His career spanned seven decades
Conjunto and Tejano music legend Flaco Jimenez has died at the age of 86. His family announced his passing on social media, stating that he died on July 31st, surrounded by loved ones.
“It is with great sadness that we share tonight the loss of our father, Flaco Jimenez. He was surrounded by his loved ones and will be missed immensely. Thank you to all of his fans and friends—those who cherished his music. And a big thank you for all of the memories. His legacy will live on through his music and all of his fans. The family requests privacy during this time of sadness and grievance,” his family writes.
The influential accordionist, a San Antonio native, had a career spanning seven decades and won multiple Grammy Awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015. He was known for his collaborations with artists from various genres, including Ry Cooder, Bob Dylan, and the Rolling Stones.
Born into a musical family, Jiménez was a third-generation accordionist. His grandfather, Patricio Jiménez, and father, Santiago Jiménez, Sr., were respected figures in the genre. Flaco began performing with his father at seven, and by 15, he was recording with his first band, Los Caporales. Although he initially played the bajo sexto (a Mexican 12-string guitar), he was inspired by his father and zydeco musician Clifton Chenier to switch to the accordion, which would define his career.
Jiménez became a local legend in San Antonio, known for his ability to fuse the classic Tejano sound with elements of blues and country. His career took a significant turn in the 1970s when he began working with roots rocker Doug Sahm, which led to collaborations with Ry Cooder, Bob Dylan, and Dr. John. These partnerships, including his appearance on Cooder’s album Chicken Skin Music, brought him to a wider, non-Tejano audience.
In the late 1980s, his career reached new heights. He played accordion on Dwight Yoakam’s hit song “Streets of Bakersfield” and joined forces with Doug Sahm, Freddy Fender, and Augie Meyers to form the supergroup, The Texas Tornados. The band won a Grammy Award for their self-titled debut album. Jiménez was also a member of another supergroup, Los Super Seven, which also won a Grammy. He was also a guest musician on The Rolling Stones’ album Voodoo Lounge. In the mid-90s, he teamed with The Mavericks for their hit, “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down,” which hit No. 13 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.
Jiménez’s Hohner Corona II accordion is on permanent display at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. It’s featured in the Sing Me Back Home: Folk Roots to the Present exhibit, which explores the history and evolution of country music. This inclusion is a testament to Jiménez’s lasting impact on the genre, particularly his role in defining the sound of the supergroup, the Texas Tornados, and his wider influence on blending Tex-Mex and country music.
“Flaco Jimenez was a paragon of Tejano conjunto music, exemplifying not only its sound, but its culture-blending spirit with his richly melodic accordion playing. Whether he was recording with Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt, or the Rolling Stones, or working with his own supergroup, the Texas Tornados, Flaco drew millions of listeners into a rich musical world they might not have discovered on their own. ‘Streets of Bakersfield’ by Dwight and Buck wouldn’t have been the same without his sparkling touches. Neither will a music community that cherished his towering talent and open heart,” shares Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
During his career, Jiménez received numerous accolades, including multiple Grammy Awards and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015. He was also honored with a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship and a Billboard Latin Music Lifetime Achievement Award. His influence on music extended beyond his performances. He was a trailblazer who introduced the world to the vibrant and soulful music of the Texas-Mexico border, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire musicians and listeners for generations.
