The Falklands/Malvinas War (1982) in Argentine Rock Songs

During the short war (April 2-June 14, 1982) between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the islands known as Malvinas by the former and the Falklands by the latter, Argentine rock music was given its best opportunity to flourish. The military dictatorship (1976-1983) that was ruling the country decided to ban all songs in English - after all, it was the language of "the enemy." Consequently, on many radio and TV stations there was an empty space that had previously broadcast rock and now needed to be filled with the same genre so as not to lose its audience. Furthermore, the regime decided to seek the support of the youth - who had been their target since the start of the dictatorship - and Argentine rock was conveniently branded "national rock." This chapter explores how censorship created an opportunity for local rock musicians, transforming the local rock scene by favoring its growth. It shows how rock musicians not only made the most of this opportunity, but also used it as a weapon against the regime that had thought it could count on them in their nationalistic campaign against the United Kingdom.