Legendary Accordionist Flaco Jiménez Passes Away

American accordionist Flaco Jiménez passed away on Thursday at the age of 85 in his hometown of San Antonio, Texas. Renowned worldwide for his virtuosic playing, Jiménez was considered one of the most important pioneers of Tex-Mex music. His family has since confirmed his passing.

Born Leonardo Jiménez on March 11, 1939, Flaco grew up in a deeply musical family. His father, Santiago Jiménez Sr., was a key figure in conjunto music—a genre characterised by the accordion and bajo sexto, creating lively dance rhythms. Flaco started playing accordion at a young age and was performing professionally by his mid-teens.

Throughout his career, which spanned over seven decades, Jiménez became known for bridging traditional Mexican and Texan music with other genres such as rock, country, and blues. He gained national and international recognition in the 1970s and 80s, collaborating with renowned artists like Ry Cooder, Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt, The Rolling Stones, and Dwight Yoakam.

In the 1990s, he was a vital member of The Texas Tornados, a supergroup that also included Doug Sahm, Freddy Fender, and Augie Meyers. Their energetic blend of Tex-Mex and rock reached audiences around the world and cemented Jiménez’s legacy as a key ambassador of his genre.

Jiménez received multiple Grammy Awards throughout his lifetime, including the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015. He was also honoured with the National Medal of Arts, awarded by President Bill Clinton. Over the course of his career, he released more than sixty albums, always staying true to his roots.

Beyond his extraordinary musical talent, Jiménez was admired for his warm personality and humility. Fellow accordionist Joel Guzman said, “He was a man who brought people together. On stage, he was a force of nature, but offstage, he was just Flaco.”

In recent years, Jiménez had stepped back from the spotlight, but his music continued to resonate on radio stations, in concert halls, and among the many musicians he inspired. His legacy lives on through the rich cultural tapestry he helped shape, uniting generations and communities.

Flaco Jiménez leaves behind a large family and an immense musical heritage. Though his accordion is now silent, his music will continue to echo around the world.