Many years later, I recorded four songs at Stargem Studios in Nashville, the same studio Jimmy had also recorded at earlier. Which brings us to the incredible story of Orion. EIN: Jimmys death was tragic! Bobby D.: Actually, I know there are bootleg ones out there, but Im not familiar with all of them. We only index and link to content provided on other servers. Oct 7, 2013 - Orion Jimmy Ellis - The Official Web Site. That one along with the first original album now on CD - Orion Reborn are offered for $8.95 each. In reality, Orion was the club singer Jimmy Ellis, who was born in Orrville, Alabama, in 1945. 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. It doesnt cost a penny but has great impact! If you can add to the info given please e-mail me. We are told that the documentary is moving along but, as with many projects, monetary donations would be appreciated to help get to completion. Bobby D.: Jimmy's story and music is important- he was very talented - and these releases will celebrate his life and career. He would give you things and himself freely. However, after failing to retain his popularity using his real name, he returned to performing as Orion in 1987. For the next 10 years Jimmy would balance music and his business interests. Chet came back and said: Bobby, he sounds the same on all of them. We have just received an intro and preview clip from the up coming documentary "Orion The Movie". The story of Jimmy "Orion" Ellis is either one of the greatest cons to be forged in the history of American music or it's one of its greatest unsolved mysteries. In an, Georgia Pines CD - Playground Records Promo Card. A fine talent in his own right, Ellis recorded the song "I'm Not Trying" (Boblo 536) and the album By Request - Ellis Sings Elvis (Boblo 78-829). I have to say I was floored. 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. He then dropped the gun, fled the store and drove off in a car with two accomplices, authorities said. 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. "Mr. Ellis never had time to do nothing or say nothing," Dallas County Sheriff Harris Huffman Jr. told APB News. Bobby D.: Jimmy never commented about the LP coffin cover to me, but he was not hot on the mask gimmick from the start. While friends of the singer Jimmy Ellis have speculated that Orion could well have been The King's half-brother. Orion's mystique and allure was so universally popular among fans that Orion singles and albums were released in Europe and "downunder" in Australia. Very soon after Jimmy entered the store, a young black guy came in carrying a sawed off shotgun and demanded money. Then, he introduced me to Jimmy Ellis, the guy by the tape recorder who had said nothing. The answer is: ONE! 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. And, you wonder if helistened to "Ebony Eyes" and the rest of the LP. How many other Elvis tribute artists have book, film and radio documentary adaptations of their story? In their illuminating examination of the infamous 'Elvis Underground' and activities around the belief Elvis did not die in 1977, Professors R. Serge Denisoff and George Plasketes addressed the Orion phenomenon. 'Elvis: From Louisiana and Memphis 1976' FTD In-depth Review: FTD continues their extensive look at Elvis' performances in 1976 with three July 1976 concerts. 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. EIN: Did he come to resent the Orion character and if so, how strongly? The leader singer of The Trammps. 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! Giorgios book had just come out, so Singleton decided to cash in on its popularity and transform Jimmy Ellis into the mysterious Orion who had phoned the author earlier that year. If you have further details on any releases not included or would like to trade Orion recordings or material please drop me an email. 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. Later, we met a guy named Jimmy Youmans also a student. 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. Shawn. All songs in superb quality, unreleased material from Los Angeles in 75, unrelesased home recordings and soundboard. 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. You know , it was like, here I am creating this and doing the work. had 10 Top 100 hits on the Country Music Chart in the US! 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! Cover/label scans wanted of any of the following: Cover scans of discs issued on the unofficial Jack Daniels label. So I said: come on, thats Elvis I have the album. Jimmy Ellis - If I Can't Have You He fired once into her face, killing her instantly and hitting another worker, Helen King, in the hand. Jimmy just could not help that he sounded like someone else EP. Scan of New Zealand release of the JERRY LEE LEWIS - DUETS album (Sun L27036). 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! I often wonder what that would have done for Jimmys career since Phil Walden was nationally known. Bobby D.: Jimmy Ellis and I met in college at age 18 in 1963. EIN: Bobby, is there anything else you would like to say to our readers and Jimmy Ellis/Orion fans? Scans of sleeves and labels would be of real interest as would track listings of further foreign releases. INTERNET DOWNLOADS. To use this website you must enable JavaScript. They wrote both of the songs. To see the film clip andmake a donation, pleaseclick on the link below. The book that started it all (in classic conspiracy fashion, its 'first edition' featured two 'author' names!!). Orion: The Man Who Would Be King: Directed by Jeanie Finlay. Well, Jimmy finally had enough and took the mask off at a New Years show in the Atlanta area in 1981. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. There is a new film about Orion being made by the talented moviemaker from England, Jeanie Finlay. 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. How many Elvis tribute artists made a living without singing Elvis songs for most of their career? It is also very possible that several other titles circulating on the internet . 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. Bobby knew a lot of people in the business and was a producer for King Records at one time. There is no media rate for international shipping, but we are covering part of the high shipping cost. He also had a great personality with a quick wit. Production costs turned out to be too high compared to the demand on the box set, making the release too economically challenging to make. [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". 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. He said, "Don't worry about it, you don't buy the fuckin records anyway." 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. he wears as mask Copyright the Elvis Information Network. Jimmy then met with Phil Walden, owner of Capricorn Records (the Almond Brothers Band and others) in Macon and was offered a contract, but since Jimmy was under age at the time his parents wouldnt let him sign.another huge mistake. Dates, venues, photographs would all be of great help. SUBSCRIBE FOR ARTIST + LABEL NEWS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, EVENTS AND MORE. Backed by the Jordanaires and opening act Sherry Carlisle, Orion sang to a packed house on August 12, 1997 at Nashville's Nightlife Theater. 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). ", and it was rumored that they were alternate takes from Presley sessions (despite featuring an electric rather than string bass). Please tell our readers about this and how they can order. 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 EIN: Your friendship with Jimmy Ellis. 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. Orion recorded a single, Ebony Eyes, for Sun in 1979, which became part of his debut album, Reborn. New 2016 DVD release of the award winning documentary on the life and career of Jimmy Ellis. The tape recorder was playing the song Echoes of Love from Elvis Kissin Cousins album. THIS SITE IS DEDICATED TO JIMMY ELLIS "ORION" THE MUSIC & LEGEND OF THE MAN WHO HAD THE VOICE OF A KING. The upcoming Orion documentary being done by Jeanie Finley in England should broaden exposure. EIN: There are conflicting reports of who else was with Jimmy at the time, some reports say his fianc, others say his ex-wife. He once said: you cant make it on someone elses coattail. [6] His album Reborn, showing the singer emerging from a coffin, was released on gold-colored vinyl on the Sun label in 1978. The terrain is 2.5 and difficulty is 2 (out of 5). "He just opened fire in seconds and hit Mr. Ellis in the side.". Raised in Orrville, Alabama, Ellis began his recording career in 1964. Leave a comment or question. 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. and goes by the name How & where do I sell my Elvis collection? Many fans will not be aware of this circumstances. The association ended in 1982, and this boxed set includes the very best of the recordings that Jimmy Ellis made for Sun. Shipping is at the media rate in the U.S. 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. 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! Charlie Rich sang along with Lewis on two other songs. Here is what the website says: ORION: The Man Who Would Be King 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. 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. How many Elvis tribute artists have had 10 Top 100 hits on the Country Music Chart? Watch the stunning trailer for Orion The Man Who Would Be King. . He also started to run a store in Selma, Alabama, with his girlfriend Elaine Thompson. Just before noon, he decided to go by his pawn shop to check on things. His natural voice was very similar to the voice of Elvis Presley, read more Could you clarify who was working with him that day? 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. [3] How many Elvis tribute artists have commercially produced memorabilia released about them? That eventually led to Sun Records in Nashville. compilation added to various unofficial releases page. These songs has appeared on other compilations or a collection of songs. 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." They were sung in the same style in which Elvis would have sung them. 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. 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.

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