The Fireballs, sometimes billed as Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs, were an American rock and roll group of the 1950s and 1960s. Rock and roll (also spelled Rock n Roll, especially in its first decade), also called rock, is a form of popular music, usually featuring vocals (often with vocal harmony), electric guitars and a strong back beat; other instruments, such as the saxophone, are common in some styles. ... The 1950s was the decade spanning the years 1950 to 1959. ... The 1960s decade refers to the years from January 1, 1960 to December 31, 1969, inclusive. ...

The Fireballs got their start as an instrumental group, recording at Norman Petty's studio in New Mexico, where Buddy Holly had previously launched his career. They reached the Top 40 with the singles "Torquay" in 1959 and "Bulldog" in 1960 before adding singer/pianist Jimmy Gilmer to the group. Norman Petty (May 25, 1927 - August 15, 1984) was an American musician, songwriter, and pioneer record producer who helped shape modern pop music. ... Capital Santa Fe Largest city Albuquerque Area  Ranked 5th  - Total 121,665 sq mi (315,194 km²)  - Width 342 miles (550 km)  - Length 370 miles (595 km)  - % water 0. ... Charles Hardin Holley (September 7, 1936 – February 3, 1959), better known as Buddy Holly, was an American singer, songwriter, and a pioneer of Rock and Roll. ... The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. ... See also: 1958 in music, other events of 1959, 1960 in music, 1950s in music and the list of years in music // Events 1959 (date unknown) Jimi Hendrix buys first electric guitar: a White Single pickup Supro Ozark 1560 S. January 5 The first sessions for Ella Fitzgeralds George... See also: 1959 in music, other events of 1960, 1961 in music, 1960s in music and the list of years in music // Events January 14 - Elvis Presley is promoted to Sergeant in the U.S. Army February 6 - Songwriter Jesse Belvin dies in an automobile accident in Los Angeles, California. ...

Billed as Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs, the group reached #1 on the Billboard chart with "Sugar Shack", which remained at that position for five weeks in 1963. The single also reached #1 on Billboard's R&B chart for one week in November of that year, but its run on that chart was cut short because Billboard ceased publishing an R&B chart from November 30, 1963 to January 23, 1965. Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs then had another pop hit in 1964 with "Daisy Petal Pickin'", which reached #15 on the Hot 100. The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. ... See also: 1962 in music, other events of 1963, 1964 in music, 1960s in music and the list of years in music // Events January 1 - The Beatles start a 5 day tour in Scotland to support the release of their new single, Love Me Do. January 4 - At Cortina d... Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, formerly known as Top Soul Singles, Top Black Singles, and Top R&B Singles (before the hip-hop term was added in the late 1990s), is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States. ... These are the Billboard magazine R&B singles chart number one hits of 1963: See also: 1963 in music, List of number-one R&B hits (United States) Gap in the chart From November 30, 1963 to January 23, 1965 there was no Billboard R&B singles charts. ... See also: 1963 in music, other events of 1964, 1965 in music, 1960s in music and the list of years in music // Events January 1 - Top of the Pops premieres on BBC television. ...

During "Daisy Petal Pickin'"'s run on the charts, the British Invasion began with the first hits by The Beatles. The group had difficulty competing with the influx of British artists and did not reach the Top 40 again until 1968, with "Bottle of Wine", written by Tom Paxton, which they took to #9 on the Hot 100. Although Gilmer was still a member of the group, the band was billed simply as the Fireballs on that single. The change in billing was the idea of their producer Norman Petty, who had previously found success with recordings billed variously as by Buddy Holly and by The Crickets which featured the same personnel. ^[1] The appearance of The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show, February 9, 1964, marked the dramatic start of the British Invasion. ... The Beatles, an English musical group from Liverpool, are one of the most critically acclaimed, commercially successful popular music artists in history. ... See also: 1967 in music, other events of 1968, 1969 in music, 1960s in music and the list of years in music // January 4 - Guitarist Jimi Hendrix is jailed by Stockholm police, after trashing a hotel room during a drunken fist fight with bassist Noel Redding. ... Thomas R. Paxton was born October 31, 1937 in Chicago, Illinois, the youngest child of Burton and Esther Paxton. ... Charles Hardin Holley (September 7, 1936 – February 3, 1959), better known as Buddy Holly, was an American singer, songwriter, and a pioneer of Rock and Roll. ... The Crickets The Crickets were the backing band formed by singer/songwriter Buddy Holly in the 1950s. ...

The Fireballs continue to perform in the present day. 2006 is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

References

1. ^ James, Gary. Gary James' Interview With George Tomsco Of The Fireballs. classicbands.com. Retrieved on 2006-11-22.

2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... November 22 is the 326th day (327th on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Official site
• The Fireballs at Allmusic.com
• Jimmy Gilmer at Allmusic.com