Dave Burgess, the guitarist, songwriter, and founding member of the pioneering rock and roll group The Champs, has died at the age of 90.
His death was confirmed in an obituary stating he passed away on October 19, 2025, in Dover, Tennessee.
Burgess was best known as the driving force behind The Champs, the band that shot to fame with their 1958 instrumental smash hit Tequila. Though the track was originally released as the B-side to Train to Nowhere, it quickly eclipsed its A-side counterpart after radio DJs began spinning it heavily. Within weeks, Tequila topped the Billboard pop chart and went on to win the first-ever Grammy Award for Best R’n’B Performance.
Born on December 3, 1934, in Los Angeles, Burgess began his music career during the early days of rock and roll. He adopted his stepfather’s surname and initially recorded as a solo artist before forming The Champs in the late 1950s. The group’s lineup included saxophonist Chuck Rio (real name Daniel Flores), who penned Tequila and delivered its iconic shouted refrain.
The Champs enjoyed a string of hits throughout the late ’50s and early ’60s, but it was Tequila that cemented their place in music history. The song’s enduring popularity was further boosted by its memorable use in the 1985 cult classic Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, where it soundtracked a now-famous dance scene.
Beyond his work with The Champs, Burgess was a prolific songwriter and producer, credited with over 700 copyrighted compositions. His influence extended across genres, and his contributions helped shape the sound of early American rock and roll.
Burgess is survived by his son, David. He was predeceased by his wife, Deon, and daughter, Charmaine. A celebration of life service was held on November 8 at Anglin Funeral Home in Dover.