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TUCSON - The news of Mexican-American music icon Jenni Rivera's death has hit Southern Arizona hard.

It was more than a year ago that Jenni Rivera last performed here in Tucson, but that hasn't stopped the emotional ripples from spreading across borders as well as throughout Tucson.

As word quickly spread that no one had survived the plane crash, a cry of sorrow and disbelief hit the airwaves.

"The reaction and the impact is huge just like when we lost Selena. I think it's basically the same impact," said Enrique Mayans, host of the popular Tucson Spanish-Radio show "La Caliente."

Mayans said his listeners were hit hard by the loss of this musical icon.

"First of all they don't believe it, second, they cry on the air," Mayans told News 4 Tucson, adding: "People really love her."

Listeners called in to express their sorrow for a woman who stood for strength throughout the Hisapnic community.

"Women identify with her and wanted to be just like her," Mayans said.

An outpouring of emotion spilled over the Internet, as Tucsonans expressed their sadness as so many fans paid tribute in their own way to Jenni Rivera.

"We lost a singer but a legend has been born," Mayans said.