Augie Meyers, Texas Music Legend and Texas Tornados Co-Founder, Dies at 85

Texas music legend Augie Meyers, the influential keyboardist and co-founder of the Tex-Mex supergroup Texas Tornados, has died at the age of 85.

His passing was confirmed in a social media post shared March 9, which read: “Augie Meyers, a true Texas legend, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, March 7th at 85 with his wife Sara at his side. A memorial service for the public will be announced soon. The family thanks all of Augie’s friends and fans for their prayers during this time.”

A pioneering musician known for his distinctive Vox organ sound, Meyers played a pivotal role in shaping the Tex-Mex and Tejano music landscape for more than six decades.

A San Antonio Beginning

Born and raised in San Antonio, Meyers began his musical journey in the 1950s, performing with local bands across South Texas. During that time, he formed a lifelong musical partnership with singer and guitarist Doug Sahm.

Together, the two musicians launched the influential Sir Douglas Quintet in 1964. The band blended rock, Tex-Mex, and rhythm and blues, helping to introduce the distinctive sound of South Texas to a national audience and inspiring generations of musicians that followed.

The Texas Tornados Era

Meyers later became widely recognized as a founding member of the groundbreaking supergroup Texas Tornados, formed in 1989 alongside fellow legends Flaco Jiménez, Doug Sahm, and Freddy Fender.

The group brought together some of the most influential voices in Tex-Mex, country, and Tejano music, creating a sound that crossed cultural and musical boundaries.

In 1990, the Texas Tornados earned a Grammy Award for Best Mexican-American Performance with their hit song “Soy de San Luis.” The band also received three Grammy nominations during their celebrated career.

Over time, Meyers became the last surviving original member of the group, following the passing of Sahm, Fender, and Jiménez in previous years.

A Lasting Legacy

Throughout his career, Meyers remained a respected figure in Texas music, known not only for his unmistakable keyboard style but also for his role in bridging rock, country, and traditional Tex-Mex sounds.

His influence extended across generations of artists in Tejano, conjunto, and roots music, solidifying his place among the most important figures in the history of Texas music.

According to the family’s announcement, details for a public memorial service honoring Meyers will be shared in the coming days.

Fans, fellow musicians, and the Texas music community continue to mourn the loss of a true pioneer whose sound helped define the spirit of Tex-Mex music.

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