Sims Ellison Explained

Sims Ellison
Birth Name:Sims Edgar Ellison
Birth Date:10 March 1967
Birth Place:San Antonio, Texas, United States
Death Place:Austin, Texas, United States
Instrument:Guitar
Genre:Alternative, heavy metal, hard rock
Occupation:Musician, guiatirst
Years Active:1980's–1995
Past Member Of:Pariah
Website:http://simsfoundation.org/

Sims Ellison (March 10, 1967 – June 6, 1995) was an American guitarist, who played for Pariah. In 1995, Ellison killed himself due to depression about the music industry. Today there is a charity for local Austin musicians who suffer from mental health and suicidal issues called the Sims Foundation.

Biography

Ellison was born into a San Antonio musical family. He and his brother Kyle formed a heavy metal band in high school called Pariah. After a few albums released with different record labels they signed with Geffen Records in 1991 recording their notable album To Mock A Killingbird that was released in 1993. In May 1995 Geffen Records dumped the band after which Ellison went into a major depression.

Death

On June 6, 1995 Ellison died after he shot himself with a gun in his Austin apartment. He was 28 years old.[1]

SIMS Foundation

The SIMS Foundation was founded by former Pariah manager Wayne Nagle shortly after Sims`death, in honor of him. This charity helps local Austin musicians who have mental health issues by supporting them and their families.[2]

In October 2021, the SIMS Foundation launched a campaign to treat musicians' mental health. The idea first arose in the immediate aftermath of the 2017 Las Vegas shooting and was expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic when, in late 2020, Ellison's father launched The Founders Challenge to address mental health in the musical stage.[3]

Personal life

Ellison dated actress Renée Zellweger for a few years.

Discography

Studio albums

Tribute albums

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: After Sims Ellison took his life in 1995, foundation was set up to aid musicians with mental health woes. Austin360.com.
  2. Book: Talevski, Nick . 2010 . Rock Obituaries - Knocking On Heaven's Door . Omnibus Press . 156 . 9780857121172 . Google Books.
  3. News: Mims . Taylor . Austin's SIMS Foundation Wants to Take Musician Mental Healthcare Nationwide . 11 October 2021 . . 10 October 2021.