Who was he? 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. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRx7ice15YY, Backed by the Jordanaires and opening act Sherry Carlisle, Orion sang to a packed house on August 12, 1997 at Nashville's Nightlife Theater. He then dragged the cash register off the counter and got about $135.00 out of it. With few bookings for Jimmy Ellis 'live on stage' there was still a substantial (albeit diminishing) demand of fans to satisfy their deep-seated psychological need and hope that their King had not left them. Consequently, this meant Jimmy could only get well paying work if he donned the Orion mask and (to him) even worse, an Elvis jumpsuit. 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. 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. Official site; Kenneth Dokkeberg's Jimmy Ellis / Orion website; Musiclovers - Discography, audio samples and a lot more! (EIN Comment: Bobby D. should get back to playing "live" - he is naturally gifted with a great voice!). 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. It is old and worn just like it should be. 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. They wrote both of the songs. He started the album on the record player to play Echoes of Love. The story of Orion, the singer whose voice bears an incredible likeness to that of Elvis Presley, is an interesting and unusual one to say the least. 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. Besides, I had childhood issues that I was not good enough. 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 answer is: ONE! For unofficial publicity purposes Orion continued to strike a favorite pose for the cover of: (one of nearly 150 'unofficial' Jimmy Ellis/Orion/Ellis James albums - with a striking but obvious graphically altered 'rip-off' cover design/image of the "reborn" Sun Records "Reborn" LP - as with its origination - Orion's facial expression on the cover nicely reflects the album title), The Comeback.While Jimmy probably never wanted to resurrect the Orion character, there was an inevitable comeback. Shelby Singleton of Sun International decided to disguise Ellis' identity on his first Sun single, "That's All Right (Mama)"/"Blue Moon of Kentucky" (Sun 1129), leaving listeners to speculate that the songs might be alternate takes of Elvis' first first two songs. Spotlight article by Nigel Patterson, June 2014, (for the purposes of this article I will use the term Elvis stylist in reference to the person in question). This is thebookthat started the Orion legend created by Shelby Singleton at Sun Records. is the only Elvis stylist to have merchandise and memorabilia released (still sold online in 2014! Scans of the unofficial CD titled JIMMY ELLIS THE SINGLES. 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! I really like the way he sang songs that Elvis never recorded in versions that still sounded a lot like Elvis. 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). 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. I love music too and do some song leading at church. Memorial ID. Youmans formed a small group and had Jimmy sing at a few local schools. Bobby D.: Jimmy Ellis and I met in college at age 18 in 1963. Interview conducted by Nigel Patterson, EIN (July 2014), Read: EIN's 2014 "Jimmy Ellis/Orion" article. His first two singles were covers of two of the Kings former hits, Thats All Right and Blue Moon of Kentucky.. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________. Details of songs performed at any of the listed shows would be especially welcome. Very soon after Jimmy entered the store, a young black guy came in carrying a sawed off shotgun and demanded money. Who is this person??? 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. It is also very possible that several other titles circulating on the internet . Discover (and save!) 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. Hopefully in time the details given can be guaranteed to be100% correct but a great deal more info is required before reaching that stage. We only index and link to content provided on other servers. Bobby D.: Jimmy never commented about the LP coffin cover to me, but he was not hot on the mask gimmick from the start. She is an accomplished documentary film maker with 6+ well known films. Here's a new link to an excellent Orion page done by Nigel Patterson with the EIN (Elvis Information Network) in Australia. The shooter is in jail with a death sentence. 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. What exactly happened? Just before noon, he decided to go by his pawn shop to check on things. The other lady was standing just behind Elaine. Solve the mystery and then use a smartphone or GPS device to navigate to the solution coordinates. Later, we met a guy named Jimmy Youmans also a student. He left Sun Records, never again appearing to the public as Orion. You can make comments on the tab provided, or on the Orion Facebook Fan Club. 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 then dropped the gun, fled the store and drove off in a car with two accomplices, authorities said. Copyright the Elvis Information Network. 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. In his insightful interview, Bobby D. reveals what (the real) Jimmy Ellis was like off-stage and covers a range of subjects including: Bobby D. operates the official Jimmy Ellis/Orion website and is a singer himself. Bobby D.: Not really. 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. Problem is he doesn't play enough ofthe song for the audience to hear. It will be presented at this years Las Vegas Elvis Fest at the LVH formerly the Las Vegas Hilton on July 11th. Add your masked portrait to I Am Orion, THE ROLLERCOASTER RISE AND TRAGIC FALL OF THE 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! compilation added to various unofficial releases page. Bobby knew a lot of people in the business and was a producer for King Records at one time. Read More #MyOrion "If Elvis is alive, he wears as mask and goes by the name Orion" http://www.orionstc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Jimmy-Ellis-Early-years-PROMO.mp3. This blog is for preview purposes only and all music downloaded should be deleted within 24 hours. Scans of any Jimmy Ellis/Orion release or alternate versions not included on this website would be greatly appreciated. JIMMY ELLIS, LTD., LIMITED PARTNERSHIP 1975 CONTRACT RARE! 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. Watch the stunning trailer for Orion The Man Who Would Be King. 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. 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. The jury recommended Lee be sentenced to life without parole, but the judge sentenced Lee to death. I am looking for information concerning Orion's many concert appearances in the USA and several countries in Europe where he performed. Fittingly, his legend lives on, and quite ironically, both as Jimmy Ellis and Orion! Thanks for your help! A hit record or some fuckin' tour we did that on many a time. 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. After winning a state fair competition, his first professional performance was in a Demon's Den nightclub in Albany, Georgia. 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. Ellis was gunned Down in His Alabama Pawn Shop December 12, 1998. Given you have a great singing voice why didnt you pursue a recording/performing career? I have to say I was floored. Wonder how in the world the producer picked an Orion album?? iTunes, Amazon) and not physical discs. We were both only children, but Jimmy was not selfish or too self-centered. Published by Flaming Star The official Elvis Presley Fan Club of Norway. Look for a micro hidden container. 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. I miss him a lot! 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. 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.. We were married when I returned to the states. One of them is Orion's Reborn LP and he plays a snippet of "Washing Machine" written by Jimmy Ellis. 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. Bobby D.: I loved music but needed to use my education to pay the bills. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________. '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. Pascagoula, Jackson County, Mississippi, USA. February 1945 - 13th. Sundance Selects acquires Orion: The Man Who Would Be King for US Theatrical release. 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. There is no media rate for international shipping, but we are covering part of the high shipping cost. 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. Given Jimmy's keen sense of humor he must be looking down and smiling! Well, Jimmy finally had enough and took the mask off at a New Years show in the Atlanta area in 1981. The Elvis Information Network has been running since 1986 and is an EPE officially recognised Elvis fan club. 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. I still record once in a while at home, as the mood strikes. 'My voice is both a blessing and a curse' (Jimmy Ellis/Orion during media interview), Controversial Sun Records 1978 Orion 'Reborn' (coffin) album cover. Jimmy grinned sleeplessly and said: Ill show you how this works. He didnt know anything about computers and web sites so I had a company in Raleigh, NC develop the original site for us. Well, he then said: no, its that guy, pointing to the guy sitting on the bed. He also recorded several albums for Sun between 1979 and 1981 and built up a substantial live following, still wearing his mask. 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. was blessed with a natural singing voice remarkably similar to Elvis. Get the latest updates on NASA missions, watch NASA TV live, and learn about our quest to reveal the unknown and benefit all humankind. Shipping is at the media rate in the U.S. Scan of the 8 track cassette release TRUCKS, TRAINS & AIRPLANES on Gusto Records. Pictures and track listings are shown below of the titles I have managed to source. The records were endorsed as genuine Presley recordings by the song's co-writer Doc Pomus, the music journalist Roy Carr, and the TV show Good Morning America which undertook a voice comparison test of the song against Presley's voice. While friends of the singer Jimmy Ellis have speculated that Orion could well have been The King's half-brother. )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 crew had also made a pretty decent copy of the blue mask Orion wore on the Reborn album. 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. 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. If you take something from the container, leave something in exchange. 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. Who was he? It doesnt cost a penny but has great impact! It has 408 pages, harcover and a CD included with some of Jimmy's finest performances and also unreleased gems from the archives of Sun Records. [8], In 2015, film-maker Jeanie Finlay released a documentary film, after pitching it at Sheffield Doc/Fest's 2013 MeetMarket, about Ellis' life and career, Orion: The Man Who Would Be King. 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!!!". 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 D.: No, not really. 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. At that point Shelby was done with their arrangement and so was Jimmy. Tell us about that. Lets hope this music finds a way out at some other point. 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. Here is the bizarre story of Jimmy Ellis, or, as he was also known, Orion. These titles and their eye catching specially made front covers would appear to be exclusively for internet downloads (eg. 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. 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. 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. EIN: What did Jimmy say to you about his career as Orion? Today. It is written by myself (Kenneth Dokkeberg), Steve Kelley (Orions road manager) and Bobby Dillard (personal friends since College). Informacin detallada del sitio web y la empresa: fanoscoatings.com, +62218463662, +62218463274, +622189841479, +62231320713, +623185584958 Home - FANOS ASIA 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. Ellis appeared with many . 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. That was December 4, 1998 - The Nightlife Theatre in Nashville, TNwhat a show!!! 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. It has hundreds of unseen photos, interviews with musicians and other people close to Jimmy. 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 After attended Middle Georgia College and Georgia Southern College before joining the USAF. To see the film clip and make a donation, please click on the link below. he wears as mask The terrain is 2.5 and difficulty is 2 (out of 5). How many Elvis tribute artists have several websites devoted to them. Thunderclap is a tool that lets a message be heard when you and your friends say it together. [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. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! Popular Ellis/Orion bootleg releases included titles such as Crazy on the Blue Danube and Jimmy In A Viennese Cellar. EIN: Given you have a great singing voice why didnt you pursue a recording/performing career? A real EP story. So who is this person a performer whose sad end is one we normally expect from a fabricated and dramatically intensified Hollywood film? Jimmy continued, commmenting on the frustration he felt when he would have to stop the recording session because Shelby Singleton had arranged for a tour group to come through the studio: Now, what's the priority. The association ended in 1982, and this boxed set includes the very best of the recordings that Jimmy Ellis made for Sun. Bobby D.: Well, we just had a limited number of the out-of-print CD - Orion Country repressed. Leave a comment or question. The controversial 'Reborn' album with its "coffin" cover. But, it was really him. He was born in Pascagoula, Mississippi, United States on February 26, 1945. . Inevitably, being born 10 years after Elvis, his struggle could never be won. 17 Comments / 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. AVAILABLE HERE LOWER PRICE! 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. 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. Artist of the Year Theme by Foxhound Band Themes. Genesis.Jimmy Hughes Bell was born on 26 February 1945 to a single mother (named) Gladys. Bobby D. on YouTube (who does Bobby sound like? In reality, Orion was the club singer Jimmy Ellis, who was born in Orrville, Alabama, in 1945. 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. Copyright the Elvis Information Network. 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. [6] His album Reborn, showing the singer emerging from a coffin, was released on gold-colored vinyl on the Sun label in 1978. '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. Jimmy had the voice and charisma that drew you to him. With Jerry Adams, Sharon Attaway Nettleton, Gail Brewer-Giorgio, Boomer Castleman. His first two singles were covers of two of the King's former hits, "That's All Right" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky." Directors Statement Who was that masked man? These books arevintage - new and are a collector's item. What you see is what you get. In later years after the breakup with Sun, Jimmy and I got back together for visits in Memphis. 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 Orion: The Man Who Would Be King: Directed by Jeanie Finlay. [1] He attended Orrville High School, where he excelled in baseball, football and basketball. If he sounds different on them, I will know he is faking. 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. 2. Bobby D.: A few months before Jimmy passed away, I had suggested we put a web site together to sell his CDs. He was very generous and good-hearted. 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.
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