Died On This Date (March 11, 2011) Rita Guerrero / Lead Singer of Mexican Rock Group, Santa Sabina
themusicsover Rita Guerrero
DOB Unknown – March 11, 2011
Rita Guerrero was the lead singer of popular Mexican rock band, Santa Sabina. Co-formed by Guerrero in Mexico City in 1989, the band built a solid following thanks in part to their Gothic twist on progressive rock and jazz as well as Guerrero’s charismatic stage presence. During the late 80s, Guerrero moved from her home in Guadalajara to attend college in Mexico City. A theater student, she enlisted the help of a few local musicians to provide music for a play she had written. They quickly realized they had something special and became an actual band. Over the course of their run, they released seven albums including an MTV Latin Unplugged set. Santa Sabina went on hiatus in 2006 with Guerrero and fellow band mate, Leonel Perez continuing on as a chamber group, Ensamble Galileo. In January of 2010, Guerrero learned she had breast cancer. After a courageous year-long battle, Rita Guerrero succumbed to the cancer on March 11, 2011. She was 47.
What You Should Own
Mike Starr was the original bassist for Seattle grunge band, Alice In Chains. Morphed from Diamond Lie, a band made up of Starr, Jerry Cantrell, 
Herman Ernest was a respected New Orleans drummer who, over the course of his career appeared on countless records including those with the likes of Kermit Ruffins, Shemekia Copeland, Jeremy Davenport, and Dr. John. Ernest, who was also known as “Roscoe” to friends and fans, called his hard-hitting style of drumming, “diesel funk.” He spent many years playing with Dr. John – appearing 0n numerous albums over the past two decades as well as on stage as part of his Lower 911 Band. His last appearance with him was on December 30, 2010. Herman Ernest died on March 6, 2011 following a long battle with cancer. He was 59.
Rick Coonce is perhaps best remembered as a long time drummer for popular Los Angeles rock band, the Grass Roots. The Grass Roots sold millions of albums and charted several times on both sales and radio charts during the late ’60s and early ’70s. Records like “Lets Live For Today,” “Midnight Confessions,” and “Temptation Eyes” are considered staples from the era. Coonce provided the back beat for the band during their hit period of 1967 to 1971. After leaving the group in 1971, he moved to Canada where he continued to record and perform with other bands. Rick Coonce was 64 when he passed away on February 26, 2011. Cause of death was not immediately released.