Orion: the mystery of the man who dethroned the king of rock and roll – Far Out Magazine
(Credits: Far Out / Sun Records)
Big historical moments require extensive explanations, so conspiracy theories for monumental historical events often crop up. We’re not satisfied with something ordinary explaining the extraordinary, so we make up explanations that we’re happy with, regardless of how unrealistic they might be. This is why a lot of people tend to think that musicians who die prematurely have faked their deaths or are involved in something bigger. However, in the case of Orion, there was a legitimate reason to buy into one specific conspiracy theory, as many people were left questioning whether Elvis actually left the building.
On August 16th, 1977, Elvis Presley died at Graceland. Though some people, in retrospect, try to diminish his impact on music because he didn’t write any original songs, the way that he sang and his antics on stage helped move music forward. He remains a defining factor in modern music. His presence in the music industry was undeniable, as he was considered one of the most prominent artists in the world, with a fanbase unlike anyone at the time had seen. As such, when he died at the young age of 42, it shook everyone, and some people blatantly refused to believe it.
For many, Elvis was more than a musician; he was a sign of the times and a way of life. To be so dedicated to someone and their art form, and for them to be such an unwavering presence, means that it’s a tough pill to swallow when they pass away. A lot of people turned their noses up at the news and decided to live in the delusion that the famous rock star had faked his death to live a more secluded life, away from the prying eyes of the public. This rumour would have remained exactly that, were it not for the introduction of the ominous Orion.
In 1978, only a year after The King had passed away, the label he was initially signed to, Sun Records, released a duet of a Jerry Lee Lewis solo single from ’61. One of the voices in the song was unnamed, but it had such a solid vocal tone that it completely mimicked Elvis’ sound. Several other covers from Sun Records’ back catalogue followed, each of them containing a voice that sounded like a duplicate of Elvis’.s
Several conspiracies were born from these singles as fans worldwide started to question whether or not they were hearing some unreleased tracks or whether the rumours were true and the ‘King of Rock and Roll’ lived after all. Eventually, Sun Records came out with an explanation, but it only added fuel to the unrelenting fire of ambiguity, as they announced the singer was Orion, a mysterious masked figure.
People began to buy wholly into the idea that Elvis was alive and well. It made perfect sense to them, as they said that Elvis had decided to leave the world of fame that had imprisoned him and live unshackled. Equally, he could never abandon his true calling, so he sneakily released music under the radar. Revelling in the rumours and reaping the records, Sun Records released a string of Orion albums, the first of which was called Reborn.
Fast forward to 1998, a man called Jimmy Ellis lies on the floor of his pawn shop. Jimmy has been murdered in broad daylight by people who have come to rob his store. Stories of Ellis’s death flood the news, but years before, he was gauging interest for a different reason, as he pulled back the mask and revealed himself to be Orion.
The founder of Sun Records, Sam Phillips, sold the label and its catalogue of music to Shelby Singleton in 1969, eight years before the death of Elvis. When he passed away, Singleton saw an opportunity to capitalise on the ambitions of Ellis, who was more or less a vocal doppelganger to Elvis, and the grief of the King’s mourning fans worldwide. Singleton decided he would begin releasing music, having Ellis sing in the style of Elvis, allowing the rumours of him faking his death to help with record sales and increase the label’s profit margins.
Ellis performed as Orion for five years. He grew increasingly uncomfortable with the idea of playing him, so in 1983, he finally decided to reveal his identity and end the Elvis conspiracy. His career didn’t take off as well as he wanted when he revealed his identity, but at least he wasn’t performing under a guise. Eventually, his career dwindled slightly, and Orion’s story was lost amongst many other stars.
