Danny Flores, who shouted "tequila!" on hit record, dies at 77

SF Examiner ^ | 9/22/06

[Borges]

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. - Danny Flores, who played the saxophone and shouted the word "tequila!" in the 1950s hit song "Tequila!", has died. He was 77.

Flores, who lived in Westminster, died Tuesday at Huntington Beach Hospital, said hospital spokeswoman Kathleen Curran. He died of complications from pneumonia, the Long Beach Press-Telegram reported.

The man sometimes called the "godfather of Latin rock" was born in Santa Paula but grew up in Long Beach. By age 5 he was playing guitar in church and at 14 he was a member of a trio that performed Mexican music.

In 1957, Flores was in a group that recorded some work with rockabilly singer Dave Burgess. One of the songs was based on a nameless riff Flores had written. He played the "dirty" saxophone part and repeatedly growled the single-word lyric: "tequila!"

The next year it appeared as the B-side of a single, credited to The Champs. Flores used the name Chuck Rio because he was under contract to a different record label.

"Tequila!" went to No. 1 on the Billboard chart and won a Grammy in 1959. Flores continued to play it for the next 40 years.

"I can honestly tell you he never got tired of playing that song," said his wife, Sharee.

The song has been used in numerous commercials and TV shows. It became popular with a new generation after it was used in the 1985 movie "Pee Wee's Big Adventure."

"After that, we got shows all over the U.S.," said Mrs. Flores, who sang in the shows.

"All these younger people who hadn't heard it were suddenly in love with the song. Danny was just so proud of it."

In addition to his wife, Flores is survived by seven children from previous marriages and 15 grandchildren.

[martin_fierro]

All the greats are gone.

[martin_fierro]

Teq... beer.

[Red Badger]

Paul Reubens is deeply saddened...........

[evets]

Ay carumba!

[weegee]

Rock and Roll PING! email Weegee to get on/off this list (or grab it yourself to PING the rest)

Since the Champs consisted of session performers, there are a number of people who drifted through "the Champs" appearing on one recording here or there.

[knarf]

LOTS of Teq beer

[reagan_fanatic]

"Tequila!!"

[wizr]

"All the greats are gone."

...or turned out to be leftist putzes. Used to loooove CCR. No more.

[Disambiguator]

Love that bar scene. The redhead biker lady was played by Elvira.

[Borges]

CCR was leftist at the time. Remember Fortunate Son?

[Carl LaFong]

Embalming Fluid!!

[reagan_fanatic]

Here's a link to it on YouTube.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Fun song. May he rest in peace.

[dave k]

Glen Campbell, Seals & Crofts...I forgot who else.

Unforgettable chugging guitar, phenominal sax work, and simple refrain...a song that certainly will remain timeless R&R classic!

[RockinRight]

Fogerty still is from everything I've heard.

[Puppage]

Danny Flores, who shouted "tequila!" on hit record, dies at 77

I guess now the worm will eat HIM?

[Victor]

Huh....I always understood that the guy who did the tune with the Champs was none other than Dash Crofts (later part of Seals & Crofts)....now I'm not so sure.

[wizr]

Yep. Guess I was young and stupid. Didn't realize how left until recently.

[frankenMonkey]

One of the songs was based on a nameless riff Flores had written. He played the "dirty" saxophone part and repeatedly growled the single-word lyric: "tequila!"

I wonder if he was sober at the time...?
Anyway, I hope he got the royalties!