The Champs

Formed in Los Angeles during 1957, the instrumental quintet the Champs brought together Challenge Records executive Dave Burgess, born in Lancaster, CA, on guitar with session players Buddy Bruce on guitar, Chuck Rio—born Daniel Flores in Rankin, TX—on saxophone, Cliff Hills on bass, and Gene Alden, born in Cisco, TX, on drums. This configuration cut Rio’s “Tequila” as the B-side of Burgess’ “Train to Nowhere,” and the track reached the top of the charts in 1958. Although the Champs remained essentially a one-hit wonder, they issued several further singles in the same Latin dance style and continued performing into the mid-’60s. Lineup changes occurred frequently, with later members including Glen Campbell as well as Jimmy Seals and Dash Crofts, who went on to form the successful ’70s duo Seals and Crofts.