Homero Guerrero was a Mexican musician, producer, and cultural manager who was best known as the founder and leader of Los Cadetes de Linares, a norteño band that specialized in corridos; traditional ballad-style songs about social causes, criminals or heroes in the northern parts of Mexico. He was also a pioneer and promoter of the alternative rock scene in the Dominican Republic, where he created and produced several musical events and projects. He was widely respected and admired by his peers and fans for his talent, dedication, and generosity. However, his life was cut short in a fatal car crash on February 19, 1982, leaving behind a legacy of music and a mourning artistic community.
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The Rise of Los Cadetes de Linares
Homero Guerrero was born in 1933 in Linares, Nuevo León, a town known for its musical tradition and folklore. He grew up in a humble family and had a passion for music since he was a child. His dream was to attend a military academy, but due to his family’s financial problems, he decided to devote himself to music instead. He learned to play the bajo sexto, a 12-string guitar, and started singing at family parties, festivals, schools, and in the main square of Linares. He formed his first band in 1960 and named it Los Cadetes de Linares, in honor of his childhood aspiration. He later added an accordionist, Adan Moreno, and they began playing around Linares and southern Texas. In 1967, Moreno left the band and was replaced by Samuel Zapata, who recorded the first singles with Guerrero for Discos del Valle, a record company from Houston. However, Zapata also left the group soon after, and Guerrero invited Candelario Villareal to join him as the third accordionist. They performed locally in Monterrey, Linares, and Texas, but they did not achieve much success.
The turning point for Los Cadetes de Linares came in 1974, when Guerrero met Lupe Tijerina, a young and talented accordionist who had played with several norteño bands. Guerrero was impressed by Tijerina’s style and invited him to join his band. Tijerina accepted and brought with him a new repertoire of songs, including corridos composed by himself. They recorded their first album together, which included the hit song “Los Dos Amigos”, a corrido about two friends who become enemies over a woman. The song was a huge success and catapulted Los Cadetes de Linares to fame and popularity. They soon became one of the most influential and respected norteño bands in Mexico and the United States, especially among the Mexican-American community. They recorded more than 30 albums and had many hits, such as “Dos Coronas a mi Madre”, “Las Tres Tumbas”, “Pueblito”, “Regalo de Reyes”, and “Polvo Maldito”. They also appeared in various classic Mexican films and made many appearances on nationally syndicated programs in Mexico and the United States. They were known for their distinctive sound, their authentic lyrics, and their charismatic stage presence.
The Death of Homero Guerrero
On February 19, 1982, Homero Guerrero was driving from Monterrey to Reynosa, a border city in Tamaulipas, where he had a scheduled performance with Los Cadetes de Linares. He was accompanied by his wife, his brother-in-law, and his driver. According to the news site We Are Breaking News, Guerrero was driving at a high speed and lost control of his vehicle, which crashed into a truck and then into a tree. Guerrero died instantly, while his companions suffered serious injuries. His funeral was attended by thousands of people, who paid tribute to him with flowers, songs, and tears. His death was a shock and a tragedy for the music world and his family. He left behind a wife, two daughters, and three brothers, who were not musically involved at the time of his death.
The Legacy of Homero Guerrero
After Guerrero’s death, Rosendo Cantu took his place in Los Cadetes de Linares, alongside Lupe Tijerina. They continued to perform and record, and had success with songs such as “Adiós Amigo Del Alma”, a bolero dedicated to Guerrero. However, the band eventually broke up, and Cantu and Tijerina formed their own bands, both claiming to be the authentic Cadetes de Linares. This led to legal disputes and confusion among the fans. The trademark of Los Cadetes de Linares was later sold to Zamic Records, a record label from Houston, which allowed many other bands to use the name. However, none of them could match the originality and quality of the band led by Homero Guerrero and Lupe Tijerina.
Homero Guerrero was a legend of norteño music and a pioneer of alternative rock in the Dominican Republic. He was a versatile and talented musician, producer, and cultural manager, who left a mark on the history of music. His songs and corridos are still played and enjoyed by millions of people, who remember him with admiration and respect. He was a cadet of Linares, a friend of the people, and a hero of the music.
