The mysterious phone call came from a stranger with a Presley-like voice, claiming to be Orion. Ellis recorded an album under his own name, Sometimes Words Just Get In The Way, for a small label in . iTunes, Amazon) and not physical discs. He also had a great personality with a quick wit. As the Orion story unfolded, it was clear these forces played straight to the hearts and deep-seated psychological needs of many Elvis fans! Jimmy "Orion" Ellis, also known as James Hughes Bell was an American Singer. In its way, the story underscores some of the dark, disturbing aspects of image-making, music marketing, and how the music industry builds stars but destroys individuals. Many years later, I recorded four songs at Stargem Studios in Nashville, the same studio Jimmy had also recorded at earlier. With Jerry Adams, Sharon Attaway Nettleton, Gail Brewer-Giorgio, Boomer Castleman. Bobby knew a lot of people in the business and was a producer for King Records at one time. So who is this person a performer whose sad end is one we normally expect from a fabricated and dramatically intensified Hollywood film? Sun Records legend Orion (Jimmy Ellis) is known internationally for his gifted singing ability and dynamic personal appearances. How many Elvis tribute artists are still remembered nearly 20 years after their death? EIN often receives requests for information on these releases. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. All trademarks, labels, covers and logos shown on this website are the sole property of the companies concerned and are included here for reference purposes only. This blog does not store any files on its server. In 1972, he worked for Sun Records (Presley's label) with producer Shelby Singleton in Nashville. James Hodges Ellis (born James Hughes Bell, February 26, 1945 December 12, 1998), who used the stage name Orion at times in his career, was an American singer. 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. Bobby D.: Actually, I know there are bootleg ones out there, but Im not familiar with all of them. There is a new film about Orion being made by the talented moviemaker from England, Jeanie Finlay. Later, we met a guy named Jimmy Youmans also a student. He said, "Don't worry about it, you don't buy the fuckin records anyway." These songs has appeared on other compilations or a collection of songs. 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. In 1972, he worked for Sun Records (Presley's label) with producer Shelby Singleton in Nashville. 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 and I were alike in that respect. The album cover itself generated controversy because it depicted a phantom singer rising from a coffin, and was later withdrawn. His birth certificate states the mother was a secretary named Gladys Bell, and the father was Vernon (no surname). He then left the store and caught up with his two young friends waiting down the road in a car. 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. 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. 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. Elvis Presley: Was Jimmy 'Orion' Ellis The King's half-brother? The Wonder how in the world the producer picked an Orion album?? It's like an artist painting a picture. 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. 2) Jimmy Ellis aka Orion. The Elvis Information Network home to the best news, reviews Jimmy Ellis (Orion) - You Don't Have To Say You Love Me (live 1989) 21,230 views Nov 5, 2014 218 Dislike Kenneth Dokkeberg 677 subscribers Jimmy "Orion" Ellis live at Hillbilly Heaven on. While performing at the Eastern States Exposition, Ellis took off the mask and swore to never wear it again. After attended Middle Georgia College and Georgia Southern College before joining the USAF. If you want to support the artist or artists that recorded and released this music, please go and purchase their music. 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. 'My voice is both a blessing and a curse' (Jimmy Ellis/Orion during media interview), Controversial Sun Records 1978 Orion 'Reborn' (coffin) album cover. 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. 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. This blog is for preview purposes only and all music downloaded should be deleted within 24 hours. It was issued on Sun without an artist name, and created a furor because Ellis bore such an uncanny vocal resemblance to Elvis. JIMMY ELLIS, LTD., LIMITED PARTNERSHIP 1975 CONTRACT RARE! Elvis Presley, Elvis and Graceland are trademarks of Elvis Presley Enterprises. 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***. He fired once into her face, killing her instantly and hitting another worker, Helen King, in the hand. Details of songs performed at any of the listed shows would be especially welcome. Bobby D.: The gimmick of Orion lasted about 3 years. Scan of the Plantation Records cassette release 16 AWARD WINNING COUNTRY SONGS. In an, Georgia Pines CD - Playground Records Promo Card. Posted by dokkeberg@hotmail.com in Uncategorized and tagged as. 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. 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. Later that day, sheriff's deputies caught up with the two alleged accomplices, Andre Darren Lee, 19, who is the alleged gunman's brother, and Jerry Dewayne Johnson, 17, who is his cousin. It begins with the 1972 single on which Orion, then simply Jimmy Ellis, recorded 'That's All Right/Blue Moon Of Kentucky.' [4] Aged two, he moved with his mother to Birmingham, Alabama, where he was put up for adoption and, aged four, was adopted by R. F. and Mary Faye (nee Hodges) Ellis. 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------, A selection of the many colorful Orion masks, each with its own name. It is also very possible that several other titles circulating on the internet . The other lady fell to the floor with blood on her and played dead while Jimmy tried to crawl behind a computer desk. Ellis appeared on the album cover wearing a mask over his eyes. 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. Scans of sleeves and labels would be of real interest as would track listings of further foreign releases. The album featured some excellent songs including "Ebony Eyes", "Honey", and "Washing Machine". Orion recorded a single, Ebony Eyes, for Sun in 1979, which became part of his debut album, Reborn. Our biography book on Jimmy Ellis is now available here on this website! Unfortunately, despite the fact that most of the songs he recorded were not covers of Elvis songs, he could not escape the uncanny similarities between their natural voices. Problem is he doesn't play enough ofthe song for the audience to hear. Three thugs intent on thievery pulled up outside the pawn shop on Dec. 12, 1998, and one of them Jeffrey Lee walked inside, pulled a sawed-off shotgun hidden in his heavy . The . I often wonder what that would have done for Jimmys career since Phil Walden was nationally known. Well, Jimmy finally had enough and took the mask off at a New Years show in the Atlanta area in 1981. Scans of the orange label version of the CD single SUNDAY FATHER on the Lanier Records label. 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! 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." Scan of New Zealand release of the JERRY LEE LEWIS - DUETS album (Sun L27036). 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. Jimmy was, and still is, my favorite Elvis sound-alike singer. The coffin cover caused a lot of controversy and was replaced. Did Jimmy ever comment to you about the cover? '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. If he sounds different on them, I will know he is faking. That one along with the first original album now on CD - Orion Reborn are offered for $8.95 each. 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. Click on the LP and 45 rpm records page. Scans of any Jimmy Ellis/Orion release or alternate versions not included on this website would be greatly appreciated. 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). Jimmy Ellis (Orion) - You Don't Have To Say You Love Me (live 1989) The Dan Lentino Management Group in Las Vegas is honoring Orion / Jimmy Ellis posthumously with a lifetime achievement award. These titles and their eye catching specially made front covers would appear to be exclusively for internet downloads (eg. 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. The terrain is 2.5 and difficulty is 2 (out of 5). Jimmy "Orion" Ellis Wikipedia Republished // WIKI 2 The film 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. Watch the stunning trailer for Orion The Man Who Would Be King. 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. Jimmy Ellis was one of the super talented yes like Elvis, Tom Jones, Engelbert my all-time favorite solo artists. Thanks for your help! EIN: You operate the official Jimmy Ellis/Orion website. Orion: The Man Who Would Be King - poignant story of Elvis soundalike Ellis was gunned Down in His Alabama Pawn Shop December 12, 1998. Given Jimmy's keen sense of humor he must be looking down and smiling! Thank you very much!! I was in a small band named the Catalinas in Macon, GA my hometown and loved music. 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 later years after the breakup with Sun, Jimmy and I got back together for visits in Memphis. 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! Before we talk about your friendship with Jimmy Ellis, who is Bobby D? Website. '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 . EIN:Jimmy Ellis, the personaway from the stage or recording studio. He said: man you may make it before I do. Scans of the unofficial CD titled JIMMY ELLIS THE SINGLES. Shipping is at the media rate in the U.S. Ellis, Jimmy "Orion" Type: Person Gender: Male Born: 1945-02-26 Born in: Pascagoula, Mississippi, United States Died: 1998-12-12 (aged 53)Died in: Selma, Alabama, United States Area: United States ISNI code: 0000 0004 3983 0212 Rating 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. Ebony Eyes "By" (Orion) Jimmy Ellis - YouTube Being in a band, we did some Elvis songs, and I was a big fan and knew Elvis voice well. Ellis hailed from Orrville, Alabama and began his recording career in 1964. This boxed set documents Orion's career on the legendary Sun Records label. was blessed with a natural singing voice remarkably similar to Elvis. Posted by dokkeberg@hotmail.com in Top, Uncategorized and tagged as, 0 Comments / He had perfect pitch, automatic vibrato, and wide range in his voice. 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. http://www.orionstc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Jimmy-Ellis-Early-years-PROMO.mp3. One of Music's Biggest Conspiracy Theories: Was the Pop Star Orion