Even as a boy, Rio had a passion: “He’d disappear from the walnut grove and his father would find him under a tree, playing his guitar. . .” By 14 years old, Rio had turned professional.Chuck Rio & The Champs just returned from an engagement in England and regularly travels across the United States, “the Caribbean, Canada, everywhere!” Rio said with a laugh. “What was my most memorable concert? All of them! But Santa Paula is home, and that’s extra special.”It was also a homecoming of sorts for Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (BBVD), who sparked a music revolution by being big (in numbers and sound) and bad (as in mischievous), working that voodoo of retro jive-swing with a decidedly rock ‘n’ roll attitude. . .oh, daddy!Founded in Ventura in the early 1990s, BBVD played local and LA clubs and then took off with an appearance in the film “Swingers” in 1996; BBVD were top stars by the 1999 Super Bowl, when BBVD headlined the half-time show.During the Centennial Concert, BBVD played many of the cuts from their “Big Bad Voodoo Daddy” album and a smattering sample from the later “This Wonderful Life” as the crowd danced in their seats.Scotty Morris (who writes the songs and is lead vocalist, although all BBVD join in on many), Dirk Shumaker, Kurt Sodergren, Karl Hunter, Glen “The Kid” Marhevka, Andy “Luscious” Rowley and Josh Levy, recreated a Shriners’ convention gone wild with BBVD’s brassy-sassy sound, including tunes “Maddest Kind of Love,” “Mambo Swing,” their signature song, “You & Me & the Bottle Makes Three Tonight (Baby),” “King of Swing,” and - as a tribute to Cab Calloway (who would have loved to have played with The Boys) - “Minnie the Moocher.”The secret of BBVD, aside from all being outstanding musicians, is that they - like the late, great Fats Waller - always seem to be having more fun than the audience.After “So-Long-Farewell-Goodbye” the crowd wouldn’t let BBVD go. . .and they obliged by coming back for a rousing encore.“I drive through the river valley,” to visit family up north from his LA home, said Karl Hunter after the show. “I like Santa Paula. . .it has a good vibe.”
Hometown honors to Chuck Rio, Voodoo Daddy swings during Centennial Concert
May 03, 2002
Santa Paula News
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula TimesIt was “Tequila” that led to the “Maddest Kind of Love” when Chuck Rio & The Champs appeared with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy in the special Centennial Concert. The mega-musical event shook up the delighted crowd with a once a century show that would have caused even the city’s staid founders to get up and boogie down.The concert, held April 20 at the Santa Paula High School Stadium, was heard for blocks; patio parties were the rage of those hillside dwellers overlooking the football field who be-bopped at will.Danny Flores, aka Chuck Rio, is a native of Santa Paula and the concert was a special welcome home to the Godfather of Latin Rock: his “Tequila” is a landmark song that won the first Grammy in the “rhythm and blues category in 1959. . .that’s a thrill I’ll never forget.”Another thrill was when he was surprised with a special proclamation declaring “Chuck Rio-Danny Flores Day” honoring Santa Paula’s native son, presented by radio DJ Lee “The Boomer” Marshall.“He was the terror of 7th Street,” Marshall said to cheers. “. . .this is the man who created Latin rock!” and has been inducted into the Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame.Rio’s signature composition, “Tequila,” is the most popular single instrumental ever released and has been featured in a record 22 films. “The song will live forever!” Marshall noted.“It’s great to be back in Santa Paula,” said Rio, whose homecoming concert included a special appearance by Santa Paulan Henry Nava on the saxophone.“Henry used to pay for the music lessons. . .and then teach them to me!” Rio told the crowd. Other Santa Paulans sitting in with The Champs were Benito Tafoya and Jesse Rasco.The first two rows of field seats held many of Rio’s friends and family members - including son Michael Flores - who still live in Santa Paula.“I’m his biggest fan,” said sister Lola Morales.“Danny worked with his family,” as walnut farmworkers, said his wife, Sharee, backstage. Sharee not only sings with the band - which includes Rio’s son Jim Flores - but banters nonstop with her husband.
