A Legacy Born in Music
Family Roots & Early Beginnings
Born into the musical house of Santiago Jiménez Sr.—a legendary pioneer of conjunto music—Flaco began performing alongside his father at just seven years old. By age fifteen, he was recording with Los Caminantes, already marking the early stages of an extraordinary career.
The Nickname “Flaco”
The moniker “Flaco,” meaning “skinny” in Spanish, became his stage identity early on—originally applied to his father and then passed to him during his teenage years.
🌎 Bridging Cultures Through Music
What Louis Armstrong was to jazz, Flaco Jiménez became to conjunto—its greatest ambassador. His fusion of polka, waltz, ranchera, blues, country, and rock gave Tex‑Mex music a global audience.
Collaborations with Music Icons
He shared stages and studios with an eclectic lineup, including Doug Sahm, Ry Cooder, Bob Dylan, Dr. John, Carlos Santana, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, The Rolling Stones, and more, seamlessly blending sounds while staying rooted in tradition.
🏅 Accolades & Recognition
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Grammy Awards
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First Grammy in 1986 for the album Ay Te Dejo en San Antonio, featuring his father’s song.
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Additional Grammys with Texas Tornados (1990) and solo performances (Said and Done in 1996, Los Super Seven in 1999).
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In 2015, he was honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.Other Honors
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National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts (2012)
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National Medal of Arts in 2022, accepted on his behalf by his son due to health concerns
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Billboard Latin Lifetime Achievement Award, Americana Music Lifetime Achievement, Texas Medal of Arts (shared with brother), and induction into the National Hispanic Hall of Fame
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His 1992 album Partners was added to the National Recording Registry in 2021.
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💔 Final Chapter & Health
In early 2025, Flaco was hospitalized once again, marking ongoing health battles. By late January, the family confirmed he was recovering at home.
On July 31, 2025, Jiménez passed away at age 86, surrounded by family. His official Facebook page shared the announcement:
“It is with great sadness that we share tonight the loss of our father… Thank you to all of his fans and friends… His legacy will live on through his music.”
During his later years, his health challenges included hip surgery in 2015, back surgery in 2023, and hospital stays for pneumonia and other complications. Feather‑light but resilient, he used to say, “I’m all metal now. I’m bionic.
🎵 In Loving Memory
Flaco’s passing reminds us of the timeless power of music rooted in heritage yet reaching beyond borders. For over seven decades:
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He honored his Mexican-Texan roots while bridging cultures.
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He kept conjunto music alive and evolving, sharing it with audiences worldwide.
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He was a mentor, friend, and a man of the people, beloved in his hometown and respected globally.
He leaves behind a rich discography, legions of fans, and a tradition of musicians inspired by his ingenuity and passion.
🎼 Remembering His Music
Some highlights of Flaco’s enduring legacy:
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Ay Te Dejo en San Antonio (1986 Grammy-winning landmark – one of several works honoring his father’s songwriting)As a key member of Texas Tornados and Los Super Seven, pushing genre boundaries and winning Grammys
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Iconic collaborations with legends like Ry Cooder, Buck Owens & Dwight Yoakam (notably Streets of Bakersfield) and The Rolling Stones, inspiring countless cross-cultural musical explorations.
🌹 A Legacy of Joy and Tradition
Flaco Jiménez embodied what it means to be a cultural bridge—celebrating tradition, embracing innovation, and playing every note with warmth and joy. He said:
“You have to play what’s going on in the world… starting with polka… rock‑and‑roll, cumbia, cha‑cha‑cha… you have to mix it up.”
Today, we honor the life of a legend whose accordion lines danced through time, whose spirit uplifted communities, and whose legacy will echo in dance halls and concert stages forever. Rest in music, Flaco—your song goes on.
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