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Pinoy rock is a genre of music, specifically rock and roll produced in the Philippines or by Filipinos. Rock is a style of American music, invented in the 1940s and popularized in the followed decade. Artists like Elvis Presley, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Little Richard and the Everly Brothers were among the stars who brought rock across the world, including to the Philippines.
The first popular Filipino rock star was Bobby Gonzalez, whose major hit was "Hahabol-Habol". Eddie Mesa, a teen idol from the period, was known as the Elvis of the Philippines. Filipino rock bands were known as "combos", and they used non-traditional instruments like a floor-bass bongos, maracas and a gas tank. In the early 1960s, instrumental American and British bands like The Shadows and The Ventures became popular, as electric instruments and other new technology were added to the scene. Pinoy instrumental bands from this period included The Deltas, The Celtics, RJ & the Riots, The Technicolors, The Hi-Jacks and The Electromaniacs; these bands spawned the first Filipino singer-songwriters.
In 1963, the British Invasion brought bands like The Beatles to mainstream audiences across the worldwide. Their widespread popularity and their embrace of the counterculture injected the possibility of socio-political lyrics with mature comments on real life into popular music. Filipino bands imitated the British Invasion groups, spawning such acts Downbeats, Tilt Down Men, The Moonstrucks, The Dynasouls and Bits & Pieces. Other groups added a horn and brass section, including instruments like the trumpet, flute and saxophone; these included the Drop Outs, The Howlers, The Originals, The Houserockers, Clubmen and The Imperials.
Into the early 1970s, Pinoy rock was growing more nationalist and socio-political in nature, as well as using Tagalog more often. Performers included Freddie Aguilar, Asin, Florante, APO, Anakbayan, Juan de la Cruz Band and Banyuhay. OPM (Original Pinoy music) also became popular.
Pinoy rock bands include:
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