ARGENTINIAN ROCK: A NATIONAL PASSION

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the heroin addiction. He brought with him a post-punk, reggae sound literally unheard of in Argentina, and formed the band Sumo. The lyrics are mostly in English, but also because their popularity increased after Luca’s death in 1987, and have a big influence on actual rock. After Luca passed, the bland split into two: Divididos and Las Pelotas.

Argentine Democracy

In 1980 friends who were captivated by the wave of US and UK punk formed the band Los Violadores. Miguel Abuelo, a founding figure of Argentine rock in the 60s, would return after a decade in Europe and form Los Abuelos de la Nada, which happened to lead a young man called Andres Calamaro.

In heavy metal, Pappo founded his new band Riff and newcomers V8 and La Torre would emerge. On the other hand, Charly García and Luis Alberto Spinetta started on their solo careers. Moris returned from his period in Spain.

In 1983, the dictatorship was finally over, and with the emergence of democracy came the true explosion of Rock Nacional. Songs which had been repressed were released during this time:"Tiempos Dificiles" by Fito Páez , "Maribel se Durmió" by Luis Alberto Spinetta, "Sólo le pido a Dios" by León Gieco and "Los dinosaurios" by Charly García. Rock became synonymous with the freedom and celebration of democracy.

The iconic Argentine band Los Fabulosos Cadillac formed in 1983, and won over Latin American audiences until 2001. Lead singer Vicentico launched a solo career after his band broke up.

And 1984 was the year of female rock: Patricia Sosa and her heavy rock band La Torre were voted best band of the year and "Solo quiero Rock and Roll" best single.

Rata Blanca, a heavy metal band formed in 1987 , also conquered the Spanish speaking world, as did Charly García, Fito Páez, and now solo artist Miguel Mateos.

In 1988 began, with the most important Argentine bands (Soda Stereo, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Los Enanitos Verdes, Rata Blanca, Charly García, Andres Calamaro, Miguel Mateos, Sumo, Virus) on constant tour of Latin America, Europe, the globalization of Argentine rock and pop was complete.

Soda Stereo was one of the most successful and influential rock band in Spanish ever. They were also the first Spanish-language band to use all aspects of their popularity to the fullest. With their first album, in 1984, they reached national success with ironic lyrics, and a sound that combined pop and reggae.

1990−1998: The Contemporary Period

The biggest two stars were Charly García who was one of the central figures of rock national during the 1970s and ’80s and Luis Alberto Spinetta. Garcia enjoyed a prolific 1980s with many of his albums turning into classics.

Fito Páez’s pop career continued to take-off in the early 1990s. In 1992 he released El Amor después del Amor, becoming the best-selling Argentine rock album. With the album Paez was confirmed an international pop star.

1992 was the year of bands like Los Auténticos Decadentes, who had a big hit in 1990 with "Loco de tu forma de ser ", and Los Pericos. The early ’90s were also the formative years of a group that would have an impact towards the new millennium: Bersuit Vergarabat.

“Rollinga” rock was on the up. On the one hand were the 1980s bands that by the ’90s played the suburban rock sound: Redonditos de Ricota, Divididos, Las Pelotas. They were joined by two bands that would define suburban in the late ’90s as well: Los Piojos and La Renga. La Renga is also considered one of the Rolinga groups like Los Ratones Paranoicos and Viejas Locas.

1998: Modern Argentine Rock

The late 1990s charts were dominated by the success of bands like Los Piojos, La Renga, Divididos, Redonditos de Ricota, Las Pelotas, Los Ratones Paranoicos, La Mancha de Rolando, Caballeros de la Quema, and many more suburban rock bands.

On the other hand, the likes of Divididos, Los Piojos, and Redonditos become influential in Argentine rock and popular on an international level.

In tropical or fusion rock, Bersuit Vergarabat took the band to the top, and to tours of the Americas and