“Cerveza” by Boots Brown (see previous post about rock/pop’s Latin roots) was only one of the more obvious attempts to cash in on the runaway success of “Tequila” by The Champs in 1958. “Chili Beans” by Felix & His Guitar also does a great job of appropriating that familiar riff while at the same time adding a melodic counterpart that might possibly have kept the legal wolves at bay:
“Chili Beans” b/w “Puerto Rican Riot”
Felix & His Guitar
*
Felix & His Guitar (backed by The Hot Peppers) released one other recording in 1958 — “Two Tacos” b/w “Summer Love” — and then nothing more.
“Chili Beans” would also see release in the UK and Canada in 1959.
