1941

Long-term music collaborator with Roberto Carlos (nearly all of his songs have been written in collaboration with Roberto Carlos) and one of the greatest Brazilian rock’n’roll musicians, the Rio de Janeiro native Erasmo Carlos started out his music career in 1958, singing with the band The Sputniks. Other musicians were Roberto Carlos, Tim Maia, Arlênio Lívio, Edson Trindade and China, all of whom were members of the rock’n’roll “gang” from Rua Matoso (Matoso Street), in the district of Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro. When Tim Maia left the band, the group changed its name to The Snakes – some time later, Roberto Carlos would also leave the band. In 1962, Erasmo Carlos joined the band Renato e Seus Blue Caps and recorded an LP with them. While pursuing a solo career, he had his first big hit in 1964 with the song “Festa de Arromba”, written with Roberto Carlos. In the following year, Erasmo, Roberto and singer Wanderléa were invited to present the live music show “Jovem Guarda” on a TV network, which concentrated the new rock’n’roll trend in Brazil. Nicknamed “O Tremendão” (The Shaking Man), Erasmo Carlos’ solo career took off. “Você Me Acende”, “Gatinha Manhosa”, “Terror dos Namorados”, “Vou Ficar Nu Para Chamar Sua Atenção”, “Minha Fama de Mau”, “Estou Dez Anos Atrasado”, “Vem Quente Que Estou Fervendo”, “Coqueiro Verde” and “Sentado à Beira do Caminho” are some of his hits. As an actor, he starred with buddy Roberto Carlos in the feature films “Roberto Carlos e o Diamante Cor de Rosa”, “A 300 km por hora” and “Os Machões”. In the 70’s he recorded important LPs, such as “Sonhos e Memórias – 1941-1972” (including the songs “Mané João” and “Mundo Cão”) and “1990 – Projeto Salvaterra”, which featured the hits “Sou uma Criança, Não Entendo Nada” and “Cachaça Mecânica” (curiously turned into a hit in Holland). In the 80’s, Erasmo Carlos made sporadic comebacks and recorded the songs “Mulher” (written with his wife, Narinha), “Mesmo Que Seja Eu”, “Pega na Mentira” and “Close”. In the late 80s, Erasmo Carlos re-recorded “A Carta” a duet with Renato Russo, leader and singer of the popular Brazilian rock’n’roll band Legião Urbana. In 1997, Erasmo Carlos and Roberto Carlos won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 17th Brazilian Music Shell Awards.