Herb Alpert is an American trumpeter, bandleader, and co-founder of A&M Records, best known for leading the Tijuana Brass in the 1960s. His signature “Ameriachi” sound mixed mariachi-inspired brass with easy-listening pop and produced a string of massive instrumental hits.
“Tequila,” however, is not one of his recordings—it is the 1958 Latin-rock instrumental by The Champs that topped the Billboard Hot 100 and won a Grammy. Alpert’s music shares a similar sunny, south-of-the-border flavor, which may explain the occasional mix-up.
- Alpert’s biggest hits include “The Lonely Bull,” “A Taste of Honey,” “Spanish Flea,” and the vocal No. 1 “This Guy’s in Love with You”
- “Tequila” was originally a B-side written by Chuck Rio (Danny Flores) and features the famous shouted title word three times
- The Champs’ track remains a party and sports-arena staple decades later
While Herb Alpert never claimed “Tequila,” his Tijuana Brass helped popularize the same vibrant Latin-tinged instrumental style that made the song an enduring classic.