Flaco Jiménez Dead: Remembering the Accordion King of Texas and Beyond

The world bids farewell to one of conjunto and Tejano music's greatest ambassadors. Leonardo "Flaco" Jiménez, the master accordionist whose career spanned over seven decades, died on July 31, 2025, at the age of 86, his family announced in a heartfelt Facebook post. He was surrounded by loved ones at the time of his passing.

The family's statement reads: "It is with great sadness that we share tonight the loss of our father, Flaco Jiménez. He was surrounded by his loved ones and will be missed immensely. Thank you to all of his fans and friends who cherished his music... His legacy will live on through his music and all of his fans. The family requests privacy during this time of sadness and grievance."

Earlier in 2025, the family had shared that Flaco was hospitalized in January due to a "medical hurdle," though he appeared to be on the mend. He had long battled health complications in recent years, including a major hip surgery in 2015 and a prior back operation in 2014.

From San Antonio to the World Stage

Flaco was born on March 11, 1939, in San Antonio, Texas. He was only 7 years old when he began performing with his father, Santiago Jiménez Sr., a conjunto pioneer, and recorded his first tracks by age fifteen as part of Los Caporales

He transitioned from bajo sexto to accordion under the influence of his father and zydeco legend Clifton Chenier, carving out a signature style that fused Texas‑Mexican conjunto with blues and country inflections.

Flaco's genre‑bridging collaborations exploded in the 1970s with artists like Doug Sahm and Ry Cooder, featuring on the pivotal Chicken Skin Music album in 1976. His unique sound brought Tejano music into mainstream awareness. He later performed with Bob Dylan, Dr. John, and even appeared on the Rolling Stones' Voodoo Lounge album—a testament to his musical gravitas.

In the late 1980s, he co‑founded two legendary supergroups: The Texas Tornados and Los Super Seven, each earning Grammy Awards. His accordion spark on Dwight Yoakam's chart‑topping "Streets of Bakersfield" pushed his influence into country music terrain.

Throughout his storied career, Flaco garnered at least six Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015, and recognition from the Americana Music Awards, Billboard Lifetime Achievement, and the National Heritage Fellowship from the NEA. In 2022, President Joe Biden awarded him the National Medal of Arts, solidifying his status among America's cultural elite. His 2021 album Partners was inducted into the National Recording Registry for its enduring cultural significance.

Flaco Jiménez embodied the joy and resilience of Tex‑Mex culture. Often seen smiling, shirt gleaming, fingers flying over his Hohner Corona II accordion, he became the face and voice of San Antonio's dance halls and festival stages for generations. Even Hollywood took notice—his music appeared in films like Y Tu Mamá También, Chulas Fronteras, Tin Cup, and Picking Up the Pieces.

As Kyle Young of the Country Music Hall of Fame observed: "Flaco Jimenez was a paragon of Tejano conjunto music... drawing millions into a rich musical world".

His family and collaborators look ahead: Flaco's legacy won't fade. It will be passed on through recordings, festivals, and musicians influenced by his approach to genre‑blending and cultural pride. His son Santiago Jiménez Jr., a Tejano icon in his own right, will undoubtedly continue the family tradition with the same authenticity and fire.

The music world mourns a legend but also celebrates a lifetime of joyous polkas, heartfelt corridos, and soulful conjunto that crossed borders and language barriers. Flaco Jiménez's accordion may fall silent, but its echoes will resonate across future generations.