Jimmy Ellis, lead singer of 70s disco outfit the Trammps—the Philadelphia band that helped fuel the disco revolution with their classic anthem "Disco Inferno"—died Thursday in a South Carolina nursing home. He was 74.

 

Led by Ellis' booming baritone, the Trammps had their first chart success with 1972's cover version of Judy Garland's "Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart," but it wasn't until the release of the 1973 single "Love Epidemic" that they became identified with the new dance craze erupting out of New York and Philadelphia clubs.

 

The outfit caught the disco wave of the mid-'70s but didn't become a household name until dropping what turned out to be their most memorable dance hit, 1976's "Disco Inferno," with its funky festive sound and catchy chorus of "burn, baby, burn."

 

Source New York Times states the cause of death was complications of Alzheimer's disease.

 

The Trammps had 5 UK hits in the 70s

#29 in 1974 -- Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart

 

#40 in 1975 -- Sixty Minute Man

#5 in 1975 -- Hold Back the Night

 

#35 in 1976 -- That's Where The Happy People Go

#42 in 1976 -- Soul Searchin' Time

#16 in 1977 -- Disco Inferno -- used in the soundtrack of Saturday Night Fever

 

R.I.P. Jimmy

http://www.worldcharts.co.uk/images/other/jimmyellis.jpg

Edited March 18, 201213 yr by euro music

RIP Jimmy. He had a wonderful voice, very powerful.

 

"That's Where The Happy People Go" was number 1 on the Billboard Disco chart for three months in late 1975 which I think may be the all time record.