The Artist Was A Founding Member Of The Sir Douglas Quintet And The Texas Tornados
Augie Meyers, 85, founding member of the Sir Douglas Quintet and the Texas Tornados, died on March 7, 2026.
Described as “a true Texas legend,” Meyers’ family announced on social media that he had died, thanking fans of the musician for “their prayers during this time.”
Meyers was best known for his virtuosic playing of the Vox Continental, a transistorized combo organ, as well as his keyboard and accordion playing, which came to be known as a quintessential element of the Tex-Mex sound. In 1964, he helped found the Sir Douglas Quintet with Doug Sahm, showcasing his musicianship. When the band dissolved in 1973, Rolling Stone noted that he continued playing music with Sahm and others.
By 1989, Meyers and Sahm officially teamed up again, co-founding the Tex-Mex supergroup the Texas Tornados. The group’s song “(Hey Baby) Que Paso” was one of their biggest hits, with the tune being celebrated in San Antonio, Texas, as the city’s unofficial anthem.
Throughout his career, Meyers collaborated with many other significant artists, including Bob Dylan, Tm Waits, and John Hammond Jr.
In 2020, Meyers was honored on the occasion of his 80th birthday by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, with Abbott writing in a decree, “As a musician, singer, songwriter, producer, record label owner, and founding member of both the Sir Douglas Quintet and the Texas Tornados, you have been a vital influence in the Texas music scene. Your dedication to your craft highlights the best of the Lone Star State.”
See the full honor from Gov. Abbott, here:
Watch Augie Meyers perform “(Hey Baby) Que Paso” with the Texas Tornados in 1990; followed by a 1975 performance of “Rains Came” by the Sir Douglas Quintet, recorded as part of Doug Sahm: Live from Austin, TX, here:
Watch Augie Meyers and Doug Sahm cover Charley Pride’s “Is Anybody Goin’ To San Antone,” here:
Listen to Ringo Starr’s 1983 cover of the Sir Douglas Quintet song “She’s About A Mover,” here:
