Trivia
They signed a recording contract with Challenger Records, which was owned by cowboy actor Gene Autry. He named the group after his horse, Champion.
Members have included Chuck Río.
Band member Danny Flores, who wrote and sang their 1958 hit song "Tequila", died in September 2006 at the age of 77, in Huntington Beach, California. His wife Sharee said "he never got tired of playing that song". He is also survived by 7 children and 15 grandchildren. Early in his career, he also recorded under the name Chuck Rio.
The Champs were formed in Los Angeles in December 1957. The five original members were Dave Burgess (rhythm guitar), Danny Flores (sax, piano), Cliff Hills (bass), Buddy Bruce (lead guitar), and Gene Alden (drums). 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. Platt's record topped out at #20 on the US charts, while the Champs' record went all the way to #1.
Since the song was a big success, they decided to go on tour. A new line-up was formed that included Flores, Burgess, and Alden, along with new members Dale Norris (guitar) and Joe Burnas (bass). Flores and Alden left the band in late 1958, and were replaced by Jim Seals (sax), Dash Crofts (drums), and Dean Beard (piano). In 1960, Burgess was replaced by young up-and-coming guitarist Glen Campbell.
Seals and 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 7 more singles on the charts through 1962, none of which came close to matching the success of "Tequila".
