Tequila!.......DEAD!
Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 12:34 am
"Tequila" songwriter dies
By The Associated Press
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — Danny Flores, 77, who composed, played the saxophone and shouted "tequila!" in the 1950s hit song "Tequila," has died.
Mr. Flores, who lived in Westminster, died Tuesday at Huntington Beach Hospital, hospital spokeswoman Kathleen Curran said. He died of complications from pneumonia, the Long Beach Press-Telegram reported.
Family members told The Orange County Register he had Parkinson's disease.
The man sometimes called the "godfather of Latin rock" was born in Santa Paula but grew up in Long Beach. By 5 he was playing the guitar in church and at 14 he was a member of a trio that performed Mexican music.
In 1957, Mr. Flores was in a group that recorded some work with rockabilly singer Dave Burgess. One of the songs was based on a nameless instrumental tune Mr. 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. Mr. 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 for best rhythm-and-blues performance. Mr. Flores continued to play it for the next 40 years.
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."
The song also is frequently featured in the University of Washington Husky Band playlist.
By The Associated Press
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — Danny Flores, 77, who composed, played the saxophone and shouted "tequila!" in the 1950s hit song "Tequila," has died.
Mr. Flores, who lived in Westminster, died Tuesday at Huntington Beach Hospital, hospital spokeswoman Kathleen Curran said. He died of complications from pneumonia, the Long Beach Press-Telegram reported.
Family members told The Orange County Register he had Parkinson's disease.
The man sometimes called the "godfather of Latin rock" was born in Santa Paula but grew up in Long Beach. By 5 he was playing the guitar in church and at 14 he was a member of a trio that performed Mexican music.
In 1957, Mr. Flores was in a group that recorded some work with rockabilly singer Dave Burgess. One of the songs was based on a nameless instrumental tune Mr. 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. Mr. 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 for best rhythm-and-blues performance. Mr. Flores continued to play it for the next 40 years.
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."
The song also is frequently featured in the University of Washington Husky Band playlist.