History of The Fireballs

Hailing from Raton, New Mexico in the late 50's,
the Fireballs were New Mexico's first Rock & Roll
recording band to become internationally known.

The group was christened the FIREBALLS® after their standing ovation performance of "Great Balls of Fire"
at the Raton High School PTA talent contest in New Mexico, USA...January 1958.
By the year's end they had auditioned for the late Norman Petty at his already internationally famous recording studio
at 1313 W. 7th Street, Clovis, New Mexico, where it stands today - a monumental contribution to the birth of early Southwest style Rock & Roll.

Arriving on a Sunday afternoon for their audition, Petty acknowledged his interest in their basic style, simplicity,
and feel in which the group performed their original guitar instrumentals and vocals
penned by members George Tomsco and Chuck Tharp.

Buddy Holly and the Crickets were scheduled for night time recording sessions Monday and Tuesday,
so Petty logged the first Fireballs session for Wednesday night.

January 1959 found their first record released on KAPP records. "Fireball", a guitar instrumental; and "I Don't Know", a vocal by Chuck Tharp.
Fireball" was the Billboard 'pick' which resulted in the first airplay and sales.

Petty soon negotiated a contract for the group with a new aggressive British based label in the US, TOP RANK records.
As a result more chart instrumental singles and albums followed: "Torquay", "Bulldog", and "Vaquero"
which led to two appearances on Dick Clark's American Bandstand shows.
January 4, 1960 featured them performing "Bulldog", and on June 23, 1961 they performed "Quite A Party".
They later appeared on Clark's Saturday Night show, as well as various other national and regional shows.

Little did the Fireballs know by now that their guitar instrumental music was one of the foundational influences
of the surf music culture that was starting to make big waves.

Coupled with a new vocalist, Jimmy Gilmer, the Fireballs savored success in a new dimension.
"Sugar Shack" on DOT records was a #1 hit and the largest selling single of the year.
More vocal singles and albums followed.
It was a very unique transition in the music business for an 'instrumental guitar band'
to become 'vocal' and retain prestige in both fields.

Besides their own recordings, Petty recruited the Fireballs as studio musicians for other recording artist projects.
Among many, folk singer Carolyn Hester and Arthur Alexander.
It was during this time that Petty orchestrated the group through the task of musically enhancing
the Buddy Holly 'apartment tapes' which surfaced after Holly's death.

The late 60's found the Fireballs on ATCO records with more chart singles and albums.
Gilmer's gutsy lead vocal along with the backup vocals from the Fireballs sang their way
to another top 10 tune with "Bottle Of Wine" followed closely by "Come On, React!",
of which albums were released under each of the titles.

Stan Lark retired from the band in 2016, after being the group's bassist for 58 years.
He passed away August 4, 2021 at the age of 81.

George Tomsco & Jimmy Gilmer performed together as The FIreballs
on February 5, 2022 at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa.
Shortly after Jimmy developed health issues forcing him to retire.
George continues to perform with his local church band.

The legendary Fireballs had come to an end as a performing group after 64 years.