"Tequila" was written and sung by Flores, although he was credited as Chuck Rio at the time because he was under contract to another record label. Flores, who died in September 2006, was known as the "Godfather of Latino rock."[2] Flores' "dirty sax" and his joyous hollering of "Tequila!" are the hallmarks of the song. [1] Flores signed away the U.S.rights to the song but retained world-wide rights until his death.[3]