Los Prisioneros

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Los Prisioneros
Origin San Miguel, Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile
Genres Punk rock, rock en español, new wave, techno, synthpop, post-punk, rockabilly, reggae
Years active 1979–1991, 2001–2006
Labels Fusión, EMI-Odeon, Capitol, Warner Music
Associated acts Banda Travesia, Los Updates, Profetas y Frenéticos, Los Tres, "Banda 69", "Jardín Secreto", "Los Pettinellis", Soda Stereo
Past members

Los Prisioneros ("the prisoners") were a Chilean rock / pop band formed in San Miguel, Santiago, Chile in 1979.[1] They are considered one of the most important Chilean bands,[2] and arguably the strongest musical influences that Chile has made to Latin American music.[3] In addition, they are considered by Latin American media and musicians pioneers of Rock en español (Rock in Spanish) and the band with strongest socio-political impact in Chile.[4] Their roots date back to March 1979, when their core members entered high school. From their beginnings in 1983 at the Festival de la Canción del Colegio Miguel León Prado (Miguel Leon Prado High School Song festival) to their first limited release album in Chile under the record label "Fusión Producciones",[5] they struggled to make themselves known until they were able to sign with EMI Records in 1985, re-releasing their first album on LP record and cassette. From that point on, they reached mainstream success in Chile, then in Peru.[6] Los Prisioneros created a simple Punk sound with a mix of Nueva ola, Techno, Synthpop, and Reggae.[7]

Musically, Los Prisioneros marked the beginning of a new musical era in Chile, leaving behind the 1960s folk-inspired music of Víctor Jara and Violeta Parra, and starting the new era of Nuevo Pop Chileno (New Chilean Pop).[8] Their legacy has been recognised by bands such as Glup!, Javiera y Los Imposibles, Lucybell, Los Tetas and La Ley, who together made the tribute album Tributo a Los Prisioneros.[9] They made themselves known for having controversial songs that criticized socio-economic structures, education, economic policies, as well as societal attitudes of Chile and Latin America.[10] Their songs were used by Chilean young people to protest the military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet.[11] Because of this, Chilean mainstream media banned the group's music between 1985 and 1990, but their music continued to spread in Chile, aided in part by word of mouth and by shared homemade cassette copies.[12] Many Los Prisoneros compositions are among the most important and musically influential songs of Latin America, and Rock en español, particularly the songs "We Are Sudamerican Rockers" and Tren al Sur, and especially El Baile De Los Que Sobran.

The band went through several cast configurations and through several phases and cycles of playing together, dissolving and later reuniting.[13] In their first phase, 1983 to 1991, Los Prisioneros released four albums; three of them are included in the fifty best Chilean records according to Rolling Stone's Los 50 mejores discos chilenos según Rolling Stone. Placing third is La Voz De Los '80, ninth is Corazones and 15th is Pateando Piedras.[14] In early 1990, when Claudio Narea left the band, two new members were added: Robert Rodriguez, guitarist and vocalist from Arequipa, Peru (the only non-Chilean member of the band)[15] and Cecilia Aguayo (keyboard and chorus). By the end of 1991, they decided to dissolve resulting in a 10-year hiatus.[16]

In 2001, their second phase began with a hits album titled Antologia, Su Historia, Y Sus Exitos, and a reunion concert at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos performing for a total of almost 150,000 people (a feat which no other Chilean band has ever accomplished).[17] In 2003, after they recorded their album titled Los Prisioneros, Jorge González and Claudio Narea had a falling out, resulting in Narea bitterly leaving the band. González and Tapia continued performing, and recorded a cover album titled Los Prisioneros En Las Raras Tocatas Nuevas De la Rock & Pop(The Prisoners In The Strange New Playings of Rock & Pop) with Alvaro Henríquez from Los Tres band. In 2004, the band recorded Manzana (Apple) with new members Sergio "Coty" Badilla and Gonzalo Yáñez; and they go on tour of Canada, The United States, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, and Chile. On February 18, 2006, in Caracas, Venezuela the band performed their last concert. Jorge González moved to Mexico, leaving Tapia and Badilla in Chile. Although they're no longer active, their music continues to be relevant and popular in Latin America.[18]


Formation and early years[edit]

In 1979, songwriter Jorge González (bass, lead vocals), Miguel Tapia (drums, backing vocals) and Claudio Narea (guitar, backing vocals), met during their first year of High school or Secondary Education as it is known in Chile. They attended The «Liceo Number 6 Miguel León Prado»(Miguel Leon Prado High School number 6) located in San Miguel, Santiago de Chile. Their high school has since been renamed Liceo Andres Bello. In 1980, Jorge and Claudio, along with brothers Rodrigo and Alvaro Beltran, formed the band "The Pseudopillos" (the Pseudo-thieves). The group created humorous songs a cappella (mostly by Jorge and Claudio), using everyday objects as percussion.[19]

Mural in San Miguel in tribute to Los Prisioneros.

Simultaneously, Jorge had a band with Miguel, where they would pretend to be John Lennon and Paul McCartney from The Beatles. After watching them play; Narea nicknamed them "Los Vinchukas"."Vinchukas" are small insects of northern Chile; this nickname inferred that the Jorge and Miguel were «The Chilean Beatles». As they all got to know each other, they eventually invited Narea to join the band .[20] Shortly after Alvaro Beltran joined on guitar, and Miguel Tapia, who had received a drum set as a gift from one of his sisters, took over the drums. .[21]

The quartet made its live debut on May 14, 1982 at their High School and had moderate success. At the end of 1982 Jorge and Miguel wanted to buy a bass drum pedal, but Claudio and Alvaro disagreed with them. Rodrigo, who was not part of the band, intervened causing the dissolution of Los Vinchukas and Los Pseudopillos a few days after graduating high school.[22] Gonzalez and Tapia continued playing together, but Claudio didn't speak to them for two or three months while working to raise money for college. Rodrigo, who had reconciled with Jorge and Miguel, convinced Claudio to return to the band. At this critical phase, the band decided to use a brand new name, this time seriously. First they chose Los Criminales ("the Criminals") reflecting their views as being outsiders, but Miguel suggested the name Los Prisioneros reflecting more accurately their reality in the authoritarian repressed Chile of the 1980s . The others in the band liked the name, and on July 1, 1983: The Band debuted with the name Los Prisioneros at Festival de la Canción del Colegio Miguel León Prado(Miguel Leon Prado High School Song festival) At that time the band's casting had: Jorge González as (voice and bass), Claudio Narea on the (guitar) and Miguel Tapia doing the (Percussion, second voice and chorus) That same year, Jorge González entered the University of Chile School of Arts, where he met several people whom -although unknown at the time- would become stars of the "Nuevo Pop Chileno" (New Chilean Pop). Singers such as Igor Rodríguez —who would eventually become a member of the Band Aparato (Strange Mechanism Band)— and future members of Los Prisioneros Robert Rodríguez and Carlos Fonseca with whom he stablished an instant friendship. It wasn't long before Jorge Gonzalez y Carlos Fonseca dropped out of the University. Shortly Afterwards, Jorge González began to work at the Fonseca's family business, while Carlos Fonseca went out looking for new talent. It wasn't long before Jorge asks Carlos Fonseca to be the manager of the band.[19]

"...We ended up third out of three, and they even tried to charge us admission to see the rest of the show. In any case, when we got there to rehearse, and we thought we were so cool, because we were real, with songs which were unknown but were our own. The others only did versions of already famous People. I remember that we performed as the opening number."[19]

In 1983 Claudio Narea also entered the USACH to study Engineering. There Narea also met Igor Rodriguez (Aparato Raro), and Robert Rodriguez (who would eventually become the lead of Banda 69). It wasn't long before Claudio Narea drops out of college as well (none of them had expected to do that) Narea and Gonzalez decided to continue playing in the band. While Carlos Fonseca focused on his radio program at "Radio Beethoven" (a Chilean Radio station that played only classical music). Fonseca was planning to make a special year-end show with emerging Chilean talents. Jorge brought a song he recorded in a dual cassette radio at home, and also the live performance of the band at their school.[19]

Throuroughly amazed after hearing the performances; Carlos convinced his father —Mario Fonseca— that the band had projection and future, and he in turn decided to invest in the band. At a later date, Jorge Gonzalez then introduced Narea and Tapia to Fonseca. When Carlos saw that Claudio was not a guitar virtuoso, he talked with Jorge and Miguel about replacing him, however, Gonzalez and Tapia refused to replace Narea because; as Jorge Said:[23]

"Los Prisioneros, were the three of them together" [24]

Carlos became the manager of the group and got them to record their first demos (which he would later play in his radio show, Fusión Contemporánea ("Contemporary fusion")) in late 1983 he got them to play around Santiago, Chile. Carlos also wrote an article about the band in the Dinners Club World magazine.[25]

Beginnings and La Voz De Los '80 Album[edit]

Main article: La voz de los '80

On December 13, 1984: their first album titled La voz de los '80 (The Voice of the 80's) was released under the label "Fusion", which was property of the Fonseca Family. The album hardly received any radio airplay, but became emblematic in the Chilean music scene later on. During that time, Chilean Radio and Television mostly favored Argentinian Artists, so their exposure was limited to "Radio Galaxia", Sábado Gigante, "Canal 11" (Chilean TV Station). They also played at the "Sexta Teleton"(the Sixth Telethon) and they received their first censorship while they were performing the first single of their album "La Voz De Los '80". According to Claudio Narea the Televisión Nacional de Chile(Chilean National Television), at the time was controlled by the Military Government, which cut the teleton signal and broadcast commercials instead of their performance.[citation needed] It was then that the Chilean Military Government singled them out as potentially dangerous to the stability of the Regime of Augusto Pinochet During August 1985, they signed a contract deal with EMI. In October of that year, their album was re-released in all of Chile and they sold between 100,000 and 105,000 copies; placing them among the most popular and best selling albums in Chile. According to the Chilean Magazine Vea, the band's Song "Sexo" was the most played by Chilean radio. EMI records would edit all their albums until 2001.[citation needed]

Commercial success and Pateando Piedras Album[edit]

Main article: Pateando piedras

On September 15, 1986 their second studio album titled Pateando piedras was released under the EMI label, . Highlights from this album are "¿Por qué no se van?", "Muevan las industrias" and especially "El Baile de los que sobran" considered, a classic of the genre, remembered in much of Latin America, almost worth the whole album as a rock anthem.

"...Under our shoes, mud plus concrete, The future is nothing like what was promised during those twelve games (referencing grades 1 thru 12 of education).Others learned secrets we weren't told. Others were truly given that thing we call education. They asked us for effort, They asked us for dedication And for what?! So that we could end up dancing and kicking stones!...English translation of Baile De Los Que Sobran"(Dance Of The Ones Left Behind.)

The album sold five thousand copies in the first ten days of release. A first by a young band in Chile, and in two months and two days after the album's release it achieved platinum status. Two months after the launch of its second album in November 1986, the band played at Estadio Chile in front of eleven thousand people. They were considered "The hope in Viña" by the public at the National Stadium Chile. At the International Song Festival of Vina del Mar, 1987, the band was not in the official program of the Festival of Viña del Mar , something that baffled fans and the media. instead other groups such as: 24 Upa!, plus Cinema, plus Argentine rock group Soda Stereo, GIT the latter band being the most popular at the event. The trio from San Miguel expressed their rejection of Soda Stereo during interviews.

In November 1986 they were invited to perform at the international Rock Festival of Montevideo in Uruguay where they shared stage with Soda Stereo, Fito Paez, GIT, Sumo, among others. The band released their albums in that country but with little success so they never went back. In March 1987 were presented at the Chateau Rock Festival at Estadio Cordoba and Buenos Aires Works, Argentina, it seemed only half the audience liked them, while Argentine media band just asked questions about Pinochet. It was a completely different story in Peru where the group was a success, they had three songs in the top ten, «El baile de los que sobran» took first place for six consecutive weeks. They achieved similar success in Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia.

La Cultura de la Basura Album and support of The "NO" Campaign[edit]

La cultura de la basura(Culture of Garbage Album)

record jacket from la cultura de la basura los prisioneros (the trash culture)

In October 1987 they started recording their third album La cultura de la basura(Culture of Garbage or Junk Culture) Jorge Gonzalez promised the other band members they would all compose together. As it turned out Gonzalez composed by himself while Narea and Tapia composed 4 songs together "Somos solo ruido"(We Are Only Noise), "Algo Tan Moderno"(Something So Modern) "El Vals"(The Waltz) and "Lo estamos pasando muy bien"(We Are Having A Good Time). During those sessions began the first disagreements within band. Lyon Caco could not stand Jorge's apathy, and left the recording sessions. Thus leaving the job to his assistant Antonio Gildemeister, who was just a rookie. He was left to make the recordings and mixing, so the sound is dirty. Caco later would say that the disk was very messy and 30 not properly filled.31 The album was released on December 3 of that year. They sold 10 000 copies in advance sales, 24 but did not surpass the success of Pateando piedras, being only able to sell 70 000 copies, 5 .This was considered by Media critics as an artistic and commercial failure of the band, Ironically, it was still a double platinum. For Gonzales, the disc was neither a commercial, nor an artistic failure of the band; although, he considered it to be a low point for the band. Claudio, Fonseca, and Miguel blamed Jorge, saying that he got too relaxed, because he was not the only one composing as it had been in the past.

Fonseca liked the song "Lo Estamos Pasando Muy Bien" (We Are having A Good Time) but he believed the other songs by Narea were similar to «Mostrar La Hilacha»(Showing Loose Thread) one Narea's songs. He added a new song, which opens the album, titled "We are Sudamerican rockers" . This version of the album was released only in Chile. Today, it is considered by some the best album of the band (in the original edition) according to Juan Marquez of El Mercurio.

Gonzalez and Fonseca had a heated argument over the choice of first single, Que No Destrocen Tu Vida (Don't Let Them Destroy Your Life), A song about parents meddling in the lives of their sons. The song was probably inspired by Claudio's struggles with his parents meddling. Gonzalez and Fonseca disagreed over which song was appropriate for Chilean Radio. Fonseca wanted "Maldito Sudaca" (Damn South American) as the single; the song was about the racist attitudes of Spaniards toward South Americans; "Sudaca" is a racial Slur used by Spaniards, which infers people from South America, as being inferior. In the end "Que No Destrocen Tu Vida" was chosen as the single, while Maldito Sudaca became much more popular and in Chile and Latin America

On March 28, 1988, Los Prisioneros called a press conference to explain the promotional tour for ""Culture Of Garbage"": 40 dates were given from Arica, Chile's northernmost city to Punta Arenas, Chile's southernmost city. The tour later would also include other South American countries and Mexico. At the end of the press conference; Cristián Rodríguez —a former representative of the Independent Record Label fusion who was invited by Miguel Tapia— asked about the last question on the plebiscite/Referendum coming up in October of that year. Jorge Gonzalez responded immediately and without hesitation:

«...In the upcoming plebiscite we will vote NO (En el plebiscito votaremos que No)»[19]

This was a strong public statement against the Dictator of Chile Augusto Pinochet, and it caused much controversy. It resulted that out of the 40 scheduled dates only 7 were possible without censorship; just because of their public statement in support of The No Campaign.

Here the reference of "El Plebiscito" Consisted of 2 choices (Yes) to continue with the Dictatorial Government of Augusto Pinochet or (NO) meaning to convocate national elections to choose a new president. This Political Referendum battle is known as the "NO" Campaign versus the "Yes" Campaign. The "NO" Campaign being the most popular and the victorious one; colloquially referred to in Chile simply as "El No"(The No).[26]

After the plebiscite, the band returned to Argentina to participate in the commemoration of the 40 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the concert of Amnesty International, which had sought to have the concert in Chile, but was not able to due Pinochet's opposition. On October 14, 1988 in the World Cup Stadium in Mendoza: Los Prisioneros shared the stage with Sting, Peter Gabriel, Tracy Chapman, Bruce Springsteen, Youssou N'Dour, The Mendozino group Markama and Chilean Group Inti Illimani, performing together the song "Get Up, Stand Up" by Bob Marley, 42 to an audience between 10,000 and 18,000 Chileans and Argentians.

Chilean people were happy to be outside their country. They felt liberated. But the experience was strange because we were not too comfortable in Argentina. There was always this tension between Argentians and Chileans. We did not leave with a pleasant memory.[19]

They started their tour in Colombia, Venezuela and Mexico Colombia being the country where they had they greatest impact achieved. They sustained Three consecutive tours in September and November 1988 and April all in Colombia. The song "Pa pa pa" was the top seller in Bogota, according to Mario Ruiz, manager of marketing for the Latin market EMI at the time, said the group Chile managed to open the Colombian market for Spanish rock.

After the tour was canceled in Venezuela, they went to Mexico, where they were a virtually unknown band with little exposure in the country and the band's songs "¿Quien Mató a Marilyn?"(who killed Marilyn), "La voz de los 80"(the Voice of the 80's) and "Muevan Las Industrias"(Shake The Industries) were mainly played in stations which were not commercial. Soon after they reached the Mexico Claudio came down with a case of hepatitis and had to return to Chile to rest, and so the band suspended their promotional tour that in that country.

First hiatus (1990-2000)[edit]

Narea's output, Corazones Album, Break up and Greatest Hits Album[edit]

In June 1989, Jorge Gonzalez and Carlos Fonseca traveled to Los Angeles, USA, to record what would become the band's fourth album Corazones produced by the Argentinian Gustavo Santaolalla. This was the first album in which Jorge was not also the producer; all other previous albums were produced almost exclusively by him. Narea and Tapia thought that they would participate composing like they did in the album The Culture of Garbage. They composed 3 songs; however the songs by Narea and Tapia were left out of the album. The reason for this —Carlos Fonseca stated— was that according to the law Jorge González was the composer of the group; and because Tapia could not travel due to problems with his visa. The new album was a departure of what they had done in the past. It had a new sound: with Electronic music dominating the album; and with keyboard as the main instrument. In those days —the partnership of Jorge and Claudio was ending— not just professionally (Jorge was inclined to synthpop; and Narea to rock and roll and blues from the 50 and 60) but personally as well. In February 1989 Claudio found love letters for his wife (Claudia Carvajal) written by his best friend and band leader Jorge Gonzalez. A whole year passed before Narea's decision to leave the band. After Narea's wife returned to him following a brief affair with Jorge Gonzalez.[27] The Songs from the Album Corazones(Hearts) are mostly about romanticism, but also classism and male shovenism. Claudio attributed Gonzalez's songs as being inspired by the affair with his wife. Finally in January 1990 Claudio bitterly decided to withdraw from the band. When the album was unveiled in May of that year Claudio Narea stated:

«...I decided to leave because I did not feel comfortable, to say the least. Everything was done for the approval and liking of Jorge, who for too long never considered at all my opinions nor those of Miguel's. It is time to walk away from lies. The Prisoners have been sham for a while. Only in the beginning, and shortly after Pateando Piedras, we were authentic —but after that— things began to change...»"[28]

In 1990 the victory of the NO campaign, was ratified ending the Chilean military regime of Pinochet. Their albums were completely re-released in remastered Compact Disc formats, once Chile was no longer under a military regime. There was also talk of a new album and the departure of Claudio Narea. In an interview with Katherine Salosny, Jorge said he felt bad about the departure of Claudio Narea. The ""Agenda Extra Jóvenes"" featured the album's first single "Tren al sur" and premiered the Video clip 17 of the Album. Later that year, Cecilia Aguayo (ex The Cleopatras) joined the group, Jorge told them that she was the newest member of Los Prisioneros, but she could not play any instrument, yet she left her medicine studies to devote herself to learn keyboard on a Casio Keyboard. She Rehearsed every day in her house and when her friends came to visit her, and asked why she always played Prisioneros songs, she responded because I really like them-Jorge told her not to tell anyone until she was officially introduced as a member of the group.

It took Eight months after its launch for the album Corazones to become successful; the album managed to sell 180 000 copies; and sold triple platinum in Chile. The Day after the new lineup debuted at the Festival of Viña del Mar Fonseca left his position as Manager. The album Corazones was their most praised work and the most critically acclaimed, it is believed that had Los Prisioneros began their group as they were at that time; they would have been able to win trophies, awards and thousands in sales, even if in the end they would had lost their historic significance. In Argentina, where prisoners were never very popular, Jorge Gonzalez was paid author's rights, because in places like Córdoba and Rosario, the album was a success. They also were able to sign with Capitol Records to release Corazones in The United States.

On October 24, 1990 George and Michael announce the dissolution of the group, 22 and released a video and album titled "Los Prisioneros: Grandes Éxitos", which sold over 120,000 copies in Chile and 54,000 outside of Chile. They started their farewell tour which ended in the National Stadium Chile, At the end of the performance people started screaming - "Narea, Narea, Narea" - Jorge González 17 responded by mocking the new band of former his teammate, referring to them as "Proxenetas y Flemáticos" but the public became increasingly insistent with "Narea, Narea, Narea", Jorge González could not bear it, he threw his guitar down and ran into the dressing rooms crying. The last concert of Los Prisioneros was at that time was in Valparaíso, Chile in 1992. Throughout the decade of the 1990s, their music spreads out, reaching all of South and Central America as well as some parts of the United States, Canada and Europe. On October 1, 1993; Two years after the group's first break-up, the video for the song We are Sudamerican rockers was chosen to be the first aired by the then-nascent chain MTV Latin America.

«Ni Por La Razón, Ni Por La Fuerza Album», Trio «Los Dioses» and «The Pirate Tape Album»[edit]

In 1996 Los Prisioneros were seen again after several years, and started collecting the band's success, with more oddities from the time of Los Pseudopillos, Los Vinchukas, Gus Gusano y Los Apestosos. They created a compilation which sold 100 000 albums dobles.54Later, 40 songs were selected and featured in a double compact disc Album titled,Ni Por La Razón, Ni Por La Fuerza (Nor by reason, Nor by force). They played privately in one event, in Balmaceda 1215, however, there was no talk about getting back together, nor the media showed any interest with the news.

In 1998 Jorge and Miguel were reunited, along with the Venezuelan artist Argenis Brito, to form the trio Los Dioses(The Gods), they launched a tour titled "Lo Mejor de Los Prisioneros"( the Best of The Prisoners) and toured Chile and Peru, interpreting classics of the prisoners, and did some gigs not but were not very successful. Gonzalez's aggressiveness and carelessness in front of his audiences pushed the public away.44 One Day Jorge collapsed due to his addiction to drugs and finally left the trio in March 1999, without releasing an album.56 Argenis Brito Miguel and continued together under as a duo under the new name "Humanitarian Reason" 56 In 2000 Jorge suddenly stopped promoting his latest solo album, and he traveled to Cuba, to overcome his drug addiction in the Villa Center Detoxification Quinque in that country.

In October 2000 Carlos Fonseca released under the label Warner Music, the album Tribute to the prisoners, made up of 18 groups in Chile, with Jorge González doing Chorus vocals. A month later, and produced by Jorge Gonzalez El Caset Pirata and the compilation of hits from the band recorded live from 1986-1991.57 40 As an advance, they released a single before the album's release on October 30, totled "No necesitamos banderas"(We Don't Need Flags), a presentation of the 1992 farewell tour banda.58 the album sold 20 000 copies.

Experimental new album, tensions and Narea's exit[edit]

In 2003 the band released their first new album since Claudio Narea left the band in 1990. It was titled self-titled, Los Prisioneros. The reviews for the album were quite mixed, some loved it while others didn't or thought that the band no longer sounded like Los Prisioneros. The album had a whole new sound, but it kept the political lyrics of the band in most of their songs. Basically the first half of the album is very centered in the rock genre while the second half moves into more of an electronic and acoustic folk guitar influence. They made two videos for the album, one for "San Miguel" and one for "Ultra-Derecha". They then began a tour to promote the album in 2003.

The same year, Los Prisioneros played in the famous music festival of Viña Del Mar in Chile. This was a live broadcast show and a very controversial one. Jorge González changed or added lyrics expressing his anger towards George W. Bush, about the Iraq and Afghanistan invasions, and other major things happening in Chile. By this time, Jorge was becoming very outspoken which caused controversy, and tension began to become quite noticeable between Jorge and Claudio.

In September, Claudio Narea was dismissed by the band, the remaining members said they talked it out like gentlemen, and decided to keep the reason of his dismissal between the three, and then until the band's final break up in 2006, Los Prisioneros would face on and off controversy from certain newspapers and sometimes even from Claudio. During a press conference to announce Claudio's departure, and to announce his replacement, who was called "the guest of honor in the guitar", the press kept bringing the subject of Claudio's departure. The Band members became annoyed and told several of the press members that they would not give any details regarding the breakup between Los Prisioneros and Claudio and would refuse talk about it. Eventually, Jorge lost his temper and knocked down all the microphones and threw a glass jar of water (which was on the table) to the ground, then he left the conference and so did Miguel and "the guest of honor in the guitar, who was Álvaro Henríquez. The latter one left with a big smile on his face and waved goodbye.

New formation and First Cover Album[edit]

Los Prisioneros went into the Rock & Pop studios to record their live studio covers album with guest musician Álvaro Henríquez, of Los Tres fame. The album En Las Raras Tocatas Nuevas De La Rock & Pop features only two original Los Prisioneros songs while the rest are but covers. Some of the covers include "Es La Lluvia Que Cae" originally by The Rokes, "Birthday" by The Beatles, "Alone Again (naturally)" by Gilbert O'Sullivan and many others. In this album they record songs by other bands like Virus and the Children's mini series "31 Minutos". They also make new versions of 2 songs from their previous Albums ( "Concepción" and "En el cementerio"). The album had a limited production and is now a hard to find collector's item.

Reunion, tours, disco and second break up (2001-2003)[edit]

On September 5, 2001 the original lineup of The Prisoners was to officially launch the return of the group with a single. It was a new version of "Las sierras eléctricas" recorded for the occasion after 12 years, this song was originally recorded by the trio before Narea output Hearts in 1989 and was published posthumously, "Ni por la razon, Ni Por La fuerza"(Not by reason, Nor by Force) The same year EMI edited the double album ""Antologia, Su Historia Y Sus Exitos" (Anthology, its history and successes), although similar to other Large successes, the first album is full they decided to remove the last album, which only lasted 55 minutes. The label had contractual problems, because they could not edit a record without the consent of the band as they had to accommodate their wishes. Also included, in its original version, "Las sierras eléctricas" that was not owned by EMI. Later that same year, the original band members, González, Tapia and Narea, meet again to perform two concerts at the National Stadium in Santiago on November 30 and December, with a great acclaim and press coverage, which the musicians had never had that up until that point. They appeared in several front pages of newspapers, and there was such a congregation and emotional reunion. Los Prisioneros became the first and so far the only group to fill twice the National Stadium, a record surpassed in 2007 by Soda Stereo to exceed 126 000 tickets sold in two dates, with the tour "will see me back again".

Entrance concert prisoners in Chuquicamata.

In 2002 they recorded this memorable performance in a live album and DVD, while the band did a successful tour through Chile and various countries in Latin America. It is at this time the band started to create small controversy for Jorge Gonzalez remarks while performing. In Peru, González said she was ashamed of the "Anti-Peruvian attitudes" of his fellow Chilean countrymen. Then as in the case of the 2002 Teleton, where González made sarcastic comments about the companies associated with the event, accusing them of using the Teleton for their own benefit, turning it into a business. Until this day, those events are well remembered and talked about.

In February 2003, They had a strong and successful time at the Festival of Viña del Mar festival winning all the awards and in June 2003, Los Prisioneros released to the market a new album (the fifth of career) simply titled Los Prisioneros. Although it was far away from the band's original sound. Things that made the band famous, the social critique and anti-neoliberal policy was not absent. The album achieved gold and platinum, and "Untra Derecha" ultra-right and San Miguel are the themes that emerged as singles. Some months later, yet again Claudio Narea is leaving Los Prisoners this time the reasons for his departure are published on the band's website.

This dismissal was communicated to me on 18 August, as part of a meeting, to which I was summoned by George and Michael. Without dialogue nor discussion, Jorge González simply informed me that "we do not want to play with you anymore." Jorge accused me of wanting to outshine the band, and accused me of discussing problems within the band with friends who are outside the band. He was particularly upset by an interview in June, with the newspaper Las Ultimas Noticias, despite the fact that the interview was about my own personal matters and did not not reveal any misfeasance about the band.

Tapia and González keep playing together with guest musicians. The big surprise was the temporary admission into the band of Álvaro Henríquez «formerly from Los Tres Band and from "Los Pettinellis" band (Chilean Rock Bands)»; with whom he recorded the album of covers and re-releases: Los Prisioneros En Las Raras Tocatas Nuevas De la Rock & Pop (The Prisoners In The New Strange Playings of Rock & Pop), recorded at the same radio Station.

On October 23 the prisoners were nominated as "Best Central Artist" by MTV Latin America, 64 who commemorated its ten years of existence and it was the band's second award, which is why they put together the supergroup, "Los Black Stripes" for the opening, with different exponents of Latin rock, including Jorge González, who shared the stage with the likes of Charly Alberti and Juanes. Then Alex Lora (El Tri) started singing "We are Sudamerican rockers", then joined with Jonaz and Rosso (Plastilina Mosh members), following them, González appeared singing "Bolero Falaz" (false Bolero) "by the Aterciopelados and then shouted "Viva Cuba". Jorge González later proceed to criticize MTV's new line up, saying that at first, MTV was oriented to true rock but today, the television station had become a sellout channel like all the other ones with a reality show, with Ricky Martin and Alejandro Sanz.

Miguel Tapia (middle) on a plane bound for a fan Iquique in 2004.

Re-awakened popularity and «Manzana Album»[edit]

Main article: Manzana (album)

In 2004, a new line-up with Gonzalo Yáñez (as guest musician) and Sergio "Coti" Badilla, released their new album called Manzana. The album received great reviews, and sales, even though Jorge had said it bould be hard to promote the album. The album featured a far more pop rock influence than the previous album. The album sounds as if Los Prisioneros were somehow realizing their roots and in some of the songs, it is evident of past Los Prisioneros albums that came out in the 1980s. While the album has a lot of electronic synths and in general electronic influence, each song pretty much stayed in the Rock genre. Their lyrics were a lot more up front than their previous album.

They specifically attacked El Mercurio in the song "Mr. Right" about how that newspaper created propaganda against Allende and hinted that the Chilean coup of 1973 where Chile's then president (Salvador Allende) was mysteriously killed by (depending on the sources) himself or the army That Pinochet commanded. They made a video "El Muro" and began a tour that same year to play in South and Central America, Mexico, the U.S.A. and Canada. During the tours, two more videos followed "Manzana" and "Eres Mi Hogar". By this time, the band members have privately agreed to dissolve the group around 2006 but officially they continue as a band, and they carry on as if everything is the same for the next 2 years. In late 2005, Jorge González the band's main vocalist agrees to an extensive interview by the noted Chilean Journalist and Writer "Emiliano Aguayo"; who in turn publishes a book titled "Maldito Sudaca: conversaciones con Jorge González" This book stands as a biographical account of the life of Jorge González and of the band. In addition the book has the most comprehensive discographical investigation of Jorge González as a musician. On February 18, 2005, They performed their last concert at the time in Caracas, Venezuela. After having successfully performed in Canada, United States, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Colombia and Chile, over the past two years. The dissolving of the group was agreed upon long before; although their closest fans were already aware of it, the press not informed, They cited the reason for the break up on the fact that they were all living in different cities. While Jorge González had taken up residence in Mexico Miguel and Sergio Tapia Badilla, remained in Santiago.

Final concerts and official dissolution[edit]

In 2005, Gonzalo Yáñez left the band (he was only a guest guitarist) to continue on his next album as a solo artist. The band continued touring until the end of 2005, and Jorge González had relocated to Mexico, D.F.. After a dismal tour in early 2006 (of dates which the band were in contract to perform) the band announced on their official website that the band would be over in March 2006. This proved to be true when Jorge announced his new group Los Updates which has seen a very well received first full-length album in Europe, Japan and the United States where he has had good reviews by the specialized media in music.

On the other hand, the differences between Claudio Narea and Miguel Tapia would keep them apart since 2003. They were brought together in 2009 forming a new project called "Narea and Tapia", performing several live shows. The group indicated that they were recording new songs and would published on December 20, 2010 for free download on the Internet.

Two of the three original members of The Prisoners: Jorge Gonzalez-Claudio Narea each doing their own submission, in the Chilean Rock Summit II in 2009.

Social and political legacy[edit]

According to several authors, Los Prisioneros became, by their lyrics contingency and social critics voicing the feelings and thoughts of thousands of young Chileans and Latin Americans in the 1980s. On July 1, 1983: Gonzalez, Tapia Narea for the first time called themselves "The Prisoners" (Los Prisioneros) and chose that as the name of their band, while on the other hand, on May 11 that same year, the first protest against Pinochet's regime was held, resulting in a chain of protests until October 12, 1984. Both movement's paths had crossed and "The Prisoners" unwittingly became the banner of struggle in the fact that they were being censored by the mainstream media, including the then state government network, Televisión Nacional de Chile (Channel 7), During the 1985 Telethon, as Prisoners made their appearance the government cut off the signal from the teleton and broadcast commercials instead. According to Narea, They detected something that could be dangerous to the stability of the government of General Pinochet, while Fonseca said the band's first album, La Voz de los '80(The Voice of the eighties) made no direct attack on the Pinochet dictatorship neither did they ever sang a tribute to the slain Chilean president Salvador Allende.

Claudio Narea in his autobiography Mi Vida Como Prisionero (My life as a prisoner) wrote that "Los Prisioneros" leaned left politically:

«I remember when Jorge began to talk about socialism one day while were walking in San Miguel. (...)He said it would be the most fair, no one would starve to death and that life would be better for everyone when that system was implanted, and that it was certain that it would be implemented(...)But in fact it was not so common to talk about politics within the band, because music was what filled us. We had no political prisoners in our families, and we did not go to protests. Although nevertheless, we began to detest Pinochet by observing the things that happened in those days, like the "Caso Degollados"(Case of the Slit Throats), for example. Jorge Gonzalez has said many times that the lyrics were only a "Stuffing" in the songs of "Los Prisioneros". But It was he who invented those songs. (...)Our band will be remembered forever by those who lived through the dictatorship —Precisely because of that— because there was a dictatorship and people could basically do nothing except sing the songs of our band. I have no idea if the fame and popularity of the band would have been the same without the Milicos (military regime) but I have the feeling that no, it wouldn't have. I believe we belong to that period whether we like it or not»[29]

in the 1980s: Jorge González-leader and principal songwriter of the band said "...Los Prisioneros (The Prisoners) does not belong to any political party and we were not based on an ideological base nor an antiestablishment base...it is that —after the songs are made— those things appear in the foreground... We only say what common people feel. Some people recriminate against a capitalist society —not because they had read Marx— but because the money they have is not enough to buy everything that the television teaches one needs to be happy... To say that we are antiestablishment sounds like propaganda. We don't recriminate against one person but against the whole system as such..." According to Carlos Fonseca: The vision they had for the trio of San Miguel is that they wanted to be a successful group, "...That is why we did not dedicate lyrics to Chile... Now, over time, we realize that despite that, the people turned those songs into tools of their struggle against the dictatorship. That is why Jorge gets upset when asked about this, because he never felt he was doing protest songs"

Musical style, influences[edit]

"Los Prisioneros" described their music as new wave. When they were in high school they listened to The Beatles, Kiss, Queen and the Bee Gees. However it was the British punk rock band The Clash who influenced them the most, particularly in their beginning phase. According to Narea: "...In 1981 we heard The Clash for the first time, through a 90-minute cassette that Claudio and Rodrigo Beltran just happened to record from a special radio concert. It featured the band's latest album at the time, titled Sandinista!. We were surprised by the diversity of sounds and beats from rock, to reggae, from jazz to even a bit of waltz added with humor, it was something so completely new for us..." Even Jorge Gonzalez declared "Sandinista!" his favorite album. The influence of The Clash was evident in Los Prisioneros albums such as La Voz De Los '80s (The Voice of the 80s) and also in their album "La Cultura De La basura" (trashy culture). They also influenced the lyrics and the look of the video clip "We are Sudamerican rockers." The wonder and appreciation they felt for the British band also led them to listen to other artists who cultivated the same genres, such as: The Specials, The Stranglers, Bob Marley, The Cars, Adam and the Ants, and Devo among others. Some critics have stated that Los Prisioneros were influenced by The Police but the group has emphatically denied this. According to the Chilean pop group "Bambú," «No necesitamos banderas» was the first reggae album ever recorded in Chile.

In 1985, Jorge and Miguel were being influenced by the techno sound from groups such as Depeche Mode, Ultravox and Heaven 17. They were also influenced by new wave groups such as The Cure, as well as indie rock Groups like The Smiths and Aztec Camera. Jorge Gonzalez stated that Los Prisioneros were more a techno pop group than a rock group. Ibeas Lalo, lead singer of the group Chancho en Piedra said, "...it was too risky and brave for Los Prisioneros to have made their second album while radically changing the sound of the band. To shift from the sound of the guitars to the style of The Clash and from there to the synthesizers sound, and yet still being able to sound like themselves..."

The band is classified as rock, Rock en Español, pop, folk, punk, post-punk, new wave, techno, electronic music, synthpop and rockabilly. Also, influences of rock and roll, hardcore, reggae, jazz, ska, rap, dance, vals and experimental music.[citation needed]

Awards and recognition[edit]

  • In 1986: The Album "Pateando Piedras" reaches Double Platinum Level with 20,000 copies sold in just 2 months.[30]
  • In 1986: "Pateando piedras" (Kicking Stones) was awarded Best Album of the Year by "SuperRock" Magazine.[31]
  • In 1986: Los Prisioneros Declared the best group in Chile by "SuperRock" Magazine.[31]
  • In 1986: Jorge Gonzalez -Lead singer and main composer of the band- was awarded Best Composer" by "SuperRock" Magazine.[31]
  • In 1986: the song "Baile De Los Que Sobran" (Dance Of The Ones Left Behind) was awarded Best Song of the Year by "SuperRock" Magazine. It sold 5,000 copies. in just 10 days.[32]
  • In 1986: The song "Baile De Los Que Sobran" (Dance Of The Ones Left Behind) awarded Best Song of the Year in Peru.[33]
  • In 1990: the video for the song "Tren Al Sur" (Southbound Train) was nominated for "Best Latin Video" by the American TV Chain MTV.[33]
  • On October 1, 1993: MTV's Latin Channel (MTV Latino) debuted and they chose as their first video broadcast the Los Prisioneros music video We are Sudamerican Rockers.[34]
  • In 2003: MTV Latino celebrated its 10-year anniversary with a special concert and awards ceremony which recognized Los Prisioneros and Jorge Gonzalez among the top and best rock artists of Latin America. Also the song "We Are Sudamerican Rockers" was showcased as a South American rock anthem.

Band members[edit]


Gonzalo Yáñez Sergio Badilla Álvaro Henríquez Robert Rodríguez Cecilia Aguayo Miguel Tapia Miguel Tapia Claudio Narea Jorge González (musician) Jorge González (musician)



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  • Narea, Claudio (2009). Mi vida como prisionero (1. ed.). Santiago, Chile: Grupo Ed. Norma. ISBN 9789563001860. 

External links[edit]