Interviewer
Dr. George Garrison
Files
Abstract
This interview was conducted by Dr. George Garrison with John Lee (Bird) Ellis for Dr. Garrison’s project on the History of Emmett Scott High School. Emmett Scott was the segregated high school for African-Americans, which was named after Emmett Scott, a former aide to Booker T. Washington and President Woodrow Wilson. The school opened in 1920 and closed in 1970 when full integration was implemented in Rock Hill, South Carolina schools. In this interview, Mr. Ellis discusses his family history, including his maternal grandfather who was a slave owned by the Barnes family, known in Rock Hill for owning Comporium. Mr. Ellis discusses at length his experiences growing up in Rock Hill and his education starting at a Rosenwald School and continuing at Emmett Scott. Mr. Ellis also discusses his military service and career after attending Emmett Scott High School. Mr. Ellis details extensively his musical career as well as the career of his brother, Jimmy Ellis, who was the lead singer for The Trammps, their most famous song was ‘Disco Inferno’.
Publication Date
8-2-2013
Unique Identifier
OH 709
Format
MP3; WAV;
Length
02:54:53
Disciplines
Law
Recommended Citation
Ellis, John Lee and Emmett Scott High School, "Interview with John Lee "Bird" Ellis - OH 709" (2013). Winthrop University Oral History Program. OH 709.
https://digitalcommons.winthrop.edu/oralhistoryprogram/597