R.I.P.: Sugar Shack's Jimmy Gilmer Dies At 83

Jimmy Gilmer (1940-2024)

Jimmy Gilmer, believed to be the most recorded vocalist at Norman Petty Studios, died Saturday a week short of his 84th birthday, according to Eastern New Mexico News.

Gilmer and The Fireballs recorded their biggest hit -- "Sugar Shack" -- in 1963. It was the last of three No. 1 Billboard magazine hits recorded in the Clovis studio.

"Jimmy first came to the Clovis studio in 1959 and worked with Norman for the next 10 years," the studio announced on its Facebook page Almost Paradise: The Sounds of Norman Petty Studios.

"Rejoining The Fireballs in 2006 after the death of Chuck Tharp, he continued performing with the group until 2022, his final show being in February 2022 at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, IA. Jimmy suffered the last couple of years from Alzheimers. Sincerest condolences to his family and friends."

Gilmer grew up in Amarillo and was living there when he died.

While Buddy Holly was the best known recording artist who frequented Petty's studio on West Seventh Street, Gilmer and the Fireballs had plenty of success as well. The Fireballs recorded six Top 40 hits between 1959 and 1967, including "Sugar Shack" and "Daisy Petal Pickin'" with Gilmer as their headliner.

Gilmer was not an original member of The Fireballs, but joined the group in the early 1960s when he was Petty's studio singer.