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Itinerary
With
a new world-wide agency behind him, and his soon to be released
recording titled “Missing You,” JOHN ELLISON returns to the elusive
international spotlight.
 He experienced an early taste of success in the early 60’s as a
member of the SOUL BROTHERS SIX with their R&B hit “Some Kind Of
Wonderful.” It was the strength of that song, composed by ELLISON,
which led to the group’s recording contract with Atlantic Records.
The Atlantic single peaked at #2 on the Billboard R&B charts. A
number of years later the song became a pop standard after GRAND
FUNK RAILROAD’S cover version climbed to the top of the Billboard
pop charts. “Some Kind Of Wonderful” has been recorded many times,
including the recent hit cover version by HUEY LEWIS AND THE NEWS.
BMI presented ELLISON with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995 as
writer of one of the most played songs in the world.
 In “Sweet Soul Music,” author Peter Guralnick comments that “Soul
Music is a message from the heart, and through the story of soul
music, as I finally came to see it, runs a spiritual thread that
links the SOUL BROTHERS SIX with SAM AND DAVE, OTIS REDDING, WILLIAM
BELL and SAM COOKE.” ELLISON found himself with a permanent place in
music history at an early age. At the time he and his group toured
extensively, sharing the bill with the MIRACLES, the IMPRESSIONS,
JACKIE WILSON, MARTHA AND THE VANDELLAS, the O’JAYS, and the
SUPREMES. However, a successful follow-up hit eluded the SOUL
BROTHERS SIX, and ELLISON embarked on a solo career as a writer and
artist.
He recorded briefly for Phil La Of Soul Records in Philadelphia,
which led to a successful tour of Canada where audiences were hungry
for his brand of sophisticated southern soul. Canadian bookings were
so plentiful that he decided to move there. Shortly after moving to
Canada he set out for Europe where he performed on television with
ABBA while touring Yugoslavia and Austria from May of ’74 to January
of ’75. In 1977 while touring England, ELLISON recorded a cover of
CAT STEVENS’ “Wild World” with a British label; but, due to lack of
creative input, and the fact that he wasn’t permitted to record his
own material, he left the label and returned to Canada where he has
been concentrating on writing and producing.
Ichiban Records of Atlanta released his solo album titled “Welcome
Back” in 1992. The album received significant radio airplay and
critical acclaim, returning ELLISON to the public eye. He has become
popular on the European Festival circuit. His current recording
agreement with Real/Bogalusa Records aims to put him in the
forefront as a recording artist.
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