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***. I never gave up music and a friend and I played at a local pub for extra money while finishing school. 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. It will be presented at this years Las Vegas Elvis Fest at the LVH formerly the Las Vegas Hilton on July 11th. Our biography book on Jimmy Ellis is now available here on this website! If he sounds different on them, I will know he is faking. All three are being held without bail and are facing the possibility of the death penalty on two counts of capital murder, authorities said. [3], In 1978, writer Gail Brewer-Giorgio published a novel, Orion, about a leading popular singer based on Presley who faked his death. I have to say I was floored. He loved to have a good time, loved to sing and entertain. The answer is: ONE! Pictures and track listings are shown below of the titles I have managed to source. How many Elvis tribute artists made a living without singing Elvis songs for most of their career? Jimmy Ellis In The Shadow Of a King Book NOW AVAILABLE! 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. Anyway, he got that voice from somewhere in his original family.not from Sears, as he once said. If you want to support the artist or artists that recorded and released this music, please go and purchase their music. Thanks for your help!. 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. 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. [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". 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. He quickly says "he sounds just like Elvis" and then puts on a copy of the mask worn by Orion for the album picture. 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. 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. The Elvis Information Network has been running since 1986 and is an EPE officially recognised Elvis fan club. February 1945 - 13th. Bobby D.: I loved music but needed to use my education to pay the bills. Instead of listing Ellis' first album on the label, Singleton printed a question mark. Raised in Orrville, Alabama, Ellis began his recording career in 1964. This blog is for preview purposes only and all music downloaded should be deleted within 24 hours. 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. Scans of the unofficial CD titled JIMMY ELLIS THE SINGLES. The terrain is 2.5 and difficulty is 2 (out of 5). The world lost a great singer. 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------, A selection of the many colorful Orion masks, each with its own name. Jimmy grinned sleeplessly and said: Ill show you how this works. If you take something from the container, leave something in exchange. Just before noon, he decided to go by his pawn shop to check on things. Jim Highley. Jimmy Ellis - If I Can't Have You 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. : Aloha From Hawaii - The Concert 2013- EIN Exclusive, Elvis at Madison Square Garden 40 Years Ago. On Monday I carried his CDs to work and played them throughout the day. Singleton duly took Orion back to Elvis's roots in rockabilly, rock 'n' roll, country, blues, and gospel. On Orion's 1979 debut album, Reborn (Sun 1912). If you have further details on any releases not included or would like to trade Orion recordings or material please drop me an email. Then it happened. A WARM WELCOME TO ORIONDISCS This website is a tribute to the U.S. recording artist Jimmy Ellis, and focuses on his many record releases. Please tell our readers about this and how they can order. Jimmy really liked my version of My Special Angel that we listened to for the first time while riding around in Nashville. 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. We put the official web site www.orionjimmyellis.com together three months before his tragic death in December 1998. (Orion) Jimmy Ellis He Has A Great Voice And We Loved All Of His Music. The upcoming Orion documentary being done by Jeanie Finley in England should broaden exposure. Orion". EIN: Jimmy Ellis, the person.away from the stage or recording studio. We are told that the documentaryis moving along but, as with many projects,monetary donations would be appreciated to help get it to completion. 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. Jimmy came from a Christian family and held his belief in God the Father throughout his life. 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 couldnt quite make out the voice. Discover (and save!) Bobby D.: It was a pleasure. '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: Did he come to resent the Orion character and if so, how strongly? Orion was well-known in the sixties and seventies for having a singing voice. I do miss playing live. For the next 10 years Jimmy would balance music and his business interests. Bobby D.: Well, we just had a limited number of the out-of-print CD - Orion Country repressed. Support Good Music. A real EP story. The mysterious phone call came from a stranger with a Presley-like voice, claiming to be Orion. One of the guys asked me if I knew who that was singing on the tape recorder. In 1972, he worked for Sun Records (Presley's label) with producer Shelby Singleton in Nashville. In an, Georgia Pines CD - Playground Records Promo Card. 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. How many Elvis tribute artists have a fan club with more than 15,000 members? Cover scans of any CD's on the unofficial Orion Records label. The album featured some excellent songs including "Ebony Eyes", "Honey", and "Washing Machine". 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. Many fans will not be aware of this circumstances. Boomer on Shelby. I responded: gosh Jimmy what if I did. Take a look at the following table for more information. 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. You tell your friends who tell their friends who tell their friends WHAT IS THUNDERCLAP? EIN: What is Bobby D. doing, musically, these days? Solve the mystery and then use a smartphone or GPS device to navigate to the solution coordinates. Bobby D.: No, not really. They wrote both of the songs. [6] His album Reborn, showing the singer emerging from a coffin, was released on gold-colored vinyl on the Sun label in 1978. He then dropped the gun, fled the store and drove off in a car with two accomplices, authorities said. 2) Jimmy Ellis aka Orion. 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. Could you clarify who was working with him that day? 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. 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. He also started to run a store in Selma, Alabama, with his girlfriend Elaine Thompson. It's the story of a masked. The Elvis Information Network has been running since 1986 and is an EPE officially recognised Elvis fan club. 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. 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: You operate the official Jimmy Ellis/Orion website. Jimmy Ellis (born February 26, 1945 - died December 12,1998) was born in Orrville, Alabama on February 26th of 1945. Ellis appeared on the album cover wearing a mask over his eyes. He could laugh about most anythinghe was alot of fun at home and especially on stage!! The tape recorder was playing the song Echoes of Love from Elvis Kissin Cousins album. 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. Elvis Presley, Elvis and Graceland are trademarks of Elvis Presley Enterprises. At first with all the attention he was getting, Im sure he had fun with it but he really wanted to be known as himself and not try to fool people into thinking he might be Elvis Presley. The book that started it all (in classic conspiracy fashion, its 'first edition' featured two 'author' names!!). Ellis was gunned Down in His Alabama Pawn Shop December 12, 1998. I finished college with a BBA while my wife worked, and I got the GI Bill. 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. 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). It begins with the 1972 single on which Orion, then simply Jimmy Ellis, recorded 'That's All Right/Blue Moon Of Kentucky.' 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. 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. Bobby D.: Jimmy's story and music is important- he was very talented - and these releases will celebrate his life and career. Again, the speculation was that Elvis had sung on the songs, particularly "Save the Last Dance for Me". 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. 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. In 1972, he worked for Sun Records (Presley's label) with producer Shelby Singleton in Nashville. EIN often receives requests for information on these releases. Cover/label scans wanted of any of the following: Cover scans of discs issued on the unofficial Jack Daniels label. 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. At that point Shelby was done with their arrangement and so was Jimmy. He would give you things and himself freely. All songs in superb quality, unreleased material from Los Angeles in 75, unrelesased home recordings and soundboard. Published by Flaming Star The official Elvis Presley Fan Club of Norway. Scans of sleeves and labels would be of real interest as would track listings of further foreign releases. [3], Singleton tore off his mask at a performance in 1983, saying he would not wear it again. So, thats how Jimmy Ellis and I met and became lifelong friends. and goes by the name
He was very generous and good-hearted. This is the definitive book on a man with the voice of a King. 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. Help us spreadthe word about our cinema releaseby signing up for an ORIONtweetor aFacebookpost here onThunderclap. In an outstanding article in The Nashville Tennessean newspaper on August 12, 1997, it was reported that "Orion having the same vocal cords as Elvis has been both a kiss and a curse, but Orion sings his own tune!!!". For the soul singer, member of The Trammps, please see Jimmy Ellis (2) Sites: Wikipedia, orionjimmyellis.com, oriondiscs.com Aliases: Again, he was who he was period. Bobby had recorded Otis Redding and Wayne Cochran plus many local bands. We were both only children, but Jimmy was not selfish or too self-centered. 26th. iTunes, Amazon) and not physical discs. Posted by dokkeberg@hotmail.com in Uncategorized and tagged as. Problem is he doesn't play enough ofthe song for the audience to hear. Later, we met a guy named Jimmy Youmans also a student. 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). EIN: The Jimmy Ellis story "lives on". The strange part of the tale began in January 1979, when author Gail Brewer-Giorgio received a bizarre early-morning phone call. Bobby D.: Jimmy Ellis and I met in college at age 18 in 1963. Orion Jimmy Ellis - The Official Web Site Welcome!! [13], "Orion (musician)" redirects here. Many thanks again and all the best for the future. 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).