Devil in Disguise

Orion
“Reborn”
Sun-1012, 1979

Jimmy Ellis aka Orion was the most successful Elvis impersonator (who claimed not to be an Elvis impersonator) of all time.

For years Ellis tried to make a career as a country singer, but his voice and manor were so similar to Elvis’ that he was dismissed as an imitator.  His voice and appearance apparently caused enough confusion  that fans thought he might actually be The King himself performing. One of his early singles was titled, “I’m Not Trying To Be Elvis”.

from www.orionjimmyellis.com

After Elvis’ death, he finally stopped resisting the comparisons and developed the “Orion” persona, named after the title character of a book about a rock star who fakes his own death.  Orion’s ultimate coup was getting signed to Sun Records, Elvis’ original label, for his first album. As one might expect, many fans apparently believed that Orion actually was Elvis Presley.

Orion released several albums in the early 80′s and even had a few charting singles.  He then quit the Orion/Elvis charade until the early 1990′s, when he released several more records.  He died in 1998, when he was gunned down in a robbery of his convenience store in Selma, Alabama.

TV interview with Orion: http://youtu.be/niLmJGgtVVI

Official Web Page:  http://www.orionjimmyellis.com/

buy this record at GEMM

It’s all about Steve

Whitey Gleason & the Jubilee Quartet
“Spotlight on Steve”
Mid-America #225

buy this record at GEMM

hair avalanche

Avalanche
“Avalanche”
1976, Bootleg records (Australia)

Avalanche – “Wizard Of Love”:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

I love the things you find on YouTube…:


Previous incarnation, The Bootleg Family Band:

buy this record at GEMM

Jack Van Impe, drama critic

Dr. Jack Van Impe
“Holy Bible Exposes Jesus Christ Superstar”
Diadem #313

Its hilarious that Jesus Christ Superstar was so controversial, JVI devoted an entire album to it.

buy this record at GEMM

I can haz armageddonz?

Rexella Van Impe
“Rexella Sings… Children’s Songs!”

Yes, It’s THAT Rexella, wife of televangelist Jack Van Impe.

buy this record at GEMM

one for the ladies

The Somerset Strings
“Music For Washing and Ironing”
Epic records

Apparently Hubby never saw this commercial:

buy this record at GEMM

Joquina, that guy’s on the front porch again. I told you to get a restraining order.

Quim Barreiros
“Recebi um Convite (A Casa da Joquina)”
Fenix records

submitted by: Stefan

buy this record at GEMM

ah, the smoldering linens of yesteryear

Ronnie Deauville
“Smoke Dreams”
ERA EL-20002

Interesting story on the life of Ronnie Deauville

buy this record at GEMM

High seas shenanigans

The U.S. Air Force Airmen of Note
“Bone Voyage”
USAF Dept. of Public Affairs

Still boning

buy this record at GEMM

cabeza de globo gigante

Edmundo Rivero
“El Gran Cantante Argentino de Tangos”
Tropical records

buy this record at GEMM