Nov. 18, 1999, 11:18PM Houston Chronicle Legendary Texas musician Doug Sahm is found dead SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- Doug Sahm, 58, leader of the Sir Douglas Quintet and one of the principals of the Grammy-winning Texas Tornados, was found dead Thursday in Taos, N.M., apparently of natural causes. Sahm, a native of San Antonio, was discovered Thursday afternoon in a room at the Kachina Lodge, a Taos police spokesman said. An autopsy was ordered. "Musically speaking, this is the end of an era," Sahm's oldest son, Shawn, 34, told the San Antonio Express-News. "He went from sitting on Hank Williams' knee to being an English rock star to doing the Texas Tornados. From T-Bone Walker to Roky Erickson, he played it all." A regular performer on San Antonio radio stations before he was 10 years old, he was a steel guitar prodigy who also was proficient on fiddle, mandolin and guitar. Sahm's exploration of various musical styles included sitting in with Hank Williams in Austin and playing with teen groups such as the Pharaohs. "He was playing before I started to walk," said Augie Meyers, Sahm's musical partner for 35 years in various projects including the Quintet and the Tornados. "He left his mark in the world. The good Lord wanted to hear some Quintet and they weren't playing enough on the radio, I guess." Sir Douglas Quintet started charting hits in 1965 with the song She's About A Mover. The Texas Tornados were formed in 1989 with Sahm, Meyers, vocalist/guitarist Freddy Fender and accordionist Flaco Jimenez. Fender said Sahm was independent and knew how he wanted to perform his music. "He was a talented guitarist and he had songs that only he could sing good," Fender said. "He was one of the most talented guys I have ever seen. We all pray for him and hope he is in heaven with God." Sahm is survived by three children, sons Shawn and Shandon and daughter Dawn, and two grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are pending.