Although Los Beatniks never experienced commercial success, the influential group helped jumpstart Argentina's rock scene with "Rebelde," one of the first rock & roll songs composed and performed by Spanish-speaking artists. Based in the Villa Gesell area of Buenos Aires, Los Beatniks was formed in 1966 by several heavyweights of the city's music community, including Mauricio Birabent (popularly known as "Moris"), Pajarito Zaguri, and Javier Martínez. Los Beatniks performed regularly at underground bars like La Cueva and Juan Sebastián Bar, the latter of which was owned by Moris, and a developed a pioneering garage-rock sound that earned the band a contract from CBS Records. "Rebelde," Los Beatniks' only single, was released in 1966, backed by the B-side "No finjas más." "Rebelde" proved to be a controversial release, thanks not only to its ideological lyrics, but also to a series of partially-clothed promotional photos taken in a local fountain. Argentina's new president, Juan Carlos Onganía, banned the song and jailed the musicians for three days. Unable to rustle up enough buzz for their censored single, Los Beatniks broke up in 1967, with Moris launching a solo career in 1968. Despite Los Beatniks' short tenure, the band is now considered one of the forefathers of Argentine rock, having laid the groundwork for more successful groups like Almendra and Los Gatos.
