After a long illness, Tejano musical legend Flaco Jiménez has died at age 86. As a solo artist and member of supergroups Texas Tornados and Los Super Seven, the singer-songwriter and accordionist soundtracked the lives of generations of San Antonians, bringing conjunto to the global stage.

"It is with great sadness that we share tonight the loss of our father…," wrote Jiménez's family in a Facebook statement. "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."

A member of a San Antonio musical dynasty that included father Santiago Jiménez Sr. and grandfather Patricio Jiménez, Flaco was first recorded at age 15 as a member of Los Caporales. Although he first played the bajo sexto, he became famous for the squeezebox.

Jiménez's unique accordion playing style brought the singer unprecedented success. After he began playing with Doug Sahm in the '60s, he became a popular session musician working with Dr. John, Ry Cooder, and the Rolling Stones.

The '80s saw another wave of crossover fame. Jiménez won his first Grammy as a solo artist and for his work with Tejano supergroup Texas Tornados with Sahm, Augie Meyers, and Freddie Fender. His lively accordion playing on "Streets of Bakersfield" helped Dwight Yoakam and Buck Owens score a number one hit in 1988.

During a seven-decade career, Jiménez would go on to receive several honors, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys in 2015 and the 2022 National Medal of the Arts. But he still kept his hometown near to his heart, frequently performing at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center's Texas Conjunto Festival. This year, he was the face of the annual poster.

The U.S. Library of Congress called Jiménez "a champion of traditional conjunto music and Tex-Mex culture" when inducting his album Partners into the National Recording Registry in 2021, but his indelible legacy transcends his sound. His stardom was a symbol of Mexican-American identity and pride, woven into the very fabric of Alamo City.