orion jimmy ellis the official website

(Orion) Jimmy Ellis He Has A Great Voice And We Loved All Of His Music. In later years after the breakup with Sun, Jimmy and I got back together for visits in Memphis. As the Orion story unfolded, it was clear these forces played straight to the hearts and deep-seated psychological needs of many Elvis fans! Backed by the Jordanaires and opening act Sherry Carlisle, Orion sang to a packed house on August 12, 1997 at Nashville's Nightlife Theater. Raised in Orrville, Alabama, Ellis began his recording career in 1964. 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. Think of it as an online flash mob. Join the OrionThunderclap, and you and [], "If Elvis is alive, Bobby D.: Jimmy Ellis and I met in college at age 18 in 1963. The sale is temporary to offer fans who missed these CDs the first time around a real deal. ORION (JIMMY ELLIS) A STRANGER IN MY PLACE 6 RADIO STATION SPOTS SUN 1152 MINT-. He also recorded several albums for Sun between 1979 and 1981 and built up a substantial live following, still wearing his mask. Thunderclap is a tool that lets a message be heard when you and your friends say it together. Taken straight from the mastertapes. How many Elvis tribute artists are still remembered nearly 20 years after their death? Jimmy Ellis In The Shadow Of a King Book NOW AVAILABLE! Cover scans of any CD's on the unofficial Orion Records label. His first two singles were covers of two of the Kings former hits, Thats All Right and Blue Moon of Kentucky.. He quickly says "he sounds just like Elvis" and then puts on a copy of the mask worn by Orion for the album picture. So I said: come on, thats Elvis I have the album. Newspaper adverts and reports of his numerous appearances also very much appreciated. We only index and link to content provided on other servers. He started the album on the record player to play Echoes of Love. Shawn. Thats the special since the regular price is $12.95. 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. After winning a state fair competition, his first professional performance was in a Demon's Den nightclub in Albany, Georgia. How many Elvis tribute artists have a fan club with more than 15,000 members? Jimmy just could not help that he sounded like someone else EP. 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. Jim Highley. 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. Excitement - Orion (Jimmy Ellis) was fun loving, had a great sense of humor, and a great personality. Orion". $4.00 shipping. The album featured some excellent songs including "Ebony Eyes", "Honey", and "Washing Machine". 'There are many that believe that Elvis is still alive - if he is alive he wears a mask and goes by the name Orion' (Nashville News 1979) ORION's the story of Jimmy Ellis, an unknown singer plucked from obscurity, and thrust into the spotlight as part . Ellis appeared with many artists, including Loretta Lynn, Jerry Lee Lewis, Tammy Wynette, Ricky Skaggs, Lee Greenwood, Gary Morris, and the Oak Ridge Boys. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------. He appeared as Orion Eckley Darnell, the character created August 16, 1977, by a Marietta [Georgia], housewife Gail Brewer-Giorgo. So, thats how Jimmy Ellis and I met and became lifelong friends. Ellis was born in either Pascagoula, Mississippi,[2] Orrville, Alabama,[3] or Washington, D.C.,[1] United States, into a single parent home. So who is this person a performer whose sad end is one we normally expect from a fabricated and dramatically intensified Hollywood film? Thank you very much!! I couldnt quite make out the voice. Hopefully in time the details given can be guaranteed to be100% correct but a great deal more info is required before reaching that stage. I was in a small band named the Catalinas in Macon, GA my hometown and loved music. Published by Flaming Star The official Elvis Presley Fan Club of Norway. Click on the LP and 45 rpm records page. I miss him a lot! Many years later, I recorded four songs at Stargem Studios in Nashville, the same studio Jimmy had also recorded at earlier. EIN: Bobby, you currently have a special offer on the site. As Orion, Ellis reached Billboard's country chart with nine singles. The . EIN often receives requests for information on these releases. A man who for more than 10 years chased a career as a romantic southern crooner with a love of rockabilly and nostalgic love songs. Bobby D.: Jimmy's story and music is important- he was very talented - and these releases will celebrate his life and career. 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 On Monday I carried his CDs to work and played them throughout the day. The book that started it all (in classic conspiracy fashion, its 'first edition' featured two 'author' names!!). The crew had also made a pretty decent copy of the blue mask Orion wore on the Reborn album. Mr. 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! Explore. Instead of listing Ellis' first album on the label, Singleton printed a question mark. 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! EIN: Bobby, many thanks for taking time to talk to us today. These books arevintage - new and are a collector's item. Scans of the COUNTRY FROM THE HEART CD on the Lanier Records label. is the only Elvis stylist to have merchandise and memorabilia released (still sold online in 2014! Genesis.Jimmy Hughes Bell was born on 26 February 1945 to a single mother (named) Gladys. Scan of the Plantation Records cassette release 16 AWARD WINNING COUNTRY SONGS. You tell your friends who tell their friends who tell their friends WHAT IS THUNDERCLAP? There is a new film about Orion being made by the talented moviemaker from England, Jeanie Finlay. 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. 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. Bobby D.: As mentioned before, it was Elaine Thompson, Jimmys ex-wife and another lady who normally worked at the store. Solve the mystery and then use a smartphone or GPS device to navigate to the solution coordinates. 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). EIN: Did the Orion experience change Jimmy as a person? EIN: Jimmy Ellis, the person.away from the stage or recording studio. 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***. HEARTBREAK HOTEL By the time he was a teenager, it was clear that Jimmy Ellis had two talents: singing, and inadvertently sounding almost exactly like Elvis Presley. Even before the Orion phenomenon had really taken off he released a self-penned single on the small Boblo label, I'm Not Trying To Be Like Elvis. He wanted better recording material (new songs) and production sound in other studios but Sun (Shelby Singleton) would not agree. Super rare memorabilia from the start up of the singing career of Jimmy Ellis! For the next 10 years Jimmy would balance music and his business interests. On this website you will find the latest Orion/Jimmy Ellis news along with other info you might find useful. http://www.elvisinfonet.com/spotlight-orion-2014.html, The Tonight Show from NY with Jimmy Fallon. A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY. $11.99. 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. Informacin detallada del sitio web y la empresa: jean-puy.com Jean Puy un peintre fauve And that's the way it was. 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! Lee's appeal against the sentence was refused by the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals on October 9, 2009,[7] and a writ of certiorari was denied by the Supreme Court of the United States in April 2018. THIS SITE IS DEDICATED TO JIMMY ELLIS "ORION" THE MUSIC & LEGEND OF THE MAN WHO HAD THE VOICE OF A KING. 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. Sales have not been great since the fan base has long since scattered but I enjoy doing it to keep his talent known, as much as possible. Inevitably, being born 10 years after Elvis, his struggle could never be won. Boomer on Shelby. Bobby D.: No, not really. This blog is for preview purposes only and all music downloaded should be deleted within 24 hours. Jimmy came from a Christian family and held his belief in God the Father throughout his life. ***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***. Police later found Lee holed up in a motel about 30 miles outside Atlanta. 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. EIN: Did he come to resent the Orion character and if so, how strongly? You know , it was like, here I am creating this and doing the work. Please visit my own Jimmy Ellis page for information and links. So if you filmed him, recorded him or are in possession of anything I might be interested in then do not hesitate to take contact with me thru my e-mail: jimmyellisfan@yahoo.no, All Rights Reserved. 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. The terrain is 2.5 and difficulty is 2 (out of 5). His first two singles were covers of two of the King's former hits, "That's All Right" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky.". Jimmy was, and still is, my favorite Elvis sound-alike singer. Official site; Kenneth Dokkeberg's Jimmy Ellis / Orion website; Musiclovers - Discography, audio samples and a lot more! EIN:One of the incredible things about Jimmy and his Orion alter-ego is that there were around 150 bootleg recordings of his studio and live recordings released. 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. Jimmy really liked my version of My Special Angel that we listened to for the first time while riding around in Nashville. Bobby D.: I suppose I just want to continue to help get Jimmys name and talent out there for people to enjoy what was missed. He said, "Don't worry about it, you don't buy the fuckin records anyway." 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. 'My voice is both a blessing and a curse' (Jimmy Ellis/Orion during media interview), Controversial Sun Records 1978 Orion 'Reborn' (coffin) album cover. Charlie Rich sang along with Lewis on two other songs. He travelled to Nashville and tried to break into the music business - but found. That was December 4, 1998 - The Nightlife Theatre in Nashville, TNwhat a show!!! 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. I love music too and do some song leading at church. 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. Source: www.orionjimmyellis.com & www.lasvegaselvisfestival.com, 1 Comments / 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 responded: gosh Jimmy what if I did. EIN: Jimmys first Orion album, Reborn. Happy Birthday EIN EIN turns 100 a retrospective! He also started to run a store in Selma, Alabama, with his girlfriend Elaine Thompson. The tape recorder was playing the song Echoes of Love from Elvis Kissin Cousins album. JIMMY ELLIS, LTD., LIMITED PARTNERSHIP 1975 CONTRACT RARE! Sundance Selects has acquired North American rights to Orion: The Man Who Would Be King, the feature documentary written and directed by Jeanie Finlay. Who is this person??? That's not recording. Scans of the unofficial CD titled JIMMY ELLIS THE SINGLES. [6] His album Reborn, showing the singer emerging from a coffin, was released on gold-colored vinyl on the Sun label in 1978. The book has been a huge task with 12+ years of research. They wrote both of the songs. 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!). Jimmy's contributions to the group, both in his personality and in his amazing tenor, will never be forgotten. I could not believe what I was hearing. 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 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. It doesnt cost a penny but has great impact! 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. It's the story of a masked. [3], Singleton tore off his mask at a performance in 1983, saying he would not wear it again. 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. Bobby had recorded Otis Redding and Wayne Cochran plus many local bands. had 10 Top 100 hits on the Country Music Chart in the US! Leave a comment or question. The other lady fell to the floor with blood on her and played dead while Jimmy tried to crawl behind a computer desk. 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. Along the way, and particularly towards the end, Jimmy was not happy with the whole thing. The controversial 'Reborn' album with its "coffin" cover. 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. You can make comments on the tab provided, or on Facebook at "Orion Jimmy Ellis Fan Club" or "Orion Jimmy Ellis Group". 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. A hit record or some fuckin' tour we did that on many a time. Given Jimmy's keen sense of humor he must be looking down and smiling! His birth certificate states the mother was a secretary named Gladys Bell, and the father was Vernon (no surname). Oct 7, 2013 - Orion Jimmy Ellis - The Official Web Site. I really like the way he sang songs that Elvis never recorded in versions that still sounded a lot like Elvis. Being in a band, we did some Elvis songs, and I was a big fan and knew Elvis voice well. 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. 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). : Since Elvis' explosion onto the world stage in the mid 1950s there have been countless Elvis tribute artists, imitators, impersonators, stylists and sound-a-likes offering and emulating a watershed musical icon. His first two singles were covers of two of the King's former hits, "That's All Right" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky." 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. Shipping is at the media rate in the U.S. Here's a new link to an excellent Orion page done by Nigel Patterson with the EIN (Elvis Information Network) in Australia. 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 was born in Pascagoula, Mississippi, United States on February 26, 1945. The book is also available along withtheReborn CD (the first LP on Sun by Orion). EIN: Your friendship with Jimmy Ellis. To see the film clip and make a donation, please click on the link below. It's like an artist painting a picture. We are told that the documentary is moving along but, as with many projects, monetary donations would be appreciated to help get to completion. "He just opened fire in seconds and hit Mr. Ellis in the side.". 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. One of them, a tall guy with a buzzed haircut, was sitting on a single bed by an old record player and a reel-to-reel tape recorder. If you can add to the info given please e-mail me. He left Sun Records, never again appearing to the public as Orion. He used to say: you can sound like other artists and make it but if you sound like Elvis they dont want to play your records. Jimmy Ellis (born February 26, 1945 - died December 12,1998) was born in Orrville, Alabama on February 26th of 1945. In later years after the breakup with Sun, Jimmy and I got back together for visits in Memphis. Who was he? And, you wonder if helistened to "Ebony Eyes" and the rest of the LP. There is no media rate for international shipping, but we are covering part of the high shipping cost. Bobby D.: Not very much except recording at home when the mood strikes. His natural voice was very similar to the voice of Elvis Presley, read more That's not a career. EIN: You operate the official Jimmy Ellis/Orion website. 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. 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. A real EP story. Directors Statement Who was that masked man? Could you clarify who was working with him that day? : Aloha From Hawaii - The Concert 2013- EIN Exclusive, Elvis at Madison Square Garden 40 Years Ago. The album cover itself generated controversy because it depicted a phantom singer rising from a coffin, and was later withdrawn. 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. 1. Ellis appeared with many . Our biography book on Jimmy Ellis is now available here on this website! It is old and worn just like it should be. He also recorded several albums for Sun between 1979 and 1981 and built up a substantial live following, still wearing his mask. ", and it was rumored that they were alternate takes from Presley sessions (despite featuring an electric rather than string bass). In 1972, he worked for Sun Records (Presley's label) with producer Shelby Singleton in Nashville. A talented athlete, Jimmy was awarded a two-year athletic scholarship at Middle Georgia Junior College and was courted for a baseball career and a tryout with the Milwaukie Braves but turned it down. He loved to have a good time, loved to sing and entertain. This is the definitive book on a man with the voice of a King. 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. Scan of the German cassette release LET YOUR LOVE FLOW on the Sun/Bellaphon label. Sung By . All three men were apprehended. [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.