orion jimmy ellis the official website

Solve the mystery and then use a smartphone or GPS device to navigate to the solution coordinates. EIN: You operate the official Jimmy Ellis/Orion website. On Monday I carried his CDs to work and played them throughout the day. 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. Scans of the COUNTRY FROM THE HEART CD on the Lanier Records label. There is a new film about Orion being made by the talented moviemaker from England, Jeanie Finlay. Then, he introduced me to Jimmy Ellis, the guy by the tape recorder who had said nothing. While in Germany, met my future wife, the daughter of a Major, fighter pilot stationed at the same base. Orion page at Sun Records; Jimmy at Elvis Wiki So, thats how Jimmy Ellis and I met and became lifelong friends. For the soul singer, member of The Trammps, please see Jimmy Ellis (2) Sites: Wikipedia, orionjimmyellis.com, oriondiscs.com Aliases: 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. As they say all PR is good PR! EIN: Your friendship with Jimmy Ellis. EIN: Bobby, you currently have a special offer on the site. 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. Think of it as an online flash mob. Join the OrionThunderclap, and you and [], "If Elvis is alive, 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. In later years after the breakup with Sun, Jimmy and I got back together for visits in Memphis. There is no media rate for international shipping, but we are covering part of the high shipping cost. They vociferously took advantage of, and preyed upon, those Elvis fans, the "true disbelievers", who had a deep seated need to disbelieve a more prosaic, greed fuelled reality and motivation for the carefully constructed "Orion" character. 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. The guys in the room were mostly the colleges basketball players. 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. And that's the way it was. Directors Statement Who was that masked man? Little is known about Jimmy's life before becoming a recording artist - what is known is that he was raised by traditional but loving parents who ensured he was able to receive a good education. 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. The terrain is 2.5 and difficulty is 2 (out of 5). In 1972, he worked for Sun Records (Presley's label) with producer Shelby Singleton in Nashville. He started the album on the record player to play Echoes of Love. 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. 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. I never gave up music and a friend and I played at a local pub for extra money while finishing school. Jimmy just could not help that he sounded like someone else EP. (EIN Comment: Bobby D. should get back to playing "live" - he is naturally gifted with a great voice!). 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. Jimmy Ellis (with mask) as Orion (note his hair color), Orion (sans mask) as Jimmy Ellis (note his natural hair color), Above images sourced from the official "Orion-Jimmy Ellis" website. [3], On December 12, 1998, Ellis was murdered during a robbery in his store, Jimmy's Pawn Shop. I couldnt quite make out the voice. EIN: Given you have a great singing voice why didnt you pursue a recording/performing career? Scan of New Zealand release of the JERRY LEE LEWIS - DUETS album (Sun L27036). your own Pins on Pinterest How did that come about and what can fans expect to find on the site? 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). All three are being held without bail and are facing the possibility of the death penalty on two counts of capital murder, authorities said. New 2016 DVD release of the award winning documentary on the life and career of Jimmy Ellis. He would give you things and himself freely. EIN: Jimmys first Orion album, Reborn. The controversial 'Reborn' album with its "coffin" cover. 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. 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. I could not believe what I was hearing. However, after failing to retain his popularity using his real name, he returned to performing as Orion in 1987. We were married when I returned to the states. Mr. 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. 15 November 1937 Died 8 March 2012 (aged 74) There are at least four artists called Jimmy Ellis: 1) Jimmy Ellis. Oct 7, 2013 - Orion Jimmy Ellis - The Official Web Site. Read More #MyOrion "If Elvis is alive, he wears as mask and goes by the name Orion" Bobby D.: I was born in Macon, GA in 1945. : Aloha From Hawaii - The Concert 2013- EIN Exclusive, Elvis at Madison Square Garden 40 Years Ago. If you want to support the artist or artists that recorded and released this music, please go and purchase their music. The shot missed, and then Lee allegedly turned his attention to the cash register, which he knocked off the counter after he could not open it, Huffman said. She is an accomplished documentary film maker with 6+ well known films. 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], After Presley died in 1977, Singleton revived the hoax by releasing singles that overdubbed Ellis' voice onto known Sun recordings by Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and others, including a version of "Save the Last Dance For Me," [6] on which there was simply a credit to "Friend". The association ended in 1982, and this boxed set includes the very best of the recordings that Jimmy Ellis made for Sun. I really like the way he sang songs that Elvis never recorded in versions that still sounded a lot like Elvis. Website. 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. The gunman, who police believe is Plantersville resident Jeffery James Lee, then fired twice more in an attempt to blast Ellis a second time as he struggled to find a haven behind a computer desk, Huffman said. 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. Artefact from Shelby Singleton's personal collection.conspiracy theorists, note the date! Ellis was born in either Pascagoula, Mississippi,[2] Orrville, Alabama,[3] or Washington, D.C.,[1] United States, into a single parent home. That was December 4, 1998 - The Nightlife Theatre in Nashville, TNwhat a show!!! 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. 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. What you see is what you get. His first two singles were covers of two of the King's former hits, "That's All Right" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky.". Kenneth Dokkeberg. '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. Who was that masked man?.Sadly, the convergence of artistic, commercial and greed/fame infused forces which would shape Jimmy's future meant he became a pawn in a multi-faceted promotional campaign involving author Gail Brewer-Giorgio (9 years before her best-selling non-fiction books asking if Elvis really died in 1977) and new Sun Studio owner, Shelby Singleton, when because of his voice Jimmy was marketed as the mysterious, masked singer, Orion. Here is what the website says: ORION: The Man Who Would Be King 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. 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. How many Elvis tribute artists have commercially produced memorabilia released about them? If you have further details on any releases not included or would like to trade Orion recordings or material please drop me an email. Pinterest. In 1972, he worked for Sun Records (Presley's label) with producer Shelby Singleton in Nashville. Orion recorded a single, Ebony Eyes, for Sun in 1979, which became part of his debut album, Reborn. I responded: gosh Jimmy what if I did. The albums were quite popular, and Orion had three Top 70 hits, including Am I That Easy to Forget. He had four minor hits the following year, including the contemporary rockabilly song Crazy Little Thing Called Love, originally recorded by the rock group Queen. You can make comments on the tab provided, or on the Orion Facebook Fan Club. Here is the bizarre story of Jimmy Ellis, or, as he was also known, Orion. 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. His first two singles were covers of two of the King's former hits, "That's All Right" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky." Very soon after Jimmy entered the store, a young black guy came in carrying a sawed off shotgun and demanded money. Bobby D.: Actually, I know there are bootleg ones out there, but Im not familiar with all of them. [7] Jeffrey Lee was convicted of the murder of Ellis and Ellis's ex-wife Elaine Thompson, who was working as an employee at the store, and the attempted murder of employee Helen King. We put the official web site www.orionjimmyellis.comtogether three months before his tragic death in December 1998. Orion". It is also very possible that several other titles circulating on the internet . Help us spreadthe word about our cinema releaseby signing up for an ORIONtweetor aFacebookpost here onThunderclap. Genesis.Jimmy Hughes Bell was born on 26 February 1945 to a single mother (named) Gladys. $4.00 shipping. Excitement - Orion (Jimmy Ellis) was fun loving, had a great sense of humor, and a great personality. 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. I love music too and do some song leading at church. Production costs turned out to be too high compared to the demand on the box set, making the release too economically challenging to make. Again, he was who he was period. The Dan Lentino Management Group in Las Vegas is honoring Orion / Jimmy Ellis posthumously with a lifetime achievement award. Bobby D.: A few months before Jimmy passed away, I had suggested we put a web site together to sell his CDs. 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. [9][10][11] The film won the Discovery Award at the British Independent Film Awards 2015. Huffman said King, who played dead, was treated and released from a hospital for her hand wound. 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. He was 53 years old. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. 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. Informacin detallada del sitio web y la empresa: jean-puy.com Jean Puy un peintre fauve 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. He then left the store and caught up with his two young friends waiting down the road in a car. The strange part of the tale began in January 1979, when author Gail Brewer-Giorgio received a bizarre early-morning phone call. 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. Cover scans of any CD's on the unofficial Masked Man label. Scans of the orange label version of the CD single SUNDAY FATHER on the Lanier Records label. Which brings us to the incredible story of Orion. Hopefully in time the details given can be guaranteed to be100% correct but a great deal more info is required before reaching that stage. Some listeners believed that Orion was, in fact, Presley, who had supposedly faked his death. He tells in great detail the story of Jimmy Ellis, a successful horse farmer who took over the family business in the small town of Orrville, Alabama. Jimmy was, and still is, my favorite Elvis sound-alike singer. Love For A Lovely Girl.What A Great Song.BY Lester Brown/ Bob Gibson/ Johdn D Loudermilk. 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. Are they still available in 2014? In 1979 Jimmy Ellis finally merged with an identity, but it still wasn't himself. Our biography book on Jimmy Ellis is now available here on this website! Orion in Sweden I still record once in a while at home, as the mood strikes. 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. Another regular lady was also working that day. Jimmy Ellis, the soulful lead singer of the Trammps, whose 1970s hit "Disco Inferno" was immortalized in the film "Saturday Night Fever," died on Thursday in Rock Hill, S.C.He was 74. (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, ------------------------------------------------------------------------------. Lets hope this music finds a way out at some other point. We have just received an intro and preview clip of the up coming documentary "Orion The Movie". It doesnt cost a penny but has great impact! With Jerry Adams, Sharon Attaway Nettleton, Gail Brewer-Giorgio, Boomer Castleman. The album cover itself generated controversy because it depicted a phantom singer rising from a coffin, and was later withdrawn. EIN: Jimmys death was tragic! http://www.elvisinfonet.com/spotlight-orion-2014.html, The Tonight Show from NY with Jimmy Fallon. As Orion, Ellis reached Billboard's country chart with nine singles. Oct 7, 2013 - Orion Jimmy Ellis - The Official Web Site. 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. The tape recorder was playing the song Echoes of Love from Elvis Kissin Cousins album. 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 Bobby D.: Jimmy's story and music is important- he was very talented - and these releases will celebrate his life and career. [3], Singleton tore off his mask at a performance in 1983, saying he would not wear it again. Ellis was gunned Down in His Alabama Pawn Shop December 12, 1998. EIN:Jimmy Ellis, the personaway from the stage or recording studio. 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. We are told that the documentary is moving along but, as with many projects, monetary donations would be appreciated to help get to completion. To see the film clip andmake a donation, pleaseclick on the link below. He quickly says "he sounds just like Elvis" and then puts on a copy of the mask worn by Orion for the album picture. The jury recommended Lee be sentenced to life without parole, but the judge sentenced Lee to death. 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). He then dropped the gun, fled the store and drove off in a car with two accomplices, authorities said. 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. He fired once into her face, killing her instantly and hitting another worker, Helen King, in the hand. Sung By . It was part of a comedy sketch with artists not to play. 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). It is old and worn just like it should be. 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. Jimmy Hodges "Orion" Ellis Sr. '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. 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). It has hundreds of unseen photos, interviews with musicians and other people close to Jimmy. After the first blast, which left the 53-year-old Ellis mortally wounded and crawling for safety, the gunman turned his weapon on the singer's 44-year-old ex-wife, Elaine Thompson, who was on a stool behind the counter. Raised in Orrville, Alabama, Ellis began his recording career in 1964. When Jimmy would come for a visit to my house in the early days, it was like Elvis was comingthere was electricity in the air. 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.