Doug Sahm was the Austin
Music Scenes Merry Prankster

Nov. 6, 1941 -- Nov. 18, 1999

Doug Sahm lived in Austin clubs. A regular at Soap Creek Saloon, Antone's and of course the Hole in the Wall.

Another accessible Austin musician extraordinaire. A walking encyclopedia of rock riffs.

Doug led the San Antonio based Sir Douglas Quintet. They tried to pass as an English band but were soon found out. She's About a Mover is a rock classic and Mendocino is pure San Francisco, late sixties shtick.

He did his most memorable work solo and with the Texas Mavericks and Texas Tornados.

His solo debut album, Doug Sahm and Band, included Bob Dylan, Dr. John, David Bromberg and Flaco Jimenez. A lot of important people thought highly of Doug's musical acumen. The roster of all stars he played with throughout his career proves my point.

One of the best examples of his all-over-the-Texas-musical-map, is with the Texas Mavericks, Who Are These Masked Men? (1987). Doug, Alvin Crow, John X Reed, Speedy Sparks and Frosty. Another Sahm super group.

I saw the Texas Mavericks rock the Hole in the Wall and the level of musicianship and taste was impeccable. One of the best shows ever.

Try these classics – Sir Douglas Quintet Mendocino (1969), Border Wave (1981), Live Texas Tornado Tex Mex (1983) and the Austin favorite, Groover's Paradise (1974).

He would also hit the charts and win a Grammy award for The Last Real Texas Blues Band (1998).

He was the man behind the hybrid Tex Mex group, The Texas Tornados. Winning a Grammy award in 1990 for Say De San Luis.

I recommend Texas Tornados (1990), The Best Of Texas Tornados (1994), Zone Of Our Own (1991).

Sahm was special. He could talk until your ears melted. One of the most popular and beloved of Austin musicians.

Some things are sacred in Austin. Armadillo World Headquarters, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Clifford Antone and the irrepressible Doug Sahm. One of the most accomplished musicians to ever play a note in the Austin music scene.

We all miss Sahm Dog, the groover. Look and you will find his photo all over Austin. Like Stevie Ray, he's everywhere.

SIXTH STREET CLUBS
Maggie Mae’s :: Momo’s :: The Parish

WAREHOUSE & DOWNTOWN CLUBS
Antone’s :: La Zona Rosa :: Austin Music Hall :: Elephant Room :: Paramount Theatre

RED RIVER CLUBS
Stubb’s Waller Creek Ampitheatre :: Emo’s :: Beerland

UNIVERSITY CLUBS
Cactus Cafe :: Hole In The Wall

SOUTH AUSTIN CLUBS
Continental Club :: Threadgill’s :: Jovita’s :: Broken Spoke :: Saxon Pub :: Evangeline Cafe :: Artz Rib House :: Hill’s Cafe

EAST SIDE CLUBS
Victory Grill

AUSTIN ANGELS & HALLOWED GROUND
Stevie Ray Vaughan :: Townes Van Zandt :: Jesse Taylor :: Doug Sahm :: Keith Ferguson :: Don Walser :: Clifford Antone :: Soap Creek Saloon :: Liberty Lunch :: The Vulcan Gas Co. :: Armadillo World Headquarters :: Raul’s :: Austin Opera House

MORE
Austin City Limits :: Austin Record Stores :: Music Stores :: Austin Chronicle

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