Gospel legend Ellison passes away

A local musician has left a legacy that will continue as his gifts of gospel continue to touch lives.

Tommy Ellison, often called the Superstar of Gospel Music, passed away on Jan. 3. A native of Aiken County, Ellison was born on Sept. 15, 1932, in Salley.

As founder and lead vocalist of the Tommy Ellison & the Singing Stars gospel quartet in the 1950s, Ellison impacted many lives through his music. His career as a singer, composer, arranger, producer, manager and director led him all over the world playing in nearly all 50 states and five countries.

Tommy and The Singing Stars performed at The Apollo, Madison Square Garden and Carnegie Hall. The group appeared on several national variety shows over the years. Inducted into the American Gospel Quartet Convention Hall of Fame in 2002, Ellison was recognized by the South Carolina legislature for the "outstanding contribution toward preserving the heritage of African-American gospel music."

His legacy in gospel music is an inspiration to many. Noldon Pope of Annapolis, Md., still recalls the first time he ever heard Tommy Ellison and the Singing Stars perform.

"I am originally from Aiken, and I grew up listening to his music. At first, it was because my parents did, until I saw him one day at Schofield," Pope said. "I didn't know what to think; I just stood and looked. His performance encouraged me to play guitar, and now I have a studio where I record Christian gospel and I have my son involved in music."

Pope's experience with Ellison came even closer to home when, as a surprise to his parents for their 50th anniversary, he and his siblings asked Tommy Ellison and The Singing Stars to perform at their party.

"My parents had their first 50th-year argument. Mom kept saying, 'That's Tommy Ellison' and Dad kept saying, 'No, it's not.' They realized it was him when he started singing," Pope said as he recalled the anniversary.

For the many lives he touched, Ellison's music will continue to play in their hearts.