Dave Burgess, the leader of the band The Champs, who were famous for the hit song "Tequila," has died at the age of 90. The song "Tequila" was a chart-topper in March 1958 and remains recognizable today.
Burgess passed away on October 19 in Tennessee. The cause of his death has not been disclosed. Throughout his career, he was a prolific musician, songwriter, and producer, credited with over 700 copyrighted songs. In 1958, "Tequila" earned him a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance at the inaugural Grammy Awards ceremony.
The song "Tequila" was famously featured in the movie Pee-wee's Big Adventure, where Pee-wee Herman's dance to the song diffused a tense confrontation with a biker gang. Burgess played rhythm guitar for The Champs, a band formed in the mid-1950s. He was born in Los Angeles in 1934 and later moved to Montana to run an art gallery with his wife, Deon Adair Raab. Eventually, he relocated to Nashville with his family, where he re-entered the music industry.
Beyond his musical pursuits, Burgess was an enthusiastic hunter and fisherman. He is survived by his son, David.
