The curious mistake about Raul Seixas made by Google

THE Google decided to remember the musician Raul Seixas last Saturday (23). However, those responsible for the search tool seem to have been confused regarding the date of the tribute.

As recorded by O Globo, in the early hours of the day, the search page dedicated a Doodle to the artist — art placed temporarily next to the company’s logo to celebrate anniversaries and historical milestones. Brazilians like the poet Carlos Drummond de Andradethe actress Ruth de Souzathe musician Santa Rosa and the geographer Milton Santos have already been recalled in this space.

The idea, according to a report from the platform itself, was to celebrate Raul’s 79th birthday by presenting an illustration by the Portuguese artist Paola Salibynot only for Brazil, but also for countries such as Argentina, Uruguay, Peru, Ireland and Pakistan. However, the musician was born on June 28, 1945 — that is, the occasion would have to be almost five months earlier.

The mistake was noticed some time later. In order not to dismiss the tribute, Google edited the page and used an event that is not exactly remarkable for the general public, informing: “on this day, in 1977, Raul debuted his new show at Teatro Bandeirantes”. Those responsible for the platform did not comment.

About Raul Seixas

(By Cláudia Boëchat for Rolling Stone Brasil)

Raul Seixas was born in Bahia, in Salvador. I was a fan of Elvis Presley. “I listened to Elvis Presley records until I ruined the grooves. Rock was like a key that would open my doors that were closed. He wore a red shirt, collar turned up. Mothers wouldn’t let their little daughters come near me because I was crooked like James Dean. He looked sideways, with a tough look. Every time I greeted someone, I turned around my body three times. I was rock itself. I was Elvis when I walked and combed my topknot. He was laughed at, funny, of course. I had assumed a way of dressing, speaking and acting that no one knew. Of course, I wasn’t aware of the social change that rock music implied. I thought young people were going to rule the world”he once said.

Today so admired, he lived damned. Starting at school. “I repeated the 2nd grade of gymnasium five times. I never learned anything at school. I lie. I learned to hate her”he stated. But, when he decided to enter college, he studied quickly and got one of the first places to study Law. He didn’t take his career forward. The music had already captivated him. To get by, he even taught English and guitar. Life was not easy for him. He practically fought an arduous battle to record each album.

First, he created the group Rock Lightning. Then it was The Panthers. In 1964 he made his first special recording: a compact with “Nanny” and “Broken Heart”. “Nanny” entered the album Raul’s Chest (1992). With The Panthers, he performed as an opening act at Jovem Guarda’s presentations, especially at the Jerry Adriani. Today it seems a bit strange, but it was Jerry Adriani who dragged him to Rio de Janeiro and got him to record his first LP, Raulzito and the Panthers. The guy was a little discouraged and gained momentum with the album. For a little while. The album did poorly. Ignored by the public and critics, Raul returned to Salvador.

In Bahia he ended up meeting a director of the record company CBS who invited him to work with him in Rio. Raul accepted and became a record producer. However, he ended up getting ready. When the director was away on a trip abroad, Raul decided to record an album, the LP Society of the Kavernist Grand Order – presents – Session at 10in which, in addition to him, they participated Sergio Sampaio, Miriam Batucada and Edy Star. Of course, the record company director was furious, fired Raul and made the album “disappear” from the market.

So he decided to be popular. He started wearing glitter in his hair and wearing a leather coat. Encouraged by Sérgio Sampaio, he signed up for the 1972 International Song Festival. The songs were “I Am I, Nicuri Is the Devil”played by Lena Rios and The Wolvesand “Let me sing, let me sing”by Raul. It was successful and won a contract with Philips. He became a producer again. Some time later, he recorded “Fool’s Gold” in a compact and then it exploded.

It was in that year, 1972, that Raul met Paulo Coelho. Do you know how? Did you see an article about flying saucers published in the magazine The Dovesigned by Augusto Figueiredo. He liked it and decided to meet the author of the article. It was Paul. A strong friendship and many stories began.

In 1973, Raul released his first solo album: Krig-Ha, Bandolo!. They say that was the cry of the Tarzan and which means “be careful, here comes the enemy”. I don’t know… Well, after Raul joined Paulo Coelho came the “Crowley era” with Alternative Society. Both were followers of the famous wizard Aleister Crowleythe English magician who, in addition to being worshiped by countless international rockers, had relationships with people like Fernando Pessoa. Crowley is controversial to this day for his doctrine and his madness. The fact is that Raul and Paulo joined this wave and even created a manifesto called “The Foundation of Krig-há”. This Alternative Society gained headquarters, documents, etc. Everything as Aleister Crowley preached: “Do what you want, everything must be according to the law”. The album was successful.

The military dictatorship begins to get irritated with Raul’s “crazy things” and he goes to spend time in the United States. Leave it recorded Gitawhich is launched and explodes. Back in Brazil, he records a clip and is invited by Globe to create the entire soundtrack for the soap opera The Rebu.

For Raul, life was going well. He became increasingly involved in the world of esotericism and secret sects. He decides to interpret Crowley’s work and record it New Aeon. Failure. Again.

Raul doesn’t give up and records 10 Thousand Years Ago. Success. Paulo Coelho jumps out of this bandwagon. The partnership ends. “I introduced Raul to drugs, secret societies and all that stuff. Did I do well? Raul jumped head first into all of this. At one point, I said: ‘Enough, I stopped’. But Raul continued, an absolutely conscious choice, and no one can judge him for that.”declared Coelho to Rolling Stone Brazil.

Next comes the LP The Day the Earth Stood Stillin 1977, and was criticized by critics. However, some songs are very successful – “Crazy Beauty”, “Shoe 36” and the title track. Not enough to fill Raul’s shows. He then recorded Virgin Forest. It was also not seen as spectacular.

Raul gets sick. Pancreatitis is a serious matter and he will take care of himself on a farm in the interior of Bahia. From there it goes to São Paulo. After Jerry Adriani, it’s time for Jair Rodrigues give Raul a boost. It is released For Whom the Bell Tollsin partnership with Oscar Rasmussen and, returning to CBS, launches Open up, Sesamein 1980. They were not a huge success either. The record company was convinced that Raul had to record an album about Lady Diana. The guy refuses and… leaves. Again.

If you are sick and take little care of yourself, your situation will get worse. Goes into depression. So, at the invitation of João Lara Mesquitadirector of Estúdio Eldorado, records, in 1983, the album Raul Seixas. In Free Soundrecord Subway Line 743. With two albums on the market, he jokes that he got it wrong because he ended up competing with himself. But he’s not well. His health is increasingly shaken. Raul leaves the scene a few times, going to Bahia to recover.

In 1985, his official fan club did something unprecedented: it produced and distributed the album Let me sing my rock and roll. After struggling a lot, Raul finds another record company interested in his work, Copacabana. Record Uah-Bap-Lu-Bap-Lah-Béin-Boom! and success embraces you again. But the guy wasn’t well. He became quiet and bored.

Marcelo Novalead singer of the band Venus shirtappears to revive him. He goes back to playing shows with his friend and the result is the album The Devil’s Potwhich was only released two days before Raul’s death. Before that, in 1988, he launched The Genesis Stonewhich talked about the controversial Alternative Society and, once again, no success.

Raul Seixas died on August 21, 1989 at home, alone, as Amy Winehouse and many others. The maid found him when she arrived at his house in the morning. The cause of death was pancreatitis.

“Raul Seixas is more current than ever. In this case, we see tragedy as a force that consolidates someone’s career. He need not have died the way he did, but I repeat that it was his choice. The tragedy consecrates – unfortunately. We watch the Jim Morrison in the past, and we saw the michael jackson now. The press did everything to destroy Michael Jackson and, when he died, the popular commotion was huge.”analyzed Paulo Coelho, in an article written for Rolling Stone Brazil. Raul lived his legend.