It’s been one month since Argentine rock icon Carlos Indio Solari passed away on June 5. His death sparked nationwide mourning, with thousands turning to social media to express their deep sorrow, and a funeral that became one of the biggest public memorials in local history.
Although Solari had been at the helm of the group Los Fundamentalistas del Aire Acondicionado since 2004, it was his previous place as frontman for the band Patricio Rey y sus Redonditos de Ricota (1976-2001) that cemented his standing in Argentine culture.
Practically unknown beyond the Argentine borders, the “Redonditos,” as they’re colloquially called, remain one of the country’s most influential and beloved rock bands. Their cult status extends far beyond music and into the realm of collective identity, with fans quoting their lyrics as personal mantras and tattooing their logos and imagery.
It all started, though, with the music.
Led by singer and lyricist Indio Solari, along with guitarist Skay Beilinson, the band combined rock, blues, post-punk, and psychedelic influences with great melodies and enigmatic verses full of political, social, and existential references.
