is the only Elvis stylist to have merchandise and memorabilia released (still sold online in 2014! In reality, Orion was the club singer Jimmy Ellis, who was born in Orrville, Alabama, in 1945. If you have further details on any releases not included or would like to trade Orion recordings or material please drop me an email. Ellis died in his store about 10 minutes after the attack, Huffman said. His natural voice was very similar to the voice of Elvis Presley, read more It is old and worn just like it should be. 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. Memorial ID. 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!). Bobby D. on YouTube (who does Bobby sound like? 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. SUBSCRIBE FOR ARTIST + LABEL NEWS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, EVENTS AND MORE. Many years later, I recorded four songs at Stargem Studios in Nashville, the same studio Jimmy had also recorded at earlier. He makes a mistake and some asshole over here says don't worry about it, it will be alright. The book is also available along withtheReborn CD (the first LP on Sun by Orion). 'My voice is both a blessing and a curse' (Jimmy Ellis/Orion during media interview), Controversial Sun Records 1978 Orion 'Reborn' (coffin) album cover. had a stage presence which entranced his fans, did not want want to be an Elvis imitator, for most of his career did not make a living singing and performing Elvis songs, had fans who travelled (often as a family) up to 500 miles to see him perform, is the only Elvis stylist to have had an album replaced due to controversy, is the only Elvis stylist to have a best-selling book published about his persona. Jimmy just could not help that he sounded like someone else EP. Interview conducted by Nigel Patterson, EIN (July 2014), Read: EIN's 2014 "Jimmy Ellis/Orion" article. EIN: Given you have a great singing voice why didnt you pursue a recording/performing career? 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 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. Bobby D.: A few months before Jimmy passed away, I had suggested we put a web site together to sell his CDs. 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. He began by overdubbing him onto recordings by Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Charlie Rich, and then recording solo albums which many fans thought were better than many of Elvis's later LPs. "Mr. Ellis never had time to do nothing or say nothing," Dallas County Sheriff Harris Huffman Jr. told APB News. Once Jimmy signed with Sun Records in Nashville, we drifted apart.me with my career and Jimmy trying to make it in the music industry. The other lady was standing just behind Elaine. Who was he? The book that started it all (in classic conspiracy fashion, its 'first edition' featured two 'author' names!!). Besides, I had childhood issues that I was not good enough. How many Elvis tribute artists made a living without singing Elvis songs for most of their career? The sale is temporary to offer fans who missed these CDs the first time around a real deal. This One's For. Here is the bizarre story of Jimmy Ellis, or, as he was also known, Orion. Look for a micro hidden container. The CDs are offered on the official web site: www.orionjimmyellis.com. It is the story of Jimmy Ellis, a singer from Alabama who was cursed with having a voice identical to that of . He loved to have a good time, loved to sing and entertain. For the soul singer, member of The Trammps, please see Jimmy Ellis (2) Sites: Wikipedia, orionjimmyellis.com, oriondiscs.com Aliases: 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. 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. Very unfortunately, Jimmy Ellis along with his wife, was killed in December the 12th 1998 by a male robber. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. To see the film clip andmake a donation, pleaseclick on the link below. Sundance Selects plans Dec 4 release theatrically and on demand. I am always on the lookout for Orion/Jimmy Ellis concerts that I dont have. I often wonder what that would have done for Jimmys career since Phil Walden was nationally known. Hopefully in time the details given can be guaranteed to be100% correct but a great deal more info is required before reaching that stage. [12] It was released theatrically in the US by Sundance Selects on December 4, 2015. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. The strange part of the tale began in January 1979, when author Gail Brewer-Giorgio received a bizarre early-morning phone call. Jimmy Ellis Also known as Orion. Our biography book on Jimmy Ellis is now available here on this website! And, you wonder if helistened to "Ebony Eyes" and the rest of the LP. Oh well, it is publicity!! How many Elvis tribute artists are still remembered nearly 20 years after their death? The Dan Lentino Management Group in Las Vegas is honoring Orion / Jimmy Ellis posthumously with a lifetime achievement award. A few weeks later, some guys asked me to come down to their room where they were playing music so I decided to go. A year prior, Jimmy Ellis voice had been overdubbed with Jerry Lee Lewis on an old single from the Sun archives, Save the Last Dance for Me; on it, Ellis was billed only as Friend. The single made the Top 20 and caused quite a stir as listeners tried to guess the mysterious Friends identity. At that point Shelby was done with their arrangement and so was Jimmy. It is written by myself (Kenneth Dokkeberg), Steve Kelley (Orions road manager) and Bobby Dillard (personal friends since College). the story behind Bobby D's friendship with Jimmy Ellis, how Jimmy felt about his "Orion" character. Death 12 Dec 1998 (aged 53) . Discover (and save!) Jimmy Ellis - If I Can't Have You Some listeners believed that Orion was, in fact, Presley, who had supposedly faked his death. As Jim Ellis, he released an album in 1987 and continued to tour North America; interestingly, he resumed wearing his mask. Pictures and track listings are shown below of the titles I have managed to source. Then he started the tape recorder and put the little microphone down by the record player and sang with the song overlaying Elvis voice with his. [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. 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. Orion Jimmy Ellis - The Official Web Site Welcome!! ..replaced with a completely new cover and no coffin! It was issued on Sun without an artist name, and created a furor because Ellis bore such an uncanny vocal resemblance to Elvis. And that's the way it was. These books arevintage - new and are a collector's item. Similarly, there was an incontrovertible and diametrically opposed outcome for each side. I thought that was an odd question but I said: sure, its Elvis Presley. 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. To see the film clip and make a donation, please click on the link below. [3], In 1978, writer Gail Brewer-Giorgio published a novel, Orion, about a leading popular singer based on Presley who faked his death. Scan of the 8 track cassette release TRUCKS, TRAINS & AIRPLANES on Gusto Records. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! I hope people will remember that some of the masters are owned by us and others over in Norway/Denmark. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________. His first two singles were covers of two of the King's former hits, "That's All Right" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky.". The album featured some excellent songs including "Ebony Eyes", "Honey", and "Washing Machine". We are told that the documentaryis moving along but, as with many projects,monetary donations would be appreciated to help get it to completion. That one along with the first original album now on CD - Orion Reborn are offered for $8.95 each. Along the way, and particularly towards the end, Jimmy was not happy with the whole thing. 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. Learn more about merges. EIN: What did Jimmy say to you about his career 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. To The Official Orion - Jimmy Ellis Web Site, http://tribecafilm.com/stories/tribeca-film-festival-2015-viewpoints, http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/orion-the-man-who-would-be-king. (Jimmy Ellis single on the regional Boblo label - released in 1978 - it is viewed by many as the singer's plea for acceptance in his own right rather than because of his uncanny Elvis-like singing voice). 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.