The Champs

The Champs

The Champs were a rock and roll band, most famous for their Latin-tinged instrumental "Tequila." Formed by studio executives at Gene Autry's Challenge Records^[1] to record a B-Side for the Dave Burgess (aka Dave Dupree) single, the intended throwaway track became more famous than its A-Side, "Train to Nowhere". "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.^[2] The song was recorded at Gold Star Studios in 1958, and in 1959 won the Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Recording.

There are many cover versions of the tune, for example by rappers A.L.T. and XL Singleton. The Champs also had success with instrumentals such as "Limbo Rock" and the famous "La Cucaracha". In 1985 it featured prominently in the movie "Pee Wee's Big Adventure", that inspired a 1985 Hip-Hop hit for rapper Joeski Love based on Tequila's melody.

The Champs also recorded a sequel to Tequila entitled Too Much Tequila.

They're mentioned in Thomas Pynchon's 2009 novel Inherent Vice (pg. 125).

Band members

• Chuck Rio - saxophone, vocals (born Danny Flores, Jul 11, 1929, Santa Paula, California, died Sep 19, 2006, Huntington Beach, California)
• Dave Burgess - guitar (born Lancaster, California)
• Dale Norris - guitar, keyboards (born Springfield, Massachusetts)
• Bobby Morris - bass (born Tulsa, Oklahoma)
• Dean McDaniel - bass (born Jun 28, 1943, Arkansas City, Kansas, died Nov 1, 2006, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
• Gen Alden - drums (born Cisco, Texas)
• Buddy Bruce - rhythm guitar
• Benjamin Van Norman - Bass died Nov 1958 in a car accident.

Band members later featured Glen Campbell and Seals and Crofts. "Tequila!" was written and sung 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."^[2] Flores' "dirty sax" and his joyous hollering of "Tequila!" are the hallmarks of the song. ^[3] Flores signed away the U.S. rights to the song but retained world-wide rights until his death.^[4]

The last lineup of The Champs, in 1965, included Johnny Trombore, who co-wrote some songs with Jimmy Seals, Maurice Marshall, Dash Crofts, bassist Curtis Paul and Jimmy's replacement on sax, Keith MacKendrick. MacKendrick was another important song collaborator with Jimmy Seals and Dash Crofts.

See also

• Chicano rock

Notes

1. ^ THE CHAMPS (1958-1965)
2. ^ ^{a b} Press-Telegram - A toast to 'Tequila!' singer
3. ^ Danny Flores, 77; Musician Who Shouted 'Tequila!' on 1950s Hit - Los Angeles Times
4. ^ Entertainment: Danny Flores, 'Tequila' songwriter, dies at 77 - OCRegister.com

External links

• The Champs at Allmusic
• http://www.history-of-rock.com/champs.htm