Rock and roll is a style of popular African American music, known throughout the world. Chile's most famous rock band is undoubtedly La Ley. The roots of Chilean rock go back to La Nueva Ola Chilena, which refers to the stars of the 1950s and 1960s. These included Alan y sus Bates , Los Rockets , Buddy Richard , Jose Alfredo Fuentes and Los Ramblers . After this period, Chilean rock declined until the 1980s, when the scene became more closely associated with politics, especially opposition to Augusto Pinochet. The most well-known band from this period was Los Prisioneros.

More modern bands include La Ley, Lucybell , Los Tres, Tiro de Gracia , Sinergia , Los Bunkers , Los Prisioneros, Dracma , Santo Barrio , Javiera Parra y los Imposibles , Mamma Soul , Godwana , Chancho en Piedra and Los Tetas .

Since the 1970s, Chile has had a thriving progressive rock scene that includes such bands as Congreso and Los Jaivas.