Green Beer: OR Tequila?

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

I’ll take a pass on the corned beef and cabbage thank you, but will likely toss down a couple of beers today, infused of course with green food coloring. Nothing looks LESS appetizing than green beer, but I’m willing to make the sacrifice in order to honor the day and the man.

Ironically, ANOTHER beverage gets some share of the headlines today. It was on this date in 1958 that The Champs scored their one and only #1 hit, “Tequila”! In fact, it was their only hit, period. If it weren’t for a Cleveland radio DJ, this song, which is familiar to all—would never have had the chance to become part of the fabric of American pop culture.

Written as an afterthought following a recording session at Gold Star Studios in Los Angeles, it became the “B” side to a single called “Train To Nowhere” by Dave Burgess. At that time, it wasn’t unusual for the “B" side to be inspired by one of the session musicians—and that was the case this time around.

Saxophonist Danny Flores created the catchy melody—and also provided the guttural “Tequila” that probably is responsible for making the song a smash. Good trivia question, no? “What #1 song has lyrics that consist of only ONE word?

”TEQUILA!!!

It was only after this session that the musicians gave themselves a name. Since they were recording for Gene Autrey’s fledgling Challenge label, they chose a name inspired by Autrey’s horse, “Champion”—or The Champs.

A Cleveland DJ decided to treat his audience to the “B” side of “Train To Nowhere”—and the rest is musical history

I tried in vain to find a YouTube video of The Champs performing this song, but I find one of their followup, “Too Much Tequila” So, here is a video of the song itself (without the Champs in it)—and the followup:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVXSv3BltCI



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLn1GXDppxg&feature=related


The first song, most definitely a smash. The second lived up to it’s title: TOO MUCH TEQUILA!

Whether it’s tequila or green beer tonight, be safe and…Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!

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