Carlos Alberto García Moreno, better known by his stage name Charly García, is an Argentine singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, composer and record producer, considered one of the most important and avant-garde figures of Argentine and Latin American music. Named "the father of rock nacional", García is widely acclaimed for his recording work, both in his multiple groups and as a soloist, for the complexity of his music compositions, covering genres like folk rock, progressive rock, symphonic rock, jazz, new wave, pop rock, funk rock, and synth-pop. His lyrics are known for being transgressive and critical towards modern Argentine society, especially during the era of the military dictatorship, and for his rebellious and extravagant personality, which has drawn significant media attention over the years.
Portrait of García by Alejandro Kuropatwa, 1989
Charly García in a 1989 photograph by Alejandro Kuropatwa
Charly García and former Chief of government of Buenos Aires Mauricio Macri, at Teatro Colón in 2013
Charly García performing at his 70th birthday concert in 2021
The music of Argentina includes a variety of traditional, classical, and popular genres. According to the Harvard Dictionary of Music, Argentina also "has one of the richest art music traditions and perhaps the most active contemporary musical life.
Atahualpa Yupanqui, 1934
Ariel Ramírez (at piano), President of the Argentine Society of Authors and Composers, with eminent folklore vocalist Mercedes Sosa, 1972
Musician and folklorist Jorge Cafrune was killed in a hit-and-run shortly after defying the military dictatorship.
A quena, a traditional Andean instrument