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James Hughes Bell (February 26, 1945 – December 12, 1998), stage name Orion (based on the character from the same-titled book by Gail Brewer-Giorgio), was an American singer. His voice was almost indistinguishable from Elvis Presley's, a fact which he and his record company played upon, making some believe that some of his recordings were by Elvis, or even that Elvis 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 and Kiss.
He also performed under the names Jimmy Ellis, Ellis James, Steven Silver and Mr. E.

A film about his life - Orion: The Man Who Would Be King - was released in 2015.

ALBUMS


Orion
Surprise
2023, CD, Album, Mono, Ltd, RM, Sun (9)
Orion
Live At Cowboys
2020, 2xCD, Album, Dradco Records
Orion
From The Sun Vaults (Vol. 1)
2013, CD, Album, Sun (9), Graceland Randers, ,
Rock & Roll/Country Rock/Pop Rock
Orion (23) And Universe
Live In Concert 1979
2010, CD, Album, Boblo Records
Orion
The Man Who Would Be King (The Best Of Orion)
2002, CD, Comp, RM, Fuel 2000
Orion
Jimmy Ellis Sings Elvis - "The Last Recordings"
2000, CD, Album, Ltd, Kardina Records
Orion
Rockabilly & Sunrise
1999, CD, Comp, Collectables
Orion
Who Was That Masked Man?
1999, 4xCD, Comp + Box, Bear Family Records
Orion (23) And The Jordanaires
Holiday Tribute To The "King"
1997, CD, Album, Kardina Records, ,
Pop Rock/Holiday
Orion
A Christmas Filled With Love
1997, CD, Album, Kardina Records, ,
Pop Rock/Country/Holiday
Orion
Unchained Melody/ Unchained Melody
1991, 7", Radio Active Records (8)
Orion
Some Think He Might Be King Elvis
1991
Orion
Only A Woman Like You
1990, 7", Single, Promo, Stargem
Orion
Love It Back Together / If That Isn't Love
1990, 7", Single, Stargem
Orion
Genuine
1990
Orion
New Beginnings
1989
Orion
Lay Around And Love On You / I Need You In My Life
1989
Orion
100 Pounds Of Clay
1985, 7", Single, Kristal International Records, Kristal International Records
Orion
I'm Saving Up My Pennies
1984
Orion
Fresh
1983, LP, Comp, Bellaphon
Orion
Look Me Up (And Lay It On Me)
1982, 7", Single, Bellaphon
Jerry Lee Lewis, Orion
The Killer, The King
1982, LP, Comp, Roller Skate Records
Orion
Listen To Daddy (I'll Sing You What To Dream)
1982, 7", Promo, Sun (9)
Orion
Remember Bethlehem/ Listen To Daddy
1982, 7", Sun (9)
Orion
Honky Tonk Heaven / Morning, Noon And Night
1982, ,
Honky Tonk/Country
Orion
Feelings
1982
Orion
Some You Win, Some You Lose / If I Can't Have You
1981, 7", Single, Sun International Corporation
Orion
Feelings
1981
Orion
Honey
1981
Orion
Some You Win, Some You Lose
1981, ,
Rockabilly
Orion
Crazy Little Thing Called Love / Matchbox
1981
Orion
Fresh
1981, ,
Rockabilly
Orion
Born
1981
Orion
Merry Christmas
1980, 7", EP, Not On Label
Orion
A Stranger In My Place
1980, 7", EP, Sun (9)
Orion
Texas Tea / Faded Love
1980
Orion
Washing Machine
1980
Orion
Rockabilly Rebel
1980
Orion
A Stranger In My Place / It Ain't No Mystery
1980
Orion
Glory
1980,
Jerry Lee Lewis & Orion (23) / Charlie Rich & Orion
Be Bop A Lula / Break Up
1980, ,
Rock & Roll
Orion
Country
1980, Vinyl Gold Translucent, ,
Rock & Roll/Pop Rock/Rockabilly
Orion
Rockabilly
1980
Orion
Am I That Easy To Forget / Crazy Arms
1980
Orion
Washing Machine
1979, 7", Single, Sun (9),
Orion
Lover Please/Honey
1979, 7", Single, Sun (9)
Orion
Ebony Eyes
1979
Orion
Sunrise
1979
Orion
Reborn
1979, ,
Rock & Roll/Rockabilly
Orion
Silent Night
1979
Orion
I Want You, I Need You, I Love You
7", Promo, Stargem
Orion
Recorded Iive at "Buck Cody's" Country Nightclub
2020, CDr, Club, Promo, S/Edition, Unofficial, Not On Label
Orion
Rockabilly & Sunrise
CDr, Album, Comp, Unofficial, Rockabilly Masters

APPEARANCES +


Jerry Lee Lewis And Friends
Duets
1996
The Jordanaires
Christmas To Elvis
1995
Boots Randolph
A Country Christmas Celebrate The Season
1992, CD, Album, Halo Records (2)
Jerry Lee Lewis And Friends
Cold, Cold Heart / Hello Josephine
1979
Jerry Lee Lewis / Charlie Rich / Carl Perkins
Trio +
1979
Various
Sun Records Sings Elvis Presley
2024, LP, Comp, Sun (9)
Various
Glad Tidings From Sun Records
2024, CD, Album, Comp, ORG Music, Sun (9)
Various
Simply Rock 'N' Roll (4 CDs Of Rock "N" Roll From Legendary Sun Studio Recordings)
2017, 4xCD, Comp, Union Square Music, ,
Rock & Roll/Rockabilly
Various
Rock And Roll - Find The Original Vol.1
2015
Various
Rock And Roll - Find The Original Vol.2
2015
Various
Fetenkult - Rock 'N' Roll Party
2002, 2xCD, Comp, Ariola, BMG,
Various
Country Greatest Hits
2002, CD, Comp, BRISA Entertainment, ,
Country Rock/Rock & Roll
Andy Lee Lang
Together
2001, CD, Album, Gabriel Music
Various
Joy To The World
2000, CD, Comp, Ideals Publications
Various
CDX Volume 201 November 1998
1998, CD, Comp, Promo, Compact Disc Xpress
Various
Country And Western Classics Vol. 1
1994, 2xCD, Comp, Bellaphon
Various
The Sun Sound Gospel Greats
1994, 2xCD, Comp, Sun Entertainment Corporation
Various
Gospel Greats Cassette 3
1994, Cass, Comp, Sun (9)
Various
Gospel Greats Cassette 2
1994, Cass, Album, Sun (9)
Various
A Felsőház Ritkaságai I. (1957-1961)
1992, Cass, Comp, Marcus Bt., ,
Rock & Roll/Rockabilly
Various
LET YOUR LOVE FLOW 2 (And Dream Of The West)
1990
Various
The Best Of The West - Country And Western Top-Hits Vol. 4
1989
Various
20 Rockabilly Classics
1985, Cass, Comp, Sun (9), Sun (9)
Various
Stars Of Country
1984, ,
Country
Various
Country Music Time #60
1982, 7xLP, Transcription, United States Air Force: Country Music Time
Various
Stars
1982
Various
Feelings
1980, Cass, Comp, Hins Collection,
Various
Trucks, Trains, & Airplanes
1980
Various
They Thought They Were Elvis!!
CD, Comp, Not On Label, ,
Rock & Roll/Rockabilly/Ballad
Various
20 Golden Gospel Favorites (Featuring "One Day At A Time" Original Artists)
Cass, Comp, Sun International Corporation, Sun International Corporation
Various
Glad Tidings from Sun Records
LP, Album, Comp, Red, Sun (9)
Various
A Christmas To Remember
Orion (23) & Universe
"Unreleased" & Undubbed
2020, CDr, Club, Ltd, Promo, S/Edition, Unofficial, Not On Label
Various
The "Must" For Dancing ("Blend For DJ")
CD, Comp, Unofficial, 4 AS Records, ,
Rock & Roll/Soul