Former member of RPM was invited to reflect on how two of the greatest idols of Brazilian rock would be if they were still alive
Paulo Ricardo decided to revisit the past of other artists who helped build Brazilian rock on their new tour. Call Popular rockthe tour – which begins in Curitiba and Rio de Janeiro on the 26th and 27th of this month – brings the former member of RPM playing classics from names like urban Legion, cazuza It is Raul Seixasin addition to songs from his career.
Many of these idols honored on the tour are no longer with us, even though their works are timeless. But how would they be these days?
In an interview with journalist Gustavo Maiato, Paulo was invited to reflect on the subject. For having lived with Cazuza and with Renato Russolead singer of Legião, the ex-RPM member managed to find a very pertinent answer that connects the two aforementioned artists.
“Sometimes I think about it. What would they be doing today? I do not doubt at all that they were writing. They were very attached to writing. Like Chico Buarque, they would have already written plays, musicals and film scripts. Or even book. They would probably be writing a lot.”
In the specific case of the former singer of Red BaronRicardo went further and highlighted how the pioneering spirit of his late friend could lead him to collaborations outside of rock.
“Cazuza, as always, was very restless and tuned in, he probably would have already done work related to hip-hop, with a DJ and such. They were geniuses and their talent knew no bounds. By whatever vehicle they decided to express themselves, they were going to put on a show.”
Cazuza died on July 7, 1990, aged 32. In turn, Renato Russo left us on October 11, 1996, aged 36. Both suffered complications caused by HIV.
Rita Lee, another honoree
Among the giants of Brazilian rock to be honored on the tour is Rita Lee, who left us recently. Paulo Ricardo also shared private reflections about the artist, who denied the title “queen of rock” for being, according to him, “much more than that”.
“She is rock itself. She is Beatles, Stones and David Bowie. She embodied rock like nobody else in Brazil. I have wonderful stories with her. Once, when I invited her to participate in the song ‘A Fina Poeira do Ar’. Filmmaker Sérgio Rezende invited me to write the theme song for his new film ‘Doida Demais’, in 1989, with Vera Fischer and Paulo Betti. I invited Rita to sing with me and the song ended up being immortalized on my first solo album, Paulo Ricardo, in 1989. I also had the privilege of participating in an incredible tribute that Serginho Groisman made at Altas Horas. I chose the song ‘Mãe Natureza’. I also intend to participate in a big tour that Beto Lee is doing, receiving guests to sing the eternal classics of our patroness of freedom, Rita Lee Jones.”
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
