Danny Flores
Danny Flores, born Daniel Flores on July 11, 1929, in Santa Paula, California, was an influential American musician, best known for his work as a saxophonist and songwriter. Of Mexican heritage, Flores grew up in Long Beach, California, where he developed a passion for music early on, initially learning guitar before switching to saxophone at age 14. He formed his first band, the 3-D Ranch Boys, and played various genres to cater to his audience.
Flores is most famous for his 1958 hit "Tequila," recorded with The Champs, a band he co-founded. The song, characterized by its catchy saxophone riff and the iconic shout of "Tequila," reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and won a Grammy for Best R&B Performance. Due to contractual obligations, Flores was credited as "Chuck Rio" for the song. Despite its success, Flores sold his rights to "Tequila" and did not initially receive royalties for its American sales, though he later received some royalties from European sales.
Throughout his career, Flores played with various bands, including The Originals and The Persuaders, and continued performing across California until his death on September 19, 2006, in Huntington Beach, California, due to complications from pneumonia. His legacy endures through the timeless appeal of "Tequila."
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