Jimmy Gilmer

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Jimmy Gilmer
BornSeptember 15, 1940
Chicago, Illinois, US
DiedSeptember 7, 2024(2024-09-07) (aged 83)
Amarillo, Texas, US
Occupation(s)Musician, businessman
InstrumentVocals
Years active1959–2022
Formerly ofThe Fireballs

Jimmy Gilmer (September 15, 1940 — September 7, 2024[1]) was an American singer and lead singer for The Fireballs.

Early life

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Gilmer was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1940 but grew up in Amarillo, Texas.[1] In high school he formed his fisrt band, The Jimmy Gilmer Combo, a country group.[2] Jimmy studied music at the Musical Arts Conservator.[2]

Career

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Gilmer moved to New Mexico in 1959 and worked as a session singer at Norman Petty Recording Studios.[3] After a jam with The Fireballs, he was asked to join the group.[1] In October 1963, their song "Sugar Shack", went to number one in the US.[1] Jimmy also provided vocals for their upcoming hits "Daisy Petal Pickin'" and "Bottle of Wine".

Jimmy moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 1970 and started a 30 year partnership with United Artists.[3] He later became the vice president of CBS Songs and hired artists such as Richard Leigh, Bobby Goldsboro, Pat Alger and Brad Paisley.[1] He was the president of the Nashville chapter of The Recording Academy from 1989 to 1991 and was a 1992 graduate of Leadership Music.[3][4] Gilmer retired in 2007 and returned to the Fireballs.[3][5] His last gig with the Fireballs was in Clear Lake, Iowa in February 2022.[6]

Death

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Gilmer died in Amarillo on September 7, 2024, eight days before his 84th birthday. He had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease two years before.[3][6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Jimmy Gilmer | NAMM.org". www.namm.org. 2017-07-14. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
  2. ^ a b "JIMMY GILMER". tims.blackcat.nl. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
  3. ^ a b c d e Oermann, Robert K. (2024-09-12). "Pop Star & Nashville Music Publisher Jimmy Gilmer Passes". MusicRow.com. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
  4. ^ "Jimmy Gilmer". www.acmcountry.com. 2024-09-07. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
  5. ^ "Jimmy Gilmer And The Fireballs - Songs". www.allbutforgottenoldies.net. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
  6. ^ a b "Fireballs vocalist Jimmy Gilmer dies at 83". The Eastern New Mexico News. Retrieved 2025-08-21.