The Champs
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The Champs | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Santa Paula, California, United States |
| Genres | Rock and roll, Chicano rock, Tex-Mex |
| Years active | 1958–1965 |
| Labels | Challenge, Apex (Canada), Gold Star Studios |
The Champs were an American 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.
"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]
There are many cover versions of the tune, for example by Herb Alpert in 1972, as well as by the rappers A.L.T. and XL Singleton. The Champs also had success with instrumentals such as "Limbo Rock" and "La Cucaracha". In 1985 it featured prominently in the film, Pee Wee's Big Adventure.
The Champs also recorded a sequel to Tequila entitled "Too Much Tequila".
Band members
- Chuck Rio - saxophone, vocals (born Danny Flores, July 11, 1929, Santa Paula, California, died September 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 June 28, 1943, Arkansas City, Kansas, died November 1, 2006, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
- Gen Alden - drums (born Cisco, Texas)
- Paul C Saenz - Guitar, born in Anthony, New Mexico Now living in Bakersfield, California.
- Benjamin Van Norman - Bass, died November 1958 in a car accident.
Later band members included Glen Campbell, Jerry Cole and Seals and Crofts, Paul C Saenz. 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 Seal's replacement on saxophone, Keith MacKendrick.
Hit Singles
| Year | Title | Chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B | UK | ||
| 1958 | "Tequila" | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| "El Rancho Rock" | 30 | 10 | — | |
| "Chariot Rock" | 59 | — | — | |
| "Midnighter" | 94 | — | — | |
| 1960 | "Too Much Tequila" | 30 | — | 49 |
| "The Little Matador" | — | — | — | |
| 1962 | "Tequila Twist" | 99 | — | — |
| "Limbo Rock" | 40 | — | — | |
| "Limbo Dance" | 97 | — | — | |
| 1987 | "Tequila" | — | — | 82 |
See also
References
External links
- The Champs at AllMusic
- "The Champs" on the History of Rock website