Jimmy "Orion" Ellis
| Jimmy Ellis | |
|---|---|
Jimmy Ellis as "Orion"
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | James Hughes Bell |
| Also known as | Orion, Ellis James, Shadowman, Steven Silver |
| Born | Pascagoula, Mississippi, United States |
| Died | December 12, 1998 (aged 53) Orrville, Alabama, United States |
| Genres |
Rock Country Rockabilly Gospel |
| Occupation(s) |
Singer Songwriter |
| Years active | 1962 – 1998 |
| Labels | Various |
| Website | http://www.orionjimmyellis.com |
Jimmy Hughes Bell (died December 12, 1998), who used the stage name Orion at times in his career, was an American singer. 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. Ellis appeared with many artists including Loretta Lynn, Jerry Lee Lewis, Tammy Wynette, Ricky Skaggs, Lee Greenwood, Gary Morris, the Oak Ridge Boys.
Ellis was born in Pascagoula, Mississippi, United States, into a single parent home. His birth certificate states the mother was Gladys Bell and the father was Vernon (no surname). When he was two, Gladys left him at the Montgomery Children's Home where he was put up for adoption.
On December 12, 1998 Ellis was murdered during a robbery in his Alabama pawnshop by Jeffrey Lee, who was later convicted of murder and sentenced to death. His appeal against the sentence was refused on 9 October 2009.
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 entitled Orion: The Man Who Would Be King. The film went on to win 'The Discovery Award' at the British Independent Film Awards 2015. It was released theatrically in the US by Sundance Selects on December 4, 2015.
* Released after Jimmy Ellis's death in 1998
These songs have appeared on other compilations or a collection of songs.
* Released after Jimmy Ellis's death
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