Charly García (AR)

About

Also known as: Carlos Alberto García, Carlos Alberto García Moreno, Charly Garcia, Charly Garcma

Called "the father of rock nacional", Charly García is the kind of figure whose fingerprints are all over Latin American rock. The Buenos Aires born singer, multi instrumentalist, composer and producer shaped Argentine music across decades, moving through folk rock, progressive rock, new wave, synth pop and funk without ever sounding like he was chasing trends. His lyrics hit hard too, often taking sharp aim at Argentine society and, notably, at the military dictatorship that defined so much of the country's history. His run of landmark records is staggering. He helped build the foundations of Argentine rock with Sui Generis in the early 70s, then pushed things further with supergroups La Máquina de Hacer Pájaros and Serú Girán. His solo trilogy of Yendo de la cama al living, Clics modernos and Piano bar is considered essential listening, and a second trilogy followed before a long stretch of chaos, reinvention and eventual return with Kill Gil and Random in 2017. He also picked up a Grammy Award for Musical Excellence in 2009.