Tommy Ellison dies
Tommy Ellison & Five Singing Stars - Love, Peace and Happiness
The second blog entry in 2009 and another great one has joined the Heavenly Choir. Tommy Ellison leader of the Five Singing Stars has passed away yesterday, January 3. He had been seriously ill for a long time as I mentioned in a previous blog entry back in November 2008.
Tommy Ellison was born in 1932 in Wagner, SC where he formed the first incarnation of the Five Singing Stars while in his teens. His professional career started when he joined the Singing Sons in the early 1950s. In 1955 Ellison enlisted with The Harmonizing Four for a few months before joining the Chosen Gospel Singers. With the Chosen Gospel Singers he cut three singles on Nashboro between 1955 and 1957. By 1959 Ellison had pulled together a new version of The Five Singing Stars. In 1960 they made their recording debut at Bobby Robinson's Revelation label before hooking up with Peacock for four singles. Between 1968 and 1970 the group recorded for HOB. In the early seventies Ellison and The Five Singing Stars recorded three albums on Hoyt Sullivan's HSE label. It was only when they joined Nashboro in 1974 that Tommy Ellison & The Five Singing Stars became gospel super stars. Over a period of ten years they recorded nine albums for Nashboro. In the 1980s they joined Malaco and AIR for even more albums.
"...when you have love, you'll find peace."
I'm sure Mister Ellison has found his.
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One of the truly great ones gone on. The Nashboro albums Tommy Ellison made with the Five Singing Sons are as good as any body of gospel work recorded by any group in that era.
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I just listened to some of Tommy's music the other day. When I was a teenager, my mother took me to several Gospel concerts with Tommy and the Five Singing Stars. They were experiences I'll never forget. Rest in peace Tommy!
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This is such a sweet, sweet song. One of the things I really loved about Tommy Ellison was the country twang and groove in a lot of his records. He was especially loved in this part of Alabama.
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A great gospel singer gone to glory. I just found out today from my sister that Mr. Ellison had passed away. I was just listening to "At The Gate I Know" on an old cassette that I purchased when he did a concert in Columbia, SC several years ago. That was my Father's favorite song. He will be truly missed. I guess God took his advice from a song that Tommy wrote years ago-"Come on Home (God Still Loves You)". Rest in peace, Mr. Ellison. You are truly going to be missed. Five Singing Stars-be strong. Keep the faith and God will see you through. God bless you!
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TO MR ELLISION BAND HOLD ON TO GOD UNCHANGING HANDS BECAUSE I KNOW THTA YOU ALL HEART IS VERY HEAVY NOW. BUT GOD WILL MAKE IT LIGHT HE WILL BE SADLY MISS WHEN YOU ALL COME TO BEAUFORT S.C. SAVANNAH GA. I ALWAYS WILL BE RIGHT THERE TO SUPPORT YOU ALL AND TO HAVE A SHOUTING GOOD TIME SLEEP ON MR TOMMY TAKE YOUR REST WE ALL LOVES YOU BUT WE KNOW THAT GOD LOVES YOU THE BEST.
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we love u tommy ellison from maxine blakely
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I JUST LEARN OF TOMMY ELLISON PASSIN IT WAS A SHOCK TO ME HE IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE GOSPEL SINGER I BEEN LIKING HIS GOSPEL SINGING EVERY SINCE I WAS A LITTLE GIRL I USED TO LOVE TO GO SEE HIM WHEN HE CAME TO MY HOME TOWN.IWATCH HIS VIDEO AND HE JUST LIKE HE IS STILL HERE.ONE OF MY FAVORITE SONG I LUV FOR HIM TO SING WAS LET THIS BE A LESSON TO YOU HE WILL BE TRULY MISS I SEND MY PRAYERS TO THE FAMILY AND GROUP.
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TO THE TOMMY ELLISON FAMILY, GOD IS OUR "HEAVENLY FATHER" AND WE ALL BELONG TO HIM. I BELEIVE THAT TOMMY'S LEGACY WILL FOREVER LIVE. I AM A MOBILE DJ AND I WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY TOMMY'S MUSIC UNTIL GOD SAY SO!! TO THE FIVE SINGING STARS, CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE TOMMY ELLISON SAGA, WITH MORE MUSIC FOR ALL OF US. I TRULY ENJOYED THE GOSPEL PROGRAM IN CONWAY,SC AT CONWAY HIGH SCHOOL. I WAS THE MC AND TOMMY AND I HAD CONVERSATION BACK STAGE. TOMMY WAS A COOL AND REAL GOSPEL SUPERSTAR!! THANK YOU JESUS FOR TOMMY AND THE FIVE SINGING STARS. "GOD IS"
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my mother went to school with Tommy and as a young child as well into my teens i had the privilege of meeting him as well as attending his concerts. i have always been a fan of him and the five singing stars.my favorite song was ON MY WAY TO GRANDMAS HOUSE. i also use to love the way he use to hollow out to Sam when he really got into his songs. Well Tommy u have left a lasting memory in alot of peoples minds and hearts. Well i know u will have one fan when u get to paradise, my mother passed away 2 years ago this week. GOD BLESS U FOR ALL THE MEMORYS
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