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{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2019}}
{{For|other companies by this name|Challenge Records (disambiguation)}}
{{For|other companies by this name|Challenge Records (disambiguation)}}
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{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2019}}
{{Infobox record label <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Music -->
{{Infobox record label <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Music -->
| name = Challenge Records
| name = Challenge Records
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| location = Los Angeles, California
| location = Los Angeles, California
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}}
'''Challenge Records''' was founded in Los Angeles in 1957 by cowboy singer [[Gene Autry]] and former [[Columbia Records]] [[Artists and repertoire|A&R]] representative Joe Johnson. Autry's involvement with the label was short lived as he sold his interest to the remaining partners in October 1958.
'''Challenge Records''' was founded in Los Angeles in 1957 by cowboy singer [[Gene Autry]] and former [[Columbia Records]] [[Artists and repertoire|A&R]] representative Joe Johnson. Autry's involvement with the label was short-lived as he sold his interest to the remaining partners in October 1958.


The label's first success came with instrumental group [[the Champs]], who had their biggest hit in 1958 with "[[Tequila (Champs song)|Tequila]]", a Latin-flavored [[Rock and roll]] instrumental song written by [[Danny Flores|Daniel "Danny" Flores]] and recorded by the Champs themselves. "Tequila" became a No. 1 hit on both the pop and R&B charts at the time of its release and continues to be strongly referenced in pop culture to this day.<ref>{{cite book |title= Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |authorlink=Joel Whitburn |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research |page=109}}</ref>
The label's first success came with instrumental group [[the Champs]], who had their biggest hit in 1958 with "[[Tequila (Champs song)|Tequila]]", a Latin-flavored [[Rock and roll]] instrumental song written by [[Danny Flores|Daniel "Danny" Flores]] and recorded by the Champs themselves. "Tequila" became a No. 1 hit on both the pop and R&B charts at the time of its release and continues to be strongly referenced in pop culture to this day.<ref>{{cite book |title= Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |author-link=Joel Whitburn |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research |page=109}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
Challenge Records was founded in Los Angeles, California in 1957 by cowboy singer [[Gene Autry]] and former [[Columbia Records]] A&R Representative Joe Johnson. Autry's involvement with the label was short lived as he sold his interest to the remaining partners in October 1958. The label's first success came with instrumental band [[The Champs]], who had their biggest hit in 1958 with ''[[Tequila (The Champs song)|Tequila]]''.
Challenge Records was founded in Los Angeles, California in 1957 by cowboy singer [[Gene Autry]] and former [[Columbia Records]] A&R Representative Joe Johnson. Autry's involvement with the label was short-lived as he sold his interest to the remaining partners in October 1958. The label's first success came with instrumental band [[The Champs]], who had their biggest hit in 1958 with ''[[Tequila (The Champs song)|Tequila]]''.


The first Challenge label was blue with silver print, followed after the first half dozen releases by a short-lived light-blue label with red print, then a maroon-colored label with silver print. Finally, around late 1959, the company issued their singles on a green label with silver print. Early Challenge Records releases contained a crest above the Challenge logo with the letters "G A" symbolizing Gene Autry's ownership interest. They had a sublabel called [[Jackpot Records]].
The first Challenge label was blue with silver print, followed after the first half dozen releases by a short-lived light-blue label with red print, then a maroon-colored label with silver print. Finally, around late 1959, the company issued their singles on a green label with silver print. Early Challenge Records releases contained a crest above the Challenge logo with the letters "G A" symbolizing Gene Autry's ownership interest. Jackpot was the sublabel of Challenge, and was only active from 1958 to the following year.


In 1957 Challenge Records signed [[Dave Burgess (guitarist)|Dave Burgess]] (born 1934), a [[rockabilly]] singer-songwriter from California who often recorded under the name "Dave Dupré". At the end of 1957, having produced no [[Chart-topper|hits]], Challenge Records looked to Burgess, who organized a recording session on December 23 in Hollywood. In the studio that day were Burgess on rhythm guitar, [[Cliff Hills]] on bass guitar, the Flores Trio ([[Danny Flores]] on [[saxophone]] and keyboards, [[Gene Alden]] on drums, and lead guitarist [[Buddy Bruce]]), and [[Huelyn Duvall]] contributing backing vocals.<ref name="Memories of the Tequila Recording Session">{{cite web | title=Memories of the Tequila Recording Session | author=Huelyn Duvall| url=http://huelynduvall.com/champs/champs.htm | accessdate=August 21, 2006}}</ref> They gathered primarily to record "Train to Nowhere", a song by Burgess, as well as "Night Beat" and "All Night Rock".
In 1957 Challenge Records signed [[Dave Burgess (guitarist)|Dave Burgess]] (born 1934), a singer-songwriter from California who often recorded under the name "Dave Dupré". At the end of 1957, having produced no [[Chart-topper|hits]], Challenge Records looked to Burgess, who organized a recording session on December 23 in Hollywood. In the studio that day were Burgess on rhythm guitar, [[Cliff Hills]] on bass guitar, the Flores Trio ([[Danny Flores]] on [[saxophone]] and keyboards, [[Gene Alden]] on drums, and lead guitarist [[Buddy Bruce]]), and [[Huelyn Duvall]] contributing backing vocals.<ref name="Memories of the Tequila Recording Session">{{cite web | title=Memories of the Tequila Recording Session | author=Huelyn Duvall| url=http://huelynduvall.com/champs/champs.htm | accessdate=August 21, 2006}}</ref> They gathered primarily to record "Train to Nowhere", a song by Burgess, as well as "Night Beat" and "All Night Rock".


The last tune recorded was "[[Tequila (Champs song)|Tequila]]", essentially just a jam by the Flores Trio. It is based on a [[Mambo (dance)|Cuban mambo]] beat. The word "[[Tequila]]" is spoken three times throughout the tune. There were three takes, and Danny Flores, who wrote the song, was also the man who spoke the word "Tequila!". Flores also played the trademark "dirty sax" solo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spectropop.com/remembers/DannyFlores.htm |title=Danny Flores Remembered |last=Grobaty |first=Tim |website=Spectropop |accessdate=26 November 2013}}</ref> The song served as the [[A-side and B-side|B-side]] for "Train to Nowhere", which was released by Challenge Records on January 15, 1958. Duvall recalls that the record initially found little success, but, after a DJ in [[Cleveland]] played the B-side, "Tequila" skyrocketed up the charts, reaching No. 1 on the [[Billboard Magazine|Billboard]] chart on March 28, 1958.
The last tune recorded was "[[Tequila (Champs song)|Tequila]]", essentially just a jam by the Flores Trio. It is based on a [[Mambo (dance)|Cuban mambo]] beat. The word "[[Tequila]]" is spoken three times throughout the tune. There were three takes, and Danny Flores, who wrote the song, was also the man who spoke the word "Tequila!". Flores also played the trademark "dirty sax" solo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spectropop.com/remembers/DannyFlores.htm |title=Danny Flores Remembered |last=Grobaty |first=Tim |website=Spectropop |accessdate=26 November 2013}}</ref> The song served as the [[A-side and B-side|B-side]] for "Train to Nowhere", which was released by Challenge Records on January 15, 1958. Duvall recalls that the record initially found little success, but, after a DJ in [[Cleveland]] played the B-side, "Tequila" skyrocketed up the charts, reaching No. 1 on the [[Billboard Magazine|Billboard]] chart on March 28, 1958.


'''Daniel "Danny" Flores''' had actually written the song ''Tequila'', but, because he was signed to another label, the tune was credited to ''Chuck Rio'', a name he adopted for the stage. Those present for the December 23 session began recording together again on January 20, 1958, under the name the Champs; the group technically was formed ''after'' recording "Tequila". The tune has been noted{{by whom?|date=July 2014}} to have a similar rhythm structure to [[Bo Diddley]]'s 1958 release "[[Bo Diddley (1958 album)|Dearest Darling]]".{{citation needed|date=January 2018}}
'''Daniel "Danny" Flores''' had actually written the song ''Tequila'', but, because he was signed to another label, the tune was credited to ''Chuck Rio'', a name he adopted for the stage. Those present for the December 23 session began recording together again on January 20, 1958, under the name the Champs; the group technically was formed ''after'' recording "Tequila". The tune has been noted{{by whom|date=July 2014}} to have a similar rhythm structure to [[Bo Diddley]]'s 1958 release "[[Bo Diddley (1958 album)|Dearest Darling]]".{{citation needed|date=January 2018}}


The Champs recorded a sequel to "Tequila" entitled "Too Much Tequila". Released as a maroon-label Challenge single, it reached No. 30 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].
The Champs recorded a sequel to "Tequila" entitled "Too Much Tequila". Released as a maroon-label Challenge single, it reached No. 30 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].


The group also had a series of hits with pop singer [[Jerry Wallace]] ("[[Primrose Lane]]") and [[country music|country]] singer [[Wynn Stewart]] ("Wishful Thinking"). Other recording artists with the label included [[Jan and Dean]], [[Gary Usher]], [[the Knickerbockers]], and singer-songwriter [[Jerry Fuller]].
The group also had a series of hits with pop singer [[Jerry Wallace]] ("[[Primrose Lane]]") and [[country music|country]] singer [[Wynn Stewart]] ("Wishful Thinking"). Other recording artists with the label included [[Jan and Dean]], [[Gary Usher]], [[the Knickerbockers]], and singer-songwriter [[Jerry Fuller]].


Challenge Records went out of business in the late 1960s. [[Sony/ATV Music Publishing]] owns the catalog today.
Challenge Records went out of business in the late 1960s. [[Sony/ATV Music Publishing]] owns the catalog today.
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==Challenge Records artists==
==Challenge Records artists==
*[[Bobby Austin (musician)|Bobby Austin]]
*[[Bobby Austin (musician)|Bobby Austin]]
*[[Gene Autry]]
*[[Marty Balin]]
*[[Marty Balin]]
*[[The Brogues]]
*[[The Brogues]]
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*[[Dean Beard]]
*[[Dean Beard]]
*[[Rochell & the Candles]]
*[[Rochell & the Candles]]
*[[Kip Tyler and the Flips]]
*Kip Tyler and the Flips
*[[Kip Tyler]]
*Kip Tyler
*[[George W. Weston]]
*[[George W. Weston]]


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==External links==
==External links==
* {{discogs label |41160-Challenge |Challenge}}
* {{discogs label |41160-Challenge |Challenge}}

{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Defunct companies based in Greater Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Defunct companies based in Greater Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Gene Autry]]
[[Category:Record labels established in 1957]]
[[Category:Record labels established in 1957]]
[[Category:1957 establishments in California]]
[[Category:1957 establishments in California]]

Latest revision as of 11:06, 31 January 2024

For other companies by this name, see Challenge Records (disambiguation).

Challenge Records
Founded1957
FounderGene Autry, Joe Johnson
Defunctlate 1960s
StatusSony/ATV Music Publishing holds the catalog
GenreRock and roll
Country of originUnited States
LocationLos Angeles, California

Challenge Records was founded in Los Angeles in 1957 by cowboy singer Gene Autry and former Columbia Records A&R representative Joe Johnson. Autry's involvement with the label was short-lived as he sold his interest to the remaining partners in October 1958.

The label's first success came with instrumental group the Champs, who had their biggest hit in 1958 with "Tequila", a Latin-flavored Rock and roll instrumental song written by Daniel "Danny" Flores and recorded by the Champs themselves. "Tequila" became a No. 1 hit on both the pop and R&B charts at the time of its release and continues to be strongly referenced in pop culture to this day.[1]

History[edit]

Challenge Records was founded in Los Angeles, California in 1957 by cowboy singer Gene Autry and former Columbia Records A&R Representative Joe Johnson. Autry's involvement with the label was short-lived as he sold his interest to the remaining partners in October 1958. The label's first success came with instrumental band The Champs, who had their biggest hit in 1958 with Tequila.

The first Challenge label was blue with silver print, followed after the first half dozen releases by a short-lived light-blue label with red print, then a maroon-colored label with silver print. Finally, around late 1959, the company issued their singles on a green label with silver print. Early Challenge Records releases contained a crest above the Challenge logo with the letters "G A" symbolizing Gene Autry's ownership interest. Jackpot was the sublabel of Challenge, and was only active from 1958 to the following year.

In 1957 Challenge Records signed Dave Burgess (born 1934), a singer-songwriter from California who often recorded under the name "Dave Dupré". At the end of 1957, having produced no hits, Challenge Records looked to Burgess, who organized a recording session on December 23 in Hollywood. In the studio that day were Burgess on rhythm guitar, Cliff Hills on bass guitar, the Flores Trio (Danny Flores on saxophone and keyboards, Gene Alden on drums, and lead guitarist Buddy Bruce), and Huelyn Duvall contributing backing vocals.[2] They gathered primarily to record "Train to Nowhere", a song by Burgess, as well as "Night Beat" and "All Night Rock".

The last tune recorded was "Tequila", essentially just a jam by the Flores Trio. It is based on a Cuban mambo beat. The word "Tequila" is spoken three times throughout the tune. There were three takes, and Danny Flores, who wrote the song, was also the man who spoke the word "Tequila!". Flores also played the trademark "dirty sax" solo.[3] The song served as the B-side for "Train to Nowhere", which was released by Challenge Records on January 15, 1958. Duvall recalls that the record initially found little success, but, after a DJ in Cleveland played the B-side, "Tequila" skyrocketed up the charts, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard chart on March 28, 1958.

Daniel "Danny" Flores had actually written the song Tequila, but, because he was signed to another label, the tune was credited to Chuck Rio, a name he adopted for the stage. Those present for the December 23 session began recording together again on January 20, 1958, under the name the Champs; the group technically was formed after recording "Tequila". The tune has been noted[by whom?] to have a similar rhythm structure to Bo Diddley's 1958 release "Dearest Darling".[citation needed]

The Champs recorded a sequel to "Tequila" entitled "Too Much Tequila". Released as a maroon-label Challenge single, it reached No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The group also had a series of hits with pop singer Jerry Wallace ("Primrose Lane") and country singer Wynn Stewart ("Wishful Thinking"). Other recording artists with the label included Jan and Dean, Gary Usher, the Knickerbockers, and singer-songwriter Jerry Fuller.

Challenge Records went out of business in the late 1960s. Sony/ATV Music Publishing owns the catalog today.

Challenge Records artists[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. p. 109.
  2. ^ Huelyn Duvall. "Memories of the Tequila Recording Session". Retrieved August 21, 2006.
  3. ^ Grobaty, Tim. "Danny Flores Remembered". Spectropop. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  4. ^ Bob Morris (2) discography at Discogs

External links[edit]

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