Wechter soon composed the popular song "Spanish Flea" for Alpert, who encouraged him to form his own group for A&M Records.
None of Beethoven's Ninth actually appeared in the album tracks, but another classical work did - a medley of the tunes from the opera Carmen, centering on "Habanera", and also including "cameos" from some of the group's earlier hits - "Spanish Flea", "A Taste of Honey", "Whipped Cream", "What Now My Love", "Zorba The Greek" and "Tijuana Taxi" - worked into the track.
While waiting in the car during the Spinal Tap concert (as well as the ensuing riot), Homer sings along to the song "Spanish Flea" by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass.
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He died at his home in California of lung cancer, a day after his song "Spanish Flea" was used in the Simpsons episode "Sunday, Cruddy Sunday".