Inca rock - Definition and Overview

Rock and roll is a style of African American popular music which is renowned across the world, including in Peru. Beginning in the mid- to late 1950s, Peruvians began listening to performers like Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly and Bill Haley, who were popularized rockabilly in the United States. The first Peruvian rock bands appeared during this time; they included Los Stars, Conjunto Astoria, Los Alfiles, Los Incas Modernos, Los Zodiacs and Los Atomos.

In the mid-1960s, new trends like British merseybeat and American surf became popular, while a few Peruvian bands like Los Saicos built a loyal audience. Their music was a fusion of psychedelic rock, garage rock and surf; they were followed by bands like Los Yorks, Los Silvertons, The Belkings and Los Doltons, Los Shain, Traffic Sound and Los Jaguars.