Gene Alden was the drummer for "The Champs" whose hit B side song "Tequila" went to No. 1 in three weeks after it was released in 1958. It sold over a million copies back in 1958. In 1959 the song won the Grammy Award for best R&B performance.

The group got its name from Rog Rogers horse "Champion". They shortened it of course. The group eventually had changes, but Gene was the drummer who played on "Tequila" and some other songs that became poplular and toured with them. If anyone played rock n roll back in those days you had to play "Tequila". That song has been covered by uncountable bands including Wes Montgomery.

This is Gene playing "Tequila".