We don’t know where or when this was recorded, but this guy performing a karaoke version of Tequila by The Champs totally nails it. He didn’t even have to look at the lyrics!
the champs
Unsung Heroes of Hispanic Heritage Month: Pianist Shep Devereaux
They were ordinary people living ordinary lives, until one singular sensation of circumstance conspired with fate to make them UNSUNG HEROES OF HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH.
Hollywood, Dec. 23, 1958. Singing cowboy Gene Autry‘s Challenge Records signed hard-drinking rockabilly singer/piano-player Shep Devereaux to produce four sides. Devereaux, originally from New Orleans, booked the Flores Trio (Danny Flores on saxophone and keyboards, Gene Alden on drums, and lead guitarist Buddy Bruce) to back him up. They recorded three rockabilly numbers and an up-tempo mostly-instrumental track composed by Flores, a song jokingly called “Chingate.” The song’s lyrics consisted of just that one cussword, repeated three times and featured a blistering sax solo by Flores.
When Autry, in the control room, heard “Chingate” he knew it was a hit, but realized the name had to change, so he asked for suggestions for three-syllable phrases from the band.
“Horchata!” “Tu madre!” “Pendejo!” The musicians were full of ideas.
Mas…Unsung Heroes of Hispanic Heritage Month: Pianist Shep Devereaux
You can’t go wrong with Mariachi Flor de Toloache and ‘Tequila’ (video)
New York City’s Mariachi Flor de Toloache — live in Memphis — take a request for a song everybody loves, Tequila, the 1958 golden oldie by The Champs.
The Champs rock ‘Tequila’ on American Bandstand
This clip from American Bandstand is so old everyone is in black and white, including a 20-something Dick Clark. Dick presents a gold record (1,000,000 45 RPM singles sold) and introduces The Champs and their hit Tequila.
We featured the back story on this tune in our series Unsung Heroes of Hispanic History Month:
Unsung Heroes of Hispanic Heritage Month: Shep E. Devereaux
They were ordinary people living ordinary lives, until one singular sensation of circumstance conspired with fate to make them UNSUNG HEROES OF HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH.
(Hollywood, Dec. 23, 1958) Singing cowboy Gene Autry‘s Challenge Records signed hard-drinking rockabilly singer/piano-player Shep E. Devereaux to produce four sides. Devereaux, originally from New Orleans, booked the Flores Trio (Danny Flores on saxophone and keyboards, Gene Alden on drums, and lead guitarist Buddy Bruce) to back him up.
They recorded three rockabilly numbers and an up-tempo mostly-instrumental track composed by Flores, a song jokingly called “Chingate.”
The song’s lyrics consisted of just that one cussword, repeated three times and featured a blistering sax solo by Flores.
Mas…Unsung Heroes of Hispanic Heritage Month: Shep E. Devereaux
Unsung Heroes of Hispanic Heritage Month: Shep Devereaux
They were ordinary people living ordinary lives, until one singular sensation of circumstance conspired with fate to make them UNSUNG HEROES OF HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH.
Hollywood, Dec. 23, 1958. Singing cowboy Gene Autry‘s Challenge Records signed hard-drinking rockabilly singer/piano-player Shep Devereaux to produce four sides. Devereaux, originally from New Orleans, booked the Flores Trio (Danny Flores on saxophone and keyboards, Gene Alden on drums, and lead guitarist Buddy Bruce) to back him up. They recorded three rockabilly numbers and an up-tempo mostly-instrumental track composed by Flores, a song jokingly called “Chingate.” The song’s lyrics consisted of just that one cussword, repeated three times and featured a blistering sax solo by Flores.
When Autry, in the control room, heard “Chingate” he knew it was a hit, but realized the name had to change, so he asked for suggestions for three-syllable phrases from the band.
“Horchata!” “Tu madre!” “Rafalca!” The musicians were full of ideas.
Mas…Unsung Heroes of Hispanic Heritage Month: Shep Devereaux