Jimmy Gilmer
American musician (1940–2024)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 |
| Died | September 7, 2024 (aged 83) Amarillo, Texas, US |
| Occupations | Musician, businessman |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 1959–2022 |
| Formerly of | The Fireballs |
Early life
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]