Ellis left the Vibrators in 1978 to form the short-lived group Rapid Eye Movement, before embarking on a solo career in 1979, releasing a couple of singles, one of which, "Babies in Jars" (a live Rapid Eye Movement recording) reached #34 on the UK Indie Chart.
[1] During that period he also created music for European Art exhibitions and several short films.
Ellis has contributed to the recordings of Judge Smith, a founding member of Van der Graaf Generator.
In 2005, Ellis formed a community organisation called 'The Luma Group', that delivers arts based training and workshops.
The first release was Wabi Sabi 21©, an album of electronic instrumentals inspired by the Japanese Tea Ceremony.