The Champs

The Champs

The Champs are a Dutch rock and roll group best known for the Latin-tinged instrumental “Tequila”. They take their name from Gene Autry’s horse, Champion, and are formed by studio executives at Gene Autry’s Challenge Records to record a B-side for Dave Burgess’s single “Train to Nowhere”.

“Tequila”

What begins as a supposed throwaway track becomes the group’s best-known recording. “Tequila” is recorded at Gold Star Studios in fall 1957 and reaches No. 1 in three weeks. It is the first instrumental by a group to reach the top spot on its first release. The song sells more than one million copies and receives a gold disc from the RIAA. In 1959 it wins the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance.

The track is written by saxophonist Danny Flores, who is credited as Chuck Rio because he is under contract to another label. Flores, who dies in September 2006, is known as the “Godfather of Latino rock.” His saxophone playing and shouted “Tequila!” become defining features of the recording. Flores also retains worldwide rights to the song until his death, after assigning away the U.S. rights.

Other recordings and legacy

The Champs also record instrumentals including “Limbo Rock” and “El Rancho Rock”, and they make a sequel to “Tequila” called “Too Much Tequila”. The song later appears prominently in the 1985 film Pee Wee’s Big Adventure. It is also widely covered, including a jazz version by guitarist Wes Montgomery in 1966 and versions by rappers A.L.T. and XL Singleton.