Remembering those we recently lost
Richard Ortiz planted a tree in their memory
Key moments and achievements from Jon Graham's life.
Jon was born
· Austin, Texas, USA
Band Formation
After growing up in the border towns of Quemado, Eagle Pass, and Del Rio, Graham moved to Austin at age eighteen to attend the University of Texas. In 1979, he replaced Eddie Munoz in The Skunks, helping them become the first Austin punk act to tour nationally. The group broke new ground by opening for legendary acts like The Police and The Ramones.
Band Formation
After growing up in the border towns of Quemado, Eagle Pass, and Del Rio, Graham moved to Austin at age eighteen to attend the University of Texas. In 1979, he replaced Eddie Munoz in The Skunks, helping them become the first Austin punk act to tour nationally. The group broke new ground by opening for legendary acts like The Police and The Ramones.
Band Formation
Graham joined forces with Alejandro and Javier Escovedo to form the True Believers in the mid-1980s. The band became instrumental in pioneering the alternative country and cowpunk genres. This era cemented his reputation as a foundational architect of the modern Austin music sound.
Band Formation
Graham joined forces with Alejandro and Javier Escovedo to form the True Believers in the mid-1980s. The band became instrumental in pioneering the alternative country and cowpunk genres. This era cemented his reputation as a foundational architect of the modern Austin music sound.
Benefit Concert
When Graham's family health insurance company went bankrupt, they faced immense medical bills for his son William, who was diagnosed with Legg-Perthes disease. The Austin music community rallied around the family in 2005 by organizing massive benefit concerts. This outpouring of support demonstrated the deep loyalty Graham had cultivated throughout his decades in the city.
Benefit Concert
When Graham's family health insurance company went bankrupt, they faced immense medical bills for his son William, who was diagnosed with Legg-Perthes disease. The Austin music community rallied around the family in 2005 by organizing massive benefit concerts. This outpouring of support demonstrated the deep loyalty Graham had cultivated throughout his decades in the city.
Publication
Revealing a tender side beneath his gritty exterior, Graham began creating whimsical drawings and paintings of bears in 2010. These visual artworks served as a creative outlet and a way to process the world around him. He eventually compiled and published these pieces in a collection titled Love Notes From the Bear.
Publication
Revealing a tender side beneath his gritty exterior, Graham began creating whimsical drawings and paintings of bears in 2010. These visual artworks served as a creative outlet and a way to process the world around him. He eventually compiled and published these pieces in a collection titled Love Notes From the Bear.
Medical Emergency
Following a performance in Chicago, Graham suffered a severe cardiac arrest and was clinically dead for several minutes. He survived the ordeal, treating the subsequent years as a philosophical bonus round. This near-death experience transformed his outlook, prompting him to urge others to stop worrying about death and pay attention to the present day.
Medical Emergency
Following a performance in Chicago, Graham suffered a severe cardiac arrest and was clinically dead for several minutes. He survived the ordeal, treating the subsequent years as a philosophical bonus round. This near-death experience transformed his outlook, prompting him to urge others to stop worrying about death and pay attention to the present day.
Jon Graham passed away
