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[1] — along with bassist Ted Ansani and drummer Mike Zelenko — would lead the renaissance of power pop in the early 1990s.[2] He committed suicide on June 20, 1996, by carbon monoxide poisoning.[3]

Jim Ellison
Birth nameJames Walter Ellison
BornApril 18, 1964
DiedJune 20, 1996 (age 32)
GenresPower pop

The song "Escape Is at Hand for the Travelin' Man" by The Tragically Hip was written about lead singer Gord Downie's relationship with Ellison and his grief over the suicide.

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

References

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  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.

Further reading

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  • "International Pop Overthrow (Revised Edition): An Ode to the Golden Triangle of Power Pop - Material Issue" by Jim Hoffmann, Susquehanna Road Publishing, 2015, 774 pps.
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