The Fireballs

George Tomsco
P.O. Box 1204
Raton, New Mexico, USA 87740-1204
(505) 445-9739
E-Mail: [email protected]
RIP Chuck Tharp History of the Fireballs
(from http://www.fireballs-original.com)Hailing from Raton, New Mexico in the late 50s, 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 nightime 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.

WARWICK records released additional singles which included "Quite A Party", and an album. 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.

Their current recordings of traditional 50s/60s style guitar instrumentals, vocals, and their own brand of country-rock music reflect trace influences of Mexican and 'western' music dominant in the Southwest prior to the start of their recording career.

Fireballs recordings and songs are heard in the soundtracks of Forrest Gump, Mermaids, Congo, Dogfight, From Dusk Till Dawn, Box Of Moonlight, and The Real Blonde with others being negotiated for upcoming films.

The Fireballs were the blueprint for the 60s surf rock and author Michael Corcoran says, "George's guitar work has influenced just about every instrumental rock band in existence."

AWARDS AND HONORS

In March 2006, The Fireballs were inducted into the Texas Music Hall of Fame by the Austin Chronicle. The induction was celebrated by George Tomscos appearance at the Austin Music Awards during SXSW. He performed in the all-star Guitars A Go-Go set, featuring Jerry Cole, Burnin Mike Vernon, Earl Poole Ball, and 3 Balls of Fire.

In recognition of their appearance on American Bandstand performance 45 years previous, The State Of New Mexico declared January 20, 2005 "The Fireballs Day".

On August 29, 2001, The Fireballs were inducted into the West Texas Rock & Roll Walk Of Fame in Lubbock, TX. Members present were George Tomsco, Stan Lark, Eric Budd, Chuck Tharp and Jimmy Gilmer - all performed together at the Texas Tech Stadium that evening.

The Fireballs performed at the Nebraska Music Hall Of Fame induction ceremonies in Lincoln, Nebraska in 2000.

July 28, 1989 the Fireballs were inducted into the Norman Petty Studio Walk Of Fame by Vi Petty, and headlined the show that evening at the Petty's Main Street Theatre in Clovis, New Mexico. Three original members performed : Chuck Tharp- vocal & guitar , Eric Budd - drums and George Tomsco - lead guitar . Standing in for original bass player (Stan Lark) was Fireball's historian Jerry MacNeish on bass.

Girlfriend Ink
maintains and handles this MySpace page for George Tomsco.
For Fireballs booking or personal correspondence,
please contact him at the email or address listed above.
George truly appreciates your support of the Fireballs over the years!