The Champs

Artist

The Champs

41

Releases

About

Dave Burgess was writing songs, recording as an artist, and running the Challenge label for owner Gene Autry. Using studio musicians, he had produced his composition β€œTrain To Nowhere.” With some time left over after a Jerry Wallace session, again using studio musicians, they quickly recorded β€œTequila” for a B-side. Of course, that’s the side that became a huge hit, launching the band that they named after Gene Autry’s horse. Over the next 4 years and through many personnel changes, the Champs landed 3 more top 40 hits and 4 additional minor chart 45s.
Original β€œTequila” musicians (not yet an actual band with a name):
Dave Burgess (b: 1931 – Beverly Hills, Cal)
Danny Flores (Jul 11, 1929; Santa Paula, Cal – Sep 19, 2006; Westminster, Cal)
Buddy Bruce (1930; Springfield, Miss – Jul 1, 2014 – Tulsa, Okla)
Cliff Hills (b: Nov 15, 1918 – Pittsburgh, Pen)
Gene Alden (b: 1931, Sioux Falls, S Dak)
First touring lineup of the Champs:
Dave Burgess
Danny Flores aka Chuck Rio
Gene Alden
Dale Norris (b: 1934; Maple Grove, Miss)
Joe Burnas (b: Aug 15, 1923, Chicago)
Notable early replacement members:
Bob Morris, Jimmy Seals, Dash Crofts, Dean Beard, Glen Campbell, Jerry Cole, Johnny Meeks, followed by many other later members.

Data provided by Discogs

Top Tracks

Most popular songs on Last.fm

1

Tequila

The Champs

2

Tequila (Original)

The Champs

3

El Rancho Rock

The Champs

4

Limbo Rock

The Champs

5

Too Much Tequila

The Champs

6

Tequila - First Version

The Champs

7

Train to Nowhere

The Champs

8

Tequilla

The Champs

9

Midnighter

The Champs

10

La Cucaracha

The Champs

Setlists

Recent live performances Β· data from Setlist.fm

Setlist data provided by Setlist.fm

November 27, 2025

The Piper

St Leonards-on-Sea, England, United Kingdom

  • 1. Talking a Good Game

  • 2. Kicking Tyres

  • 3. I'm in Love

  • 4. These Days

  • 5. Future Past

  • 6. Waiting For The Right Time

  • 7. Heart & Arrow

  • 8. Thinking About My Friend

  • 9. Never In The Moment

  • 10. Consider Me

  • 11. (Never Stop Building) That Old Space Rocket

  • 12. Stay True

  • 13. The Robot Cries

  • 14. Clear Water

  • 15. Sooner or Later

  • 1. Every Beat of My Heart

  • 2. Henry the Van

View on Setlist.fm β†’


October 4, 2025

Eventim Apollo

London, England, United Kingdom

View on Setlist.fm β†’


October 2, 2025

Network

Sheffield, England, United Kingdom

  • 1. (Never Stop Building) That Old Space Rocket

View on Setlist.fm β†’


August 1, 2025

Festival Site

Wickham, England, United Kingdom

  • 1. Talking a Good Game

  • 2. Kicking Tyres

  • 3. I'm in Love

  • 4. These Days

  • 5. Waiting For The Right Time

  • 6. Heart & Arrow

  • 7. I Needed You

  • 8. Consider Me

  • 9. (Never Stop Building) That Old Space Rocket

  • 10. Stay True

  • 11. Sooner or Later

View on Setlist.fm β†’


April 5, 2025

Bucks Students' Union

High Wycombe, England, United Kingdom

View on Setlist.fm β†’

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The Champs has released 41+ albums. Some of their notable releases include Tequila!, Rock'n'Roll Legends, Greatest Hits - Tequila. Explore their complete discography on this page.

Some of The Champs's most popular tracks include Tequila, Tequila (Original), El Rancho Rock, Limbo Rock, Too Much Tequila. Listen to these songs and discover more from their extensive catalog.

Dave Burgess was writing songs, recording as an artist, and running the Challenge label for owner Gene Autry. Using studio musicians, he had produced his composition β€œTrain To Nowhere.” With some time... Read the full biography on this page.

You can find The Champs vinyl records and merchandise on eBay. We feature a curated selection of vinyl releases and collectibles available for purchase.

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