Dave Burgess was writing songs, recording as an artist, and running the Challenge label for owner Gene Autry. Using studio musicians, he had produced his composition “Train To Nowhere.” With some time left over after a Jerry Wallace session, again using studio musicians, they quickly recorded “Tequila” for a B-side. Of course, that’s the side that became a huge hit, launching the band that they named after Gene Autry’s horse. Over the next 4 years and through many personnel changes, the Champs landed 3 more top 40 hits and 4 additional minor chart 45s. Original “Tequila” musicians (not yet an actual band with a name): Dave Burgess (b: 1931 – Beverly Hills, Cal) Danny Flores (Jul 11, 1929; Santa Paula, Cal – Sep 19, 2006; Westminster, Cal) Buddy Bruce (1930; Springfield, Miss – Jul 1, 2014 – Tulsa, Okla) Cliff Hills (b: Nov 15, 1918 – Pittsburgh, Pen) Gene Alden (b: 1931, Sioux Falls, S Dak) First touring lineup of the Champs: Dave Burgess Danny Flores aka Chuck Rio Gene Alden Dale Norris (b: 1934; Maple Grove, Miss) Joe Burnas (b: Aug 15, 1923, Chicago) Notable early replacement members: Bob Morris, Jimmy Seals, Dash Crofts, Dean Beard, Glen Campbell, Jerry Cole, Johnny Meeks, followed by many other later members.
They signed a recording contract with Challenger Records, which was owned by cowboy actor Gene Autry. He named the group after his horse, Champion.
Band member Danny Flores (aka Chuck Ro ), who wrote and sang their 1958 hit song "Tequila", died in September 2006 at the age of 77, in Huntington Beach, CA. His wife Sharee said "he never got tired of playing that song". He is also survived by seven children and 15 grandchildren.
The Champs were formed in Los Angeles in December 1957. The five original members were Dave Burgess , Danny Flores (aka Chuck Ro ; sax, piano), Cliff Hills , Buddy Bruce (lead guitar), and Gene Alden. Later members included Dale Norris, Joe Burnas, Jim Seals , Dash Crofts , Glenn Campbell , Dean Beard. They were brought together to provide backup for the Kuf-Linx vocal group.
"Tequila" was planned as the B-side to "Train to Nowhere". Radio deejays preferred "Tequila", and the Champs version battled for chart position with a cover version by Eddie Platt. Platts record topped out at #20 on the US charts, while The Champs record went all the way to #1.
Jim Seals and Dash Crofts stayed with the group until it disbanded in 1964. They formed the Dawnbreakers, and re-emerged in the late 1960s/early 1970s as a popular acoustic duo. The Champs had seven more singles on the charts through 1962, none of which came close to matching the success of "Tequila".
