The answer is: ONE! We were married when I returned to the states. Born in 1945 in Orville, Alabama. Artefact from Shelby Singleton's personal collection.conspiracy theorists, note the date! 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]. That day, Elaine Thompson, his x-wife was filling in for Shirley Connell who had gone home to Memphis for the weekend. (much like how each of Elvis' jumpsuits had its own name): ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------, Orion (Jimmy Ellis) with (also in character) members of supergroup KISS, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, ------------------------------------------------------------------------------. 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. Jimmy grinned sleeplessly and said: Ill show you how this works. The album cover itself generated controversy because it depicted a phantom singer rising from a coffin, and was later withdrawn. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi. 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. The book is also available along withtheReborn CD (the first LP on Sun by Orion). Directors Statement Who was that masked man? 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. Bobby D.: Jimmy Ellis and I met in college at age 18 in 1963. Who is this person??? It's the story of a masked. Please visit my own Jimmy Ellis page for information and links. Elaine was sitting on a stool behind the counter top to the left of the entrance door and Jimmy was standing some feet away also behind the counter. 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. 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. He was born in Pascagoula, Mississippi, United States on February 26, 1945. 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 . 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. 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. '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. The other lady fell to the floor with blood on her and played dead while Jimmy tried to crawl behind a computer desk. )more than 20 items including coffee mugs, beer steins, calendars, mouse pad, t-shirts, sweat shirts and clocks, is the only Elvis stylist who nearly 20 years after his tragic death still elicits interest from his fans, is promoted today by a commercial company operating in his name, has several websites devoted to his life and music, had several of his recordings featured on the soundtrack of a number of films, has featured in a number of documentaries about music in the southern states of the USA, is the subject of a documentary film being released in 2015. 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. 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. JIMMY ELLIS, LTD., LIMITED PARTNERSHIP 1975 CONTRACT RARE! * Released After Jimmy Ellis's death in 1999. 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. Jimmy Ellis In The Shadow Of a King Book NOW AVAILABLE! Copyright the Elvis Information Network. Bobby D.: Jimmy never commented about the LP coffin cover to me, but he was not hot on the mask gimmick from the start. He was NOT an impersonator, as he tried desperately to explain. 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. Links to Orion / Jimmy Ellis sites. [6] His album Reborn, showing the singer emerging from a coffin, was released on gold-colored vinyl on the Sun label in 1978. : --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------. She is an accomplished documentary film maker with 6+ well known films. 17 Comments / While in Germany, met my future wife, the daughter of a Major, fighter pilot stationed at the same base. Then, he introduced me to Jimmy Ellis, the guy by the tape recorder who had said nothing. New 2016 DVD release of the award winning documentary on the life and career of Jimmy Ellis. We are told that the documentary is moving along but, as with many projects, monetary donations would be appreciated to help get to completion. 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. But, it was really him. Feb 6, 2015 - This Pin was discovered by Patricia Milligan. The CDs are offered on the official web site: www.orionjimmyellis.com. Leave a comment or question, Jimmy Fallon made a mention of Orion and played snippets of Washing Machine on his show Monday, April 7, 2014. 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. The label credited the recordings simply to "? Very soon after Jimmy entered the store, a young black guy came in carrying a sawed off shotgun and demanded money. These Classic LP Albums from Sun Records are new and sealed and will never be made again. His first two singles were covers of two of the Kings former hits, Thats All Right and Blue Moon of Kentucky.. Boomer on Shelby. It is also very possible that several other titles circulating on the internet . Bobby Smith, owner of Boblo Records once told his engineer, Chet Bennett: take him in the studio and record different songs. 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***. Scan of the 8 track cassette release TRUCKS, TRAINS & AIRPLANES on Gusto Records. Lets hope this music finds a way out at some other point. Jimmy had the voice and charisma that drew you to him. 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 help with any small detail please contact me at: Promotional 8 track tape added for upcoming Dradco release of the album, Updated info on the new CD release of the. [3], Singleton tore off his mask at a performance in 1983, saying he would not wear it again. Huffman said King, who played dead, was treated and released from a hospital for her hand wound. Jimmy Ellis (born February 26, 1945 - died December 12,1998) was born in Orrville, Alabama on February 26th of 1945. 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. That's not recording. 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. 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. December 1998. . ): I continued with my Human Resources career for many years and retired in the mountains of NC two years ago. Ellis appeared with many . 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. What exactly happened? 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. He started the album on the record player to play Echoes of Love. 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. Bobby knew a lot of people in the business and was a producer for King Records at one time. 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. Ellis was born in either Pascagoula, Mississippi,[2] Orrville, Alabama,[3] or Washington, D.C.,[1] United States, into a single parent home. He was the one who produced Jimmy Ellis first 45 rpm record Love Is But A Love and Dont Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch recorded at a radio station in Kibbee, GA. Bobby D.: Yes, that is just my natural voice. They wrote both of the songs. Scans of the COUNTRY FROM THE HEART CD on the Lanier Records label. Popular Ellis/Orion bootleg releases included titles such as Crazy on the Blue Danube and Jimmy In A Viennese Cellar. But later after collegeJimmy and I reconnected and had experiences in the 70s where he did various club shows etc., in Macon and other towns. I responded: gosh Jimmy what if I did. Jimmy was, and still is, my favorite Elvis sound-alike singer. : 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. the story behind Bobby D's friendship with Jimmy Ellis, how Jimmy felt about his "Orion" character. EIN: You operate the official Jimmy Ellis/Orion website. His first two singles were covers of two of the King's former hits, "That's All Right" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky.". So, I have kept the site going since 1998. Brewer-Giorgio's novel, Jimmy Ellis' career aspirations, and Shelby Singleton's business converged to create Orion, the masked singer who allowed Jimmy to essentially perform as Elvis Presley for those grief-stricken audiences who wanted to believe he was still alive. 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. The terrain is 2.5 and difficulty is 2 (out of 5). The record got a little airplay in Macon, GA in 1964. Pascagoula, Jackson County, Mississippi, USA. Wonder how in the world the producer picked an Orion album?? Fittingly, his legend lives on, and quite ironically, both as Jimmy Ellis and Orion! 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. You may also like> Jimmy Barnes Net Worth, Age, Height, Weight, Husband, Wiki, Family 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. That's not a career. I miss him a lot! Help us spreadthe word about our cinema releaseby signing up for an ORIONtweetor aFacebookpost here onThunderclap. Police later found Lee holed up in a motel about 30 miles outside Atlanta. Click on the LP and 45 rpm records page. Artist of the Year Theme by Foxhound Band Themes. Elvis Presley, Elvis and Graceland are trademarks of Elvis Presley Enterprises. Scans of the orange label version of the CD single SUNDAY FATHER on the Lanier Records label. After winning a state fair competition, his first professional performance was in a Demon's Den nightclub in Albany, Georgia. Cover scans of any CD's on the unofficial Orion Records label. 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). 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. You tell your friends who tell their friends who tell their friends WHAT IS THUNDERCLAP? The association ended in 1982, and this boxed set includes the very best of the recordings that Jimmy Ellis made for Sun. EIN: Jimmys death was tragic! Dates, venues, photographs would all be of great help. It was (at least initially) a win-win-win situation as all three parties benefitted: Jimmy became an international star, Gail Brewer-Giorgio sold hundreds of thousands of copies of her "Orion" novel and Shelby Singleton sold truckloads of "Orion" records.. So who is this person a performer whose sad end is one we normally expect from a fabricated and dramatically intensified Hollywood film? Sundance Selects acquires Orion: The Man Who Would Be King for US Theatrical release. 3. Ellis appeared on the album cover wearing a mask over his eyes. Among the titles are 'Such A Night', 'Honey', 'Patches', 'Ebony Eyes', 'Rocky', and 'Release Me'; the complete overdubs with Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Charlie Rich, and Carl Perkins, plus many previously unissued titles. 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. Genesis.Jimmy Hughes Bell was born on 26 February 1945 to a single mother (named) Gladys. Orion recorded a single, Ebony Eyes, for Sun in 1979, which became part of his debut album, Reborn. It is hold together by a stitch in the upper left corner. These titles and their eye catching specially made front covers would appear to be exclusively for internet downloads (eg. Thanks for your help!. Ellis made a public confession in 1983 admitting he was Orion. Charlie Rich sang along with Lewis on two other songs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYuszmPq3lw, "Orion" by Gail Brewer-Giorgio (Hardcover 1979). How many Elvis tribute artists have had any unofficial album releases let alone 150 bootleg albums released? Read More #MyOrion "If Elvis is alive, he wears as mask and goes by the name Orion" 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. Im on the upper deck of our cabin in the picture here (see photo above). Elvis Presley, Elvis and Graceland are trademarks of Elvis Presley Enterprises. February 1945 - 13th. Read about his childhood, reaching for the music scene, chasing his dream and finally his tragic end. 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. Ellis appeared with many artists, including Loretta Lynn, Jerry Lee Lewis, Tammy Wynette, Ricky Skaggs, Lee Greenwood, Gary Morris, and the Oak Ridge Boys. A real EP story. MYSTERY MASKED MAN WITH THE VOICE OF A LEGEND. Two of the many Orion items still being sold in 2014: ----------------------------------------------------------------------. It is old and worn just like it should be. That was December 4, 1998 - The Nightlife Theatre in Nashville, TNwhat a show!!! Given you have a great singing voice why didnt you pursue a recording/performing career? Bobby D.: A few months before Jimmy passed away, I had suggested we put a web site together to sell his CDs. The Final Performance CD is a good example of the kind of interaction and humor Orion had with the audience. Raised in Orrville, Alabama, Ellis began his recording career in 1964. Newspaper adverts and reports of his numerous appearances also very much appreciated. Very sadly, it is possible, even probable, Jimmy Ellis never fully realised the enormity and significance of his impact as a recording and performing artist! Bobby D.: I loved music but needed to use my education to pay the bills. Informacin detallada del sitio web y la empresa: jean-puy.com Jean Puy un peintre fauve Thats the special since the regular price is $12.95. The Elvis Information Network has been running since 1986 and is an EPE officially recognised Elvis fan club. It is pertinent to say that while Jimmy was fanatically worshipped by fans, it was Gail Brewer-Giorgio and Shelby Singleton (remember the infamous "Duets" album with Jerry Lee Lewis) who were banking the lion's share of money as the cash registers kept on "ching chinging" as Jimmy Ellis/Orion connected with an avid, loyal and increasingly fanatical audience. While performing at the Eastern States Exposition, Ellis took off the mask and swore to never wear it again. Thanks for your help! The Dan Lentino Management Group in Las Vegas is honoring Orion / Jimmy Ellis posthumously with a lifetime achievement award. Watch the stunning trailer for Orion The Man Who Would Be King. '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. And, after I heard Jimmy, I knew I was not.>. A Tribute to the "Masked Man": Jimmy Ellis aka "Orion". He could laugh about most anythinghe was alot of fun at home and especially on stage!! 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. 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.