It's been reported that JIMMY ELLIS, the singer of the classic hit 'Disco Inferno,' has died aged 74. The news was confirmed to the New York Times by the veteran's daughter ERIKA STINSON who said that he died of complications owing to his Alzheimer's disease. As one of THE TRAMMPS, Ellis will go down in film soundtrack history, with 'Disco Inferno' appearing in the soundtrack for the hit film 'Saturday Night Fever' in 1977 and going on to become one of the most recognised songs of its time, with a legacy that lasts until this day.
The track was originally performed in 1976 and subsequently released by the combo in the same year, and were it not for the recognition it found having appeared on John Badham's film it might not have imbedded itself into international folklore in quite the same way. Released in early 1977 it reached the top of the Billboard Hot Dance Club Party chart but had limited success aside from that; yet there's no denying the song's quality, a concise take on the disco crazy of the time but buffed up for pure pop accessibility.
There was more to Ellis' arsenal than just that song however, he'd been in THE TRAMMPS since the early 70s and they released a string of albums of which five managed to breach the US Billboard 200 charts. They also gained a couple of Hot 100 chart placings other than their acclaimed hit, with 1976's 'That's Where The Happy People Go' reaching 27 in 1976. Ellis is survived by his wife, three brothers, sister, one son, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.