The Fireballs Vaquero

Originally formed in 1958 in Raton, New Mexico, The Fireballs took their name after a particularly raucous performance of Great Balls of Fire earned the group a standing ovation. Thereafter they secured an audition at Norman Pettys studio in Clovis, where the legendary producer of Buddy Holly assisted in the recording of two tracks to try and get the group a recording contract. Those tracks were eventually leased to Kapp Records, although they failed to make an impact and the group subsequently signed with the British label Top Rank, their label home for their first two albums. Vaquero was the second of those albums, released towards the tail end of 1960 and featuring a distinct Tex-Mex flavour to the repertoire. By this time the group consisted of George Tomsco (lead guitar), Chuck Tharp (rhythm guitar and vocals), Stan Lark (bass) and Eric Budd (drums). Only the title track made much of a chart impression, peaking at #99 on the Billboard Hot 100, but the album was well received critically and commercially, and several of the albums twelve tracks were regularly featured on live performances. Vaquero also marked the end of the first incarnation of The Fireballs, for they were to draft in Jimmy Gilmer as lead vocalist and eventually play second fiddle to his billing. Despite this, The Fireballs remain a popular live draw around the world, and Vaquero remains an in demand album.