Fans queued for miles in Avellaneda, Greater Buenos Aires, to pay respects to Carlos 'Indio' Solari, Argentina's beloved rock star. The line stretched over 7km as mourners sang, waved banners, and played music.
Hundreds of Thousands Attend Wake
On Sunday, hundreds of thousands attended the wake for Solari, who died at 77 from a stroke. His last concert in 2017 drew up to 400,000 fans, yet he remained virtually unknown outside Argentina and Uruguay.
Lyrical Depth and Cross-Generational Appeal
Solari's dense, cryptic lyrics with literary and political references inspired devotion across generations, especially among working-class youth. Songs like 'Ji ji ji' and 'La gran bestia pop' are ubiquitous at Argentine events.
Political and Cultural Significance
Solari, a self-identified Peronist, was denied a wake in congress by the far-right government. The ceremony in Peronist-governed Avellaneda drew comparisons to Diego Maradona's cultural stature.
Sociologist Pablo Alabarces noted Solari's music didn't travel due to its 'distinctly Argentine' poetic style, challenging cultural globalisation. Journalist Pablo Perantuono added that Solari's self-production and working-class image resonated locally but hindered international marketing.
Mourner Lorena Núñez crossed from Uruguay, calling Solari 'family.' Daniel González, a maintenance worker, said, 'This is unique.' The wake reflected Argentina's visceral passion for music, unmatched elsewhere.
