Today (March 11) marks the official kick-off of the 30th anniversary of South by Southwest, but the massive media conference's major milestone will now be marked with sadness, as co-founder Louis Meyers has passed away.
Billboard confirmed rumours of Meyers' passing. He helped found the festival in 1987, on a team that also included Roland Swenson, Nick Barbaro, Louis Black, Joe Rae DiMenno and Linda Owen.
In 1994, Meyers gave up his shares of SXSW citing stress and exhaustion — two aspects of the festival that anyone who has attended can surely sympathize with.
After working with SXSW, Meyers had many other media ventures, including work with a music television channel and as head of the Folk Alliance International group.
He was also a musician who sat in with the likes of Tommy Ramone, Jello Biafra and Fastball, among many others.
Billboard confirmed rumours of Meyers' passing. He helped found the festival in 1987, on a team that also included Roland Swenson, Nick Barbaro, Louis Black, Joe Rae DiMenno and Linda Owen.
In 1994, Meyers gave up his shares of SXSW citing stress and exhaustion — two aspects of the festival that anyone who has attended can surely sympathize with.
After working with SXSW, Meyers had many other media ventures, including work with a music television channel and as head of the Folk Alliance International group.
He was also a musician who sat in with the likes of Tommy Ramone, Jello Biafra and Fastball, among many others.
