Chuck Rio, born Daniel Flores on July 11, 1929, in Santa Paula, California, was a prominent American saxophonist and songwriter, renowned for his contribution to rock and roll and Latin rock music. Of Mexican heritage, Flores grew up in Long Beach, California, where he developed an early interest in music, initially playing the guitar before switching to the saxophone at age 14. He formed his first band, the 3-D Ranch Boys, and played various music genres to cater to his audience.

Flores is best remembered for his self-penned instrumental hit "Tequila," which he recorded with The Champs. The song, characterized by its catchy saxophone melody and Flores's interjection of the word "Tequila," reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1958 and won a Grammy for Best Rhythm & Blues Performance. Despite its success, Flores did not initially receive royalties due to contractual issues, though he eventually received some royalties for European sales in the early 2000s.

Throughout his career, Flores performed under the stage name Chuck Rio to avoid conflicts with his existing record label contracts. He continued to perform and record music throughout his life, forming other groups such as the Originals and the Persuaders. Flores passed away on September 19, 2006, in Huntington Beach, California, due to complications from pneumonia. His legacy endures through his influential saxophone style and the enduring popularity of "Tequila."