Tejano music legend Flaco Jiménez dies at 86

by

Renowned Tejano musician, songwriter, and virtuoso accordion player, Leonardo “Flaco” Jimenez, passed away at the age of 86.

In this paraphrase, I’ve tried to maintain the original meaning while making it more conversational and easy-to-read.

On Jiménez’s official Facebook page, it was announced by his family that the musician had passed away last Thursday. The cause of his death remains undisclosed.

With deep sorrow, we announce tonight the passing of our beloved father, Flaco Jiménez. He was surrounded by his nearest and dearest when he left us, and his absence will be felt profoundly.”

“We want to express our gratitude to all who appreciated his music, his fans and friends alike. We also thank you for the memories shared. His musical legacy continues through each one of his admirers. During this period of sadness and mourning, we ask for privacy.

For over seven decades, a musician born in San Antonio has made significant strides in his career, earning six Grammy Awards, receiving a National Medal of Arts from President Biden, and solidifying his status as an innovative accordion master who significantly increased the popularity of Tejano and conjunto music within the United States.

Jimenez is primarily recognized for his collaboration with the Tejano music group, Texas Tornados, which boasted the talents of Freddy Fender, Doug Sahm, and Augie Meyers. In 1990, the Texas Tornados won a Grammy for Best Mexican/Mexican-American Performance for their song “Soy de San Luis.” The band’s unique Spanglish style is evident in their most famous track, “(Hey Baby) Que Pasó?”, showcasing their fusion of English and Spanish.

Music

Q: What’s the definition of an optimist?

In 2022, under the guidance of Representative Joaquin Castro from Texas, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus proposed the 1989 hit song for inclusion in the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry. Their aim was to boost Latino presence within American cultural institutions.

Castro, a San Antonio native, shared a statement on Facebook regarding Jiménez’s death.

As a devoted admirer, I express my deep sorrow over the loss of the legendary San Antonio musician, Leonardo ‘Flaco’ Jiménez. He was a groundbreaking figure in conjunto music, earning a Lifetime Achievement Grammy, National Medal of Arts, and a spot in the National Recording Registry for his outstanding contributions. Texas takes immense pride in his lasting impact. May he find eternal peace.

Jiménez’s 1992 album, “Partners,” was inducted into the National Recording Registry in 2020.

In his conversation with the Library of Congress, Jiménez shared that earlier, his music was often dismissed as mere tavern music, lacking in respect. The accordion, it seemed, was viewed more like a joke for parties rather than a serious instrument… However, I hold deep respect for everyone who contributed to this album and I’m truly honored by this acknowledgement.

In 2009, Jiménez’s exceptional talent on a particular musical instrument was acknowledged to such an extent that he partnered with the renowned German musical instrument company Hohner to launch a unique series of accordions, specifically designed for him.

Music

In my days, mastering the art of the accordion could either get me on stage with Lawrence Welk or send me packing to the land of nerds.

Back then, I found myself in a world where proficiency in the accordion could either secure me a spot on Lawrence Welk’s show or label me as a nerd.

In a heartfelt tribute, Hohner stated that the music community has lost an authentic icon with the passing of Flaco Jimenez. Known as a global emissary for Tex-Mex Conjunto music, he shared its lively melodies with fans worldwide. His fervor and mastery on the three-row button accordion sparked countless musicians across various cultures and geographical regions. Since 1976, Flaco was a devoted collaborator of Hohner, a bond established on admiration and a common passion for music. It was an immense privilege to collaborate with such a gifted, humble, and considerate artist.

Flaco Jiménez, born on March 11, 1939, in San Antonio, hails from a musically prominent family. He started performing at just 7 years old alongside his father, Santiago Jiménez, who was a key figure in the conjunto genre. At 15, Flaco made his debut recording with the musical group Los Caporales.

As a humble troubadour, I ascended from hometown acclaim to modest international appreciation within the folk sphere when music scholar Chris Strachwitz recorded my performances for his Arhoolie label. Subsequently, my work was showcased in a 1974 Les Blank film about Texas-Mexico border music, further elevating my status in the musical world.

In 1976, Ry Cooder invited Jimenez to join his Chicken Skin Revue. They collaborated on various ventures together, one of them being the soundtrack for the 1982 movie “The Border,” where Jack Nicholson played the lead role.

In 1986, he received his first Grammy in the “Best Mexican-American Performance” category for his album “Ay Te Dejo en San Antonio,” and he won again in this category with Los Super Seven in 1999. Additionally, he earned Grammys for his solo albums “Flaco Jiménez” (1994) and “Said and Done” (1999). In 2015, he was honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Music

A concert featuring the Texas Tornados should raise some dust at Ventura Theatre on Saturday.

Jiménez has worked with an impressive array of musicians, such as Bob Dylan, Carlos Santana, Dwight Yoakam, and Linda Ronstadt – a list that’s both lengthy and prestigious.

In a Tex-Mex style, Jimmy Jiménez performed an accordion on the ballad “Sweethearts Together,” which appeared on The Rolling Stones’ 1994 album, “Voodoo Lounge.

In 1994, Jiménez shared with The Times that his achievements and acclaim exceeded any self-imagined expectations he had.

He initially believed that his music would only be popular within the local community, mainly hearing it played by his father and other groups in San Antonio, or just in the neighborhood here. However, he noticed a shift in his audience once he started incorporating more bilingual elements into his music and blending rock ‘n’ roll with a touch of country. This change in his music style not only resonated with Chicanos but also attracted Anglos, leading to a stronger response from the public.

In an interview with The Times back in 1996, Jiménez expressed his joy about how blending genres, particularly with country music, broadened the reach of accordion-driven Tejano music, exposing it to a larger audience.

Never before has it been held in higher esteem and garnered more attention. I am truly content. With the current stature of Tejano or conjunto music, we are able to bridge the gap and connect with the mainstream audience.

Thinking about how much the conjunto genre had grown, Jiménez reminisced about one of his first and most significant experiences sharing it with people all over the world.

Tex-Mex or Conjunto music wasn’t popular at all. During our tour, we went to Switzerland, and when I arrived at the concert venue there was only one microphone and one chair. They believed I was going to perform a solo concert using nothing but an accordion,” he explained.

I asked, ‘By the way, where are the rest of the amplifiers and other equipment?’ They found a drum set, so we started our performance. The crowd picked up on it and enjoyed it, creating quite an exciting atmosphere. When I perform, it’s like throwing a party with the audience.

Read More

2025-08-01 23:01