Tag Archives: The Champs

The Champs – “Tequila” (1958)

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“Tequila” is a 1958 Mexican-flavored rock and roll instrumental written by Chuck Rio and recorded by the Champs. “Tequila” became a No. 1 hit on both the pop and R&B charts at the time of its release and continues to be strongly referenced in pop culture to this day.[2] – WIKI

“In 1957, Gene Autry’s record label, Challenge Records, signed Dave Burgess (born 1934), a rockabilly singer-songwriter from California who often recorded under the name “Dave Dupree”. At the end of 1957, having produced no hits, Challenge Records looked to Burgess, who organized a recording session on December 23 in Hollywood. In the studio that day were Burgess on rhythm guitar, Cliff Hills on bass, the Flores Trio (Danny Flores keyboards, Gene Alden on drums, and lead guitarist Buddy Bruce), and Huelyn Duvall contributing backing vocals. Flores, also a saxophonist, suffered a jaw injury the night prior to the session in a brawl at a local establishment. He was unable to play saxophone for the session so another saxophonist was called in to play the trademark “dirty sax” solo at the last minute. [3] They gathered primarily to record “Train to Nowhere”, a song by Burgess, as well as “Night Beat” and “All Night Rock” (a song that has never been released).” Read more…

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