Jimmy Gilmer’s music career began in 1959 when he found his way to Norman Petty’s Clovis studio where he recorded his first solo single. A short while later, Petty recognised that by linking Gilmer with the Fireballs, who’d hit with ‘Torquay’ and ‘Bulldog’, there was a chance of replicating some of the success Buddy Holly and the Crickets had enjoyed, so he joined the group on vocals and rhythm guitar. Throughout the 60s they issued a vast body of work that mixed vocals and instrumentals, their success peaking with the million-seller ‘Sugar Shack’ in 1963 on Dot Records. The group moved to Atco in 1967 and eventually split with Gilmer in 1969. Ace’s catalogue of their 60s work is very comprehensive.

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