John Ellison

October 2, 2010

at the Carnegie Gallery

In 1967, a self-contained group called the Soul Brothers Six emerged on the music scene out of Rochester, New York. Members of the group included Charles Armstrong, Harry Armstrong, Vonnell Benjamin, Lester Pelemon, Joe Johnson, and a young man named John Ellison from Landgraff, a small, poverty-stricken coalmining village in West Virginia.

With John as the lead guitarist, singer and songwriter for the group, the Soul Brothers Six signed a recording contract with Atlantic Records and recorded a song entitled "She's Some Kind of Wonderful", with lyrics and vocals by John Ellison.

"She's Some Kind of Wonderful" reached the top 100 in Billboard magazine; and in 1987, a book called "Sweet Soul Music" was published, discussing the Soul Brothers Six as a major influence on the sound of modern music.

Not only has the trademark bass line in "She's Some Kind of Wonderful" been utilized by countless other artists for a variety of different songs, but the song has also earned the Soul Brothers Six a spot in music history. More than 50 different artists have recorded "She's Some Kind of Wonderful," making it one of the most recorded songs in the history of music. In 1995, John Ellison received a citation of achievement from Broadcast Music for writing the third-most played song in the world.

John continues to record music and tour the world, delivering his blend of rhythm, blues and soul into the ears of eager audiences. He also has a new album out, and is always busy adding to his ever-evolving selection of spices and other delectables available through his food company.

Pretty soon, fans of John Ellison will be able to read firsthand accounts of his life and career, as John is currently working on his soon-to-be-released autobiography. The book discusses some of the most prominent moments of John's lengthy career as a recording and performing artist.