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Introduction

Dave Burgess (born December 13, 1934, Beverly Hills, CA) was an American guitar player, singer, and band leader of The Champs.

Career

In 1953, he recorded for Okeh, and was a singer, but he didn't have much success. He recorded at different record labels through the 50s. In 1957, he recorded for Challenge as Dave Dupree.

The Champs

One day, he was recording with some session musicians, and then they had a jam session, and made the song "Tequila". That was when the band started, and Dave Burgess was on rhythm guitar. They named themselves The Champs after Gene Autry's horse Champion.