Challenge Records was founded in Los Angeles in 1957 by cowboy singer Gene Autry and former Columbia Records A&R representative Joe Johnson. Autry's involvement with the label was short-lived as he sold his interest to the remaining partners in October 1958.
The label's first success came with instrumental group the Champs, who had their biggest hit in 1958 with "Tequila", a Latin-flavored Rock and roll instrumental song written by Daniel "Danny" Flores and recorded by the Champs themselves. "Tequila" became a No. 1 hit on both the pop and R&B charts at the time of its release and continues to be strongly referenced in pop culture to this day.[1]
History
Challenge Records was founded in Los Angeles, California, in 1957 by cowboy singer Gene Autry and former Columbia Records A&R Representative Joe Johnson. Autry's involvement with the label was short-lived as he sold his interest to the remaining partners in October 1958. The label's first success came with instrumental band The Champs, who had their biggest hit in 1958 with Tequila.
The first Challenge label was blue with silver print, followed after the first half dozen releases by a short-lived light-blue label with red print, then a maroon-colored label with silver print. Finally, around late 1959, the company issued their singles on a green label with silver print. Early Challenge Records releases contained a crest above the Challenge logo with the letters "G A" symbolizing Gene Autry's ownership interest.