- Album list
- Singer Intro
The Champs were an American rock and roll band, most famous for their Latin-tinged instrumental 'Tequila'. The group took their name from the name of Gene Autry's horse, Champion, and was formed by studio executives at Gene Autry's Challenge Records to record a B-side for the Dave Burgess (a.k.a. Dave Dupree) single, 'Train to Nowhere'. The intended throwaway track became more famous than its A-side, as 'Tequila' went to No. 1 in just three weeks and the band became the first group to go to the top spot with an instrumental that was their first release. The song was recorded at Gold Star Studios in fall 1957, and in 1959 won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA.
'Tequila!' was written by the saxophone player Danny Flores, although he was credited as Chuck Rio because he was under contract to another record label at the time. Flores, who died in September 2006, was known as the 'Godfather of Latino rock.' Flores' 'dirty sax' and his low-voiced 'Tequila!' are the hallmarks of the song. Flores signed away the U.S. rights to the song but retained worldwide rights until his death.
There are many cover versions of the tune, including a jazz version by guitarist Wes Montgomery in 1966. It has also been recorded by rappers A.L.T. and XL Singleton. The Champs also had success with instrumentals such as 'Limbo Rock' and 'El Rancho Rock'. In 1985 'Tequila' featured prominently in the film Pee Wee's Big Adventure.
The Champs also recorded a sequel to Tequila entitled 'Too Much Tequila'.
Later years
They had a lot of success on their records they made, but finally in 1965, Dave Burgess put a stop to the band.
Band members
Chuck Rio - saxophone, vocals (born Daniel Flores, July 11, 1929, Santa Paula, California, died September 19, 2006, Huntington Beach, California)
Dave Burgess - rhythm guitar (born December 13, 1934 Beverly Hills, California)
Dale Norris - lead guitar, (born Springfield, Missouri)
Bob Morris - bass guitar (born Hasty, Arkansas)
Dean McDaniel - bass (born June 28, 1943, Arkansas City, Kansas, died November 1, 2006, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
Gene Alden - drums (born 1930, Los Angeles, California)
Benjamin Van Norman - bass, died November 1958 in a car accident.
Joe Burnass - bass guitar
Later band members included Glen Campbell, Jerry Cole, Seals and Crofts, Dean Beard - piano, Chuck Downs - drums, Rich Grissom, Johnny Meeks - guitar, Gary Nieland - drums, Jery Puckett - guitar, and Leon Sanders. The last lineup of the Champs, in 1965, included Johnny Trombatore, who co-wrote some songs with Jimmy Seals, Maurice Marshall, Dash Crofts, bassist Curtis Paul and Seal's replacement on saxophone, Keith MacKendrick.
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