SXSW co-founder has passed away

In a stroke of tragic irony, news of SXSW co-founder Louis Meyers' untimely passing has arrived just as the 2016 edition of the week-long festival opens in Austin, Texas.

Meyers, along with a team of four others, helped to establish the festival in 1987 and later sold his stake in the organization in 1994 as a result of feeling too much stress from being responsible for handling the festival's bookings.

Louis Meyers was also an active musician, playing the banjo and producing, performing and recording with a variety of bands. He later went on to start his own music channel.

The cause of his death remains unknown.

SXSW is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and is ongoing from March 11 until March 20.