Vocalist. Famed as the lead singer of the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based 1970s disco group "The Trammps." Their signature hit "Disco Inferno" popularized from the soundtrack to "Saturday Night Fever" (1977) became an immense hit on the radio as well as in nightclubs. Born James Thomas Ellis, II, he was drawn to music during his youth, as he participated in a local church gospel choir. He acquired experience initially as a performer in a local group called the Four Knights and following high school graduation in 1958, he moved north where he settled in New Jersey. Ellis joined what would evolve into The Trammps by the late 1960s, after several name changes. By the early 1970s, Ellis had succeeded Gene "Faith" Jones as lead singer and their debut album "The Legendary Zing Album" (1975) was released under the Buddah record label which featured a unique version of Judy Garland's "Zing Went the Strings of My Heart." They also scored a Top-40 hit with "Hold Back the Night" from the album. This was followed with their self-titled album "Trammps" (1975) and the more commercially successful "Where the Happy People Go" (1976) which included the Top-30 hit "That's Where the Happy People Go" (1976). At this point, they adopted the Philly-soul (or sound) style and had signed with Atlantic Records. "Disco Inferno" reached number 11 on the US Pop Charts in 1978 and earned them a gold record, as well as a Grammy Award. Ellis remained an active performer in addition to working as a hospital technician in Philadelphia.
Vocalist. Famed as the lead singer of the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based 1970s disco group "The Trammps." Their signature hit "Disco Inferno" popularized from the soundtrack to "Saturday Night Fever" (1977) became an immense hit on the radio as well as in nightclubs. Born James Thomas Ellis, II, he was drawn to music during his youth, as he participated in a local church gospel choir. He acquired experience initially as a performer in a local group called the Four Knights and following high school graduation in 1958, he moved north where he settled in New Jersey. Ellis joined what would evolve into The Trammps by the late 1960s, after several name changes. By the early 1970s, Ellis had succeeded Gene "Faith" Jones as lead singer and their debut album "The Legendary Zing Album" (1975) was released under the Buddah record label which featured a unique version of Judy Garland's "Zing Went the Strings of My Heart." They also scored a Top-40 hit with "Hold Back the Night" from the album. This was followed with their self-titled album "Trammps" (1975) and the more commercially successful "Where the Happy People Go" (1976) which included the Top-30 hit "That's Where the Happy People Go" (1976). At this point, they adopted the Philly-soul (or sound) style and had signed with Atlantic Records. "Disco Inferno" reached number 11 on the US Pop Charts in 1978 and earned them a gold record, as well as a Grammy Award. Ellis remained an active performer in addition to working as a hospital technician in Philadelphia.
Bio by: C.S.
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