Jim Ellison

Jim Ellison
Born
James Walter Ellison

April 18, 1964
DiedJune 20, 1996 (age 32)
GenrePower pop

James Walter Ellison (April 18, 1964–June 20, 1996) was the frontman for the band Material Issue. He tirelessly promoted his band, booked tours, and secured a major-label deal in 1990. Ellison—along with bassist Ted Ansani and drummer Mike Zelenko—would lead the renaissance of power pop in the early 1990s.

Personal life and legacy

Ellison grew up in Illinois and attended Glenbard North High School.

He died on June 20, 1996, from suicide. Gord Downie, lead singer of The Tragically Hip, wrote the song "Escape Is at Hand for the Travelin' Man" about his relationship with Ellison, and about Downie's grief after Ellison's death. The song was recorded by The Tragically Hip.

References

  1. ↑ Prato, Greg. "Jim Ellison". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 June 2009.
  2. ↑ "Material Issue".
  3. ↑ "MATERIAL ISSUE FRONT MAN IS FOUND DEAD IN GARAGE". Chicago Tribune. 21 June 1996. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  4. ↑ Shapiro, Marc (2017-04-20). What is Hip?: The Life and Times of The Tragically Hip. Riverdale Avenue Books LLC. ISBN 978-1-62601-365-0. a taut and melancholy slice of obscure pop history as it chronicled the life of a Midwest pop/punk band named Material Issue...

Further reading