What happened to Cambodian musicians during the Khmer Rouge?

The Khmer Rouge, which ruled Cambodia from 1975 to 1979, systematically targeted artists, intellectuals, and musicians as 'enemies of the revolution.' Most of Cambodia's golden age rock stars — including Sinn Sisamouth, Ros Serey Sothea, and Pen Ran — were executed or died in labour camps. Estimates suggest that up to 90% of Cambodia's professional musicians were killed during this period.

Who was Sinn Sisamouth?

Sinn Sisamouth was Cambodia's most beloved singer and musician of the 1960s and 1970s, often called the 'King of Khmer Music'. He wrote and recorded hundreds of songs blending Khmer folk traditions with Latin, rock, and surf music influences. He was killed by the Khmer Rouge in 1976. His recordings survived on cassette tapes that refugees carried out of the country.

What is the 'Cambodian Rocks' compilation?

'Cambodian Rocks' is a 1996 compilation of 1960s and 1970s Cambodian psychedelic rock and pop, assembled by Paul Wheeler from cassette tapes he encountered while working in Southeast Asia. It introduced the West to musicians like Sinn Sisamouth and Ros Serey Sothea and directly inspired the American band Dengue Fever, who relocated to Phnom Penh and helped drive a broader rediscovery of the music.

The Songs They Tried to Kill

Genre: Cambodian rock, psychedelic, Khmer, 1960s, 1970s, genocide

February 22, 2026

The Khmer Rouge killed a quarter of Cambodia's population, including nearly every musician. They could not kill the songs.

Tracks

1. Seeing Hands — Dengue Fever
2. Chnam oun Dop-Pram Muy (I'm 16) — Ros Serey Sothea
3. Ethanopium — Dengue Fever
4. Cement Slippers — Dengue Fever
5. New Year's Eve — Dengue Fever
6. Tiger Phone Card — Dengue Fever
7. Sober Driver — Dengue Fever
8. One Thousand Tears of a Tarantula — Dengue Fever

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