Jimmy Gilmer

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

Jimmy Gilmer
Born	September 15, 1940 Chicago, Illinois, US
Died	September 7, 2024(2024-09-07) (aged 83) Amarillo, Texas, US
Occupation(s)	Musician, businessman
Instrument	Vocals
Years active	1959–2022
Formerly of	The Fireballs

Early life

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

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

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]