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| label = [[Challenge Records (1950s)|Challenge]], [[Apex Records (Canada)|Apex]] (Canada), [[Gold Star Studios]]
| label = [[Challenge Records (1950s)|Challenge]], [[Apex Records (Canada)|Apex]] (Canada), [[Gold Star Studios]]
}}
}}
'''The Champs''' were an American [[rock and roll]] band, most famous for their Latin-tinged [[instrumental]] "[[Tequila (song)|Tequila]]". The group was formed by [[recording studio|studio]] executives at [[Gene Autry]]'s [[Challenge Records (1950s)|Challenge Records]]<ref name="sealsandcrofts">{{cite web|url=http://www.sealsandcrofts.com/champs.html |title=THE CHAMPS (1958-1965) |publisher=Sealsandcrofts.com |date= |accessdate=2013-10-15}}</ref> to record a [[A-side and B-side|B-side]] for the Dave Burgess (aka Dave Dupree) [[single (music)|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.<ref name="telegram">[http://www.presstelegram.com/passages/ci_4371644 ]{{dead link|date=October 2013}}</ref> The song was recorded at [[Gold Star Studios]] in fall 1957, and in 1959 won the [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance]].<ref name="Grammy's">{{cite web|url=http://www.grammy.com/awards/1st-annual-grammy-awards |title=1st Annual Grammy Awards |author=Unknown |publisher=Grammy.com |accessdate=2014-03-10}}</ref> It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a [[music recording sales certification|gold disc]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]].<ref name="The Book of Golden Discs">{{cite book
'''The Champs''' were an American [[rock and roll]] band, most famous for their Latin-tinged [[instrumental]] "[[Tequila (song)|Tequila]]". The group was formed by [[recording studio|studio]] executives at [[Gene Autry]]'s [[Challenge Records (1950s)|Challenge Records]]<ref name="sealsandcrofts">{{cite web|url=http://www.sealsandcrofts.com/champs.html |title=THE CHAMPS (1958-1965) |publisher=Sealsandcrofts.com |date= |accessdate=2013-10-15}}</ref> to record a [[A-side and B-side|B-side]] for the Dave Burgess (aka Dave Dupree) [[single (music)|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.<ref name="telegram">[http://www.presstelegram.com/passages/ci_4371644 ] {{wayback|url=http://www.presstelegram.com/passages/ci_4371644 |date=20070927203934 }}</ref> The song was recorded at [[Gold Star Studios]] in fall 1957, and in 1959 won the [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance]].<ref name="Grammy's">{{cite web|url=http://www.grammy.com/awards/1st-annual-grammy-awards |title=1st Annual Grammy Awards |author=Unknown |publisher=Grammy.com |accessdate=2014-03-10}}</ref> It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a [[music recording sales certification|gold disc]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]].<ref name="The Book of Golden Discs">{{cite book
| first= Joseph
| first= Joseph
| last= Murrells
| last= Murrells

Revision as of 02:21, 8 January 2016

This article is about the band. For the podcast, see The Champs (podcast).
For other uses, see The Champ (disambiguation) and Champs (disambiguation).

[1]

The Champs
OriginLos Angeles, California, United States
GenresRock and roll, Chicano rock, Tex-Mex
Years active1958–1965
LabelsChallenge, Apex (Canada), Gold Star Studios

The Champs were an American rock and roll band, most famous for their Latin-tinged instrumental "Tequila". The group was formed by studio executives at Gene Autry's Challenge Records[2] to record a B-side for the Dave Burgess (aka 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.[3] The song was recorded at Gold Star Studios in fall 1957, and in 1959 won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance.[4] It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA.[5]

"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."[3] Flores' "dirty sax" and his low-voiced "Tequila!" are the hallmarks of the song.[6] Flores signed away the U.S. rights to the song but retained world-wide rights until his death.[7] Dale Norris is still in MO and works at a Walmart in Joplin.

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".

Band members

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.

Singles

Year Titles (A-side, B-side)
Both sides from same album except where indicated 		Chart positions Album
US US R&B UK
1958 "Tequila"
b/w "Train To Nowhere" 		1 1 5 Go Champs Go
"El Rancho Rock" / 30 10 —
"Midnighter" 94 — —
"Chariot Rock"
b/w "Subway" 		59 — — Everybody's Rockin'
"Turnpike"
b/w "Rockin' Mary" 		— — —
"Beatnik"
b/w "Gone Train" 		— — — Non-album tracks
1959 "Caramba"
b/w "Moonlight Bay" 		— — —
"Night Train"
b/w "The Rattler" 		— — —
"Sky High"
b/w "Double Eagle Rock" 		— — —
1960 "Too Much Tequila"
b/w "Twenty Thousand Leagues" (Non-album track) 		30 — 49 Great Dance Hits
"The Little Matador"
b/w "Red Eye" 		— — — Non-album tracks
"Alley Cat"
b/w "Cocoanut Grove" 		— — —
"Tough Train"
b/w "The Face" 		— — —
1961 "Sombrero"
b/w "The Shoddy Shoddy" (from Great Dance Hits) 		— — —
"Hokey Pokey"
b/w "Jumping Bean" (Non-album track) 		— — — Great Dance Hits
1962 "Tequila Twist" / 99 — —
"Limbo Rock" 40 — —
"Experiment In Terror"
b/w "La Cucaracha" 		— — — Non-album tracks
"I've Just Seen Her"
b/w "What A Country" 		— — — The Champs Play All-American
"Limbo Dance"
b/w "Latin Limbo" 		97 — — Non-album tracks
"That Did It"
b/w "Varsity Rock" 		— — —
1963 "Nik Nak"
b/w "Shades" 		— — —
"Mr. Cool"
b/w "3/4 Mash" 		— — —
"Cactus Juice"
b/w "Roots" 		— — —
"San Juan"
b/w "Jalisco" 		— — —
1964 "Only The Young"
b/w "Switzerland" 		— — —
"Kahlua"
b/w "Fraternity Waltz" 		— — —
1965 "Bright Lights, Big City"
b/w "French 75" 		— — —
1966 "Anna"
b/w "Buckaroo" 		— — —
1987 "Tequila"
b/w "Pee Wee's Dance" (by Joseki Love) 		— — 82 Pee Wee's Big Adventure (Soundtrack)

See also

References

  1. ^ Myers, Gary. "The Champs". toop shelf oldies.
  2. ^ "THE CHAMPS (1958-1965)". Sealsandcrofts.com. Retrieved 2013-10-15.
  3. ^ a b [1] Template:Wayback
  4. ^ Unknown. "1st Annual Grammy Awards". Grammy.com. Retrieved 2014-03-10.
  5. ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 98. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
  6. ^ [2][dead link]
  7. ^ Pete Larsen. "Danny Flores, 'Tequila' songwriter, dies at 77". Ocregister.com. Retrieved 2013-10-15.
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