly and hitting another worker, Helen King, in the hand. He then left the store and caught up with his two young friends waiting down the road in a car. [6] His album Reborn, showing the singer emerging from a coffin, was released on gold-colored vinyl on the Sun label in 1978. The jury recommended Lee be sentenced to life without parole, but the judge sentenced Lee to death. You know , it was like, here I am creating this and doing the work. The shooter is in jail with a death sentence. ORION (JIMMY ELLIS) A STRANGER IN MY PLACE 6 RADIO STATION SPOTS SUN 1152 MINT-. 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. 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! Police later found Lee holed up in a motel about 30 miles outside Atlanta. Elvis Presley, Elvis and Graceland are trademarks of Elvis Presley Enterprises. 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. Learn more about merges. 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. The Dan Lentino Management Group in Las Vegas is honoring Orion / Jimmy Ellis posthumously with a lifetime achievement award. Details of songs performed at any of the listed shows would be especially welcome. 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). Well, he then said: no, its that guy, pointing to the guy sitting on the bed. 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. Before we talk about your friendship with Jimmy Ellis, who is Bobby D? 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. 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 . Click on the LP and 45 rpm records page. 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. Ellis was gunned Down in His Alabama Pawn Shop December 12, 1998. Thank you very much!! It will focus on his early years before he became the masked singer Orion. Here's a new link to an excellent Orion page done by Nigel Patterson with the EIN (Elvis Information Network) in Australia. : Aloha From Hawaii - The Concert 2013- EIN Exclusive, Elvis at Madison Square Garden 40 Years Ago. Bobby D.: As mentioned before, it was Elaine Thompson, Jimmys ex-wife and another lady who normally worked at the store. '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. 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 once said: you cant make it on someone elses coattail. In an, Georgia Pines CD - Playground Records Promo Card. 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. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Later, we met a guy named Jimmy Youmans also a student. Problem is he doesn't play enough ofthe song for the audience to hear. 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. The mysterious phone call came from a stranger with a Presley-like voice, claiming to be Orion. 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. 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. EIN: Bobby, many thanks for taking time to talk to us today. Think of it as an online flash mob. Join the OrionThunderclap, and you and [], "If Elvis is alive, It was part of a comedy sketch with artists not to play. In later years after the breakup with Sun, Jimmy and I got back together for visits in Memphis. Shawn. The leader singer of The Trammps. In early 1965, I transferred to Georgia Southern College in Statesboro, GA and lost touch with Jimmy for a number of years. It's the story of a masked. Given you have a great singing voice why didnt you pursue a recording/performing career? 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. 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. We were both only children, but Jimmy was not selfish or too self-centered. 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. Jimmy really liked my version of My Special Angel that we listened to for the first time while riding around in Nashville. To use this website you must enable JavaScript. Take a look at the following table for more information. Jimmy was, and still is, my favorite Elvis sound-alike singer. We are told that the documentary is moving along but, as with many projects, monetary donations would be appreciated to help get to completion. * Released After Jimmy Ellis's death in 1999. A couple of songs can be heard at the URLs below. (EIN Comment: Bobby D. should get back to playing "live" - he is naturally gifted with a great voice!). This dynamic performer differentiates himself from all others for a number of reasons. These titles and their eye catching specially made front covers would appear to be exclusively for internet downloads (eg. The book is also available along withtheReborn CD (the first LP on Sun by Orion). He was NOT an impersonator, as he tried desperately to explain. Orion's mystique and allure was so universally popular among fans that Orion singles and albums were released in Europe and "downunder" in Australia. On this website you will find the latest Orion/Jimmy Ellis news along with other info you might find useful. We are told that the documentaryis moving along but, as with many projects,monetary donations would be appreciated to help get it to completion. [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. The book that started it all (in classic conspiracy fashion, its 'first edition' featured two 'author' names!!). Oct 7, 2013 - Orion Jimmy Ellis - The Official Web Site. Click on the LP and 45 rpm records page. But, it was really him. [5] His vocals closely resembled those of Elvis Presley, and in 1969 Shelby Singleton, who had acquired the rights to Sun Records' back catalog, other than Presley's recordings for the label, released a single of Ellis' recordings of Presley's early songs, "That's All Right (Mama)" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky". 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 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.
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