Herman "Roscoe" Ernest III was longtime sideman for Dr. John. Herman performed on almost every Dr. John release over the past two decades and played his final recording session for the upcoming release 'Nine Lives', a musical based on Dan Baum’s book of the same title.



The drummer also worked with such acts as Aaron Neville, Ramsey Lewis, Snooks Eaglin, Irma Thomas, Shemekia Copeland, Guitar Shorty, and Marcia Ball.



Herman Ernest appeared on the instructional video New Orleans Drumming alongside other pivotal Crescent City drummers Herlin Riley, Johnny Vidacovich, and Earl Palmer.



Factoid: Herman Ernest also played drums on 1983's 'The David "fathead" Newman Anthology', on song: Pledgin my Love (Aaron Neville).



Herman Ernest III died on Sunday, March 6, 2011. The drummer had battled cancer for several years and had been hospitalized a number of times.