Barão Vermelho
Encyclopedia
Barão Vermelho is a Brazil
ian rock
band. Formed in 1981 in Rio de Janeiro
, it was originally led by songwriting duo Cazuza
(singer) and Roberto Frejat
(guitarist), which assumed the vocals after Cazuza's departure in 1986. They are considered one of the most influential bands of the 1980s generation.
's "Red Baron" strips, began in 1981, in Rio de Janeiro
, as a literal garage band
, when Maurício Carvalho de Barros and Flávio Augusto Goffi Marquesini (Guto Goffi), both studying at Imaculada Conceição High School, got together to play Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin
at the former's parents' house. Guitarist
Roberto Frejat
and bassist
André Palmeira Cunha (Dé) joined them, and the band began to look for a singer. One candidate was singer and guitarist Léo Jaime
from Goiás
, who turned the band down, considering the band "too heavy" for his taste. Jaime suggested one of his colleagues at acting class, Agenor Miranda Araújo Neto, more commonly known as Cazuza
, and noted that he was "the son of João Araújo" - a reference that the barões missed, only later learning that João Araújo was an executive at Som Livre
, one of Brazil
's largest record companies. Cazuza
showed them some lyrics that he had already written, and Barão Vermelho, which had been a cover band until then, began writing their own songs.
They recorded the LP "Barão Vermelho" by Som Livre in only two days in 1982. The album included songs such as "Bilhetinho Azul", "Ponto Fraco" and "Down em Mim." They played in a few concerts in Rio de Janeiro
and São Paulo
and returned to the studio for a month to record their second album "Barão Vermelho 2", which was released in 1983 and which includes the song "Pro Dia Nascer Feliz".
called Cazuza the greatest poet of his generation and played a cover of "Todo amor que houver nessa vida", and Ney Matogrosso
recorded "Pro Dia Nascer Feliz". As a result they were invited to write the soundtrack
for a film called "Bete Balanço" in 1984, spreading their fame across the country. This same year they released their third album: "Maior Abandonado", which includes the song "Bete Balanço". This album sold more than 100 thousand copies in only 6 months. In January 1985, Barão Vermelho played at Rock In Rio
.
and Arnaldo Antunes
helped compose the album, it didn't receive much promotion. In 1987 they released their 5th album, "Rock'n Geral". The album received good reviews, but sold poorly, selling less than 15 thousand copies. This same year Mauricio left the band and Peninha entered as a percussionist and Magalhães as guitarist. Barros would return as a guest musician in many Barão albums.
in Brazil. The following year, with their popularity high, they released their seventh album, "Barão ao Vivo" (Barão Live), and this same year Som Livre released the collection, "Os melhores momentos de Cazuza e o Barão Vermelho" (The best moments of Cazuza and Barão Vermelho). The album included rare and previously unreleased tracks such as "Eclipse Oculto" and "Eu queria ter uma bomba".
In 1990 bassist, Dé, left the band after continuous fights, and Dadi entered in his place. This same year, Barão recorded and released "Na Calada da Noite", showing their acoustic side. This album included the song "O Poeta está Vivo"- an allusion to Cazuza who would pass away a few months later from AIDS
.
In 1991 the band was chosen by the public and critics of Bizz magazine as the best band of the year, and recorded an MTV Unplugged
. The following year they were named the best band of Hollywood Rock
.
The band released the albums Supermercados da Vida (1992, includes the hit "Pedra Flor Espinho") and Carne Crua (1994, "Meus bons amigos") before Dadi left, being replaced by Rodrigo Santos. In 1995, the band opened for the Rolling Stones
in the Brazilian Voodoo Lounge shows
, and in the following year released an album of covers
, Álbum, with the most successful song being a version of Bezerra da Silva
's "Malandragem Dá Um Tempo".
In 1998, Barão released Puro êxtase, an techno
-influenced album that became their most successful in the decade, led by the elctronica "Puro Extase" and the ballad "Por Você". The following year they recorded an album for MTV Brasil
, Balada MTV.
Barão entered a hiatus in the early 2000s, so Frejat could focused in his solo career. The band came back to release another album, titled Barão Vermelho, in 2004. The following year saw the release of a MTV Live
album, which includes "Codinome Beija-Flor", a Cazuza song sampled to simulate a duet. In January 2007 the band entered a hiatus, and the members are pursuing their own solo careers. There's no telling when the band might get back together; however, they are preparing to release a book about their career and a DVD with their historic show at Rock in Rio 1.
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian rock
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
band. Formed in 1981 in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
, it was originally led by songwriting duo Cazuza
Cazuza
Agenor Miranda Araújo Neto, better known as Cazuza was a Brazilian composer and singer, born in Rio de Janeiro. Along with Raul Seixas, Renato Russo and Os Mutantes, Cazuza is considered one of the best exponents of Brazilian rock music....
(singer) and Roberto Frejat
Roberto Frejat
Roberto Frejat , is a musician, composer, singer and co-founder of the band Barão Vermelho.Frejat, who was born in Rio de Janeiro, is considered one of the most important persons in the Brazilian Rock scene. He co-founded the band Barão Vermelho in 1981 playing the guitar and writing songs, then...
(guitarist), which assumed the vocals after Cazuza's departure in 1986. They are considered one of the most influential bands of the 1980s generation.
Formation
The band, named after SnoopySnoopy
Snoopy is an fictional character in the long-running comic strip Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz. He is Charlie Brown's pet beagle. Snoopy began his life in the strip as a fairly conventional dog, but eventually evolved into perhaps the strip's most dynamic character—and among the most recognizable...
's "Red Baron" strips, began in 1981, in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
, as a literal garage band
Garage band
The term garage band can refer to:* A band that performs garage rock* GarageBand, audio production software published by Apple Inc.* GarageBand.com, a website that helps publicize emerging bands...
, when Maurício Carvalho de Barros and Flávio Augusto Goffi Marquesini (Guto Goffi), both studying at Imaculada Conceição High School, got together to play Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
at the former's parents' house. Guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
Roberto Frejat
Roberto Frejat
Roberto Frejat , is a musician, composer, singer and co-founder of the band Barão Vermelho.Frejat, who was born in Rio de Janeiro, is considered one of the most important persons in the Brazilian Rock scene. He co-founded the band Barão Vermelho in 1981 playing the guitar and writing songs, then...
and bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
André Palmeira Cunha (Dé) joined them, and the band began to look for a singer. One candidate was singer and guitarist Léo Jaime
Léo Jaime
Leonardo Jaime , widely known by stage name Leo Jaime, is a Brazilian singer-songwriter. Jaime was a part of the original formation of the carioca rockabilly group called "João Penca & Seus Miquinhos Amestrados". He left the group to pursue a solo career...
from Goiás
Goiás
Goiás is a state of Brazil, located in the central part of the country. The name Goiás comes from the name of an indigenous community...
, who turned the band down, considering the band "too heavy" for his taste. Jaime suggested one of his colleagues at acting class, Agenor Miranda Araújo Neto, more commonly known as Cazuza
Cazuza
Agenor Miranda Araújo Neto, better known as Cazuza was a Brazilian composer and singer, born in Rio de Janeiro. Along with Raul Seixas, Renato Russo and Os Mutantes, Cazuza is considered one of the best exponents of Brazilian rock music....
, and noted that he was "the son of João Araújo" - a reference that the barões missed, only later learning that João Araújo was an executive at Som Livre
Som Livre
Som Livre is a Brazilian record company that was founded by Rede Globo in 1969 to commercialize its soap opera soundtracks, later expanding to record studio albums....
, one of Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
's largest record companies. Cazuza
Cazuza
Agenor Miranda Araújo Neto, better known as Cazuza was a Brazilian composer and singer, born in Rio de Janeiro. Along with Raul Seixas, Renato Russo and Os Mutantes, Cazuza is considered one of the best exponents of Brazilian rock music....
showed them some lyrics that he had already written, and Barão Vermelho, which had been a cover band until then, began writing their own songs.
They recorded the LP "Barão Vermelho" by Som Livre in only two days in 1982. The album included songs such as "Bilhetinho Azul", "Ponto Fraco" and "Down em Mim." They played in a few concerts in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
and São Paulo
São Paulo
São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among...
and returned to the studio for a month to record their second album "Barão Vermelho 2", which was released in 1983 and which includes the song "Pro Dia Nascer Feliz".
Gaining recognition
Despite having released two albums the radios refused to play their songs. Barão only gained recognition after Caetano VelosoCaetano Veloso
Caetano Emanuel Viana Teles Veloso , better known as Caetano Veloso, is a Brazilian composer, singer, guitarist, writer, and political activist. Veloso first became known for his participation in the Brazilian musical movement Tropicalismo which encompassed theatre, poetry and music in the 1960s,...
called Cazuza the greatest poet of his generation and played a cover of "Todo amor que houver nessa vida", and Ney Matogrosso
Ney Matogrosso
Ney de Sousa Pereira, known as Ney Matogrosso is a Brazilian singer who is distinguished for his uncommon sopranino voice.-Biography:...
recorded "Pro Dia Nascer Feliz". As a result they were invited to write the soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
for a film called "Bete Balanço" in 1984, spreading their fame across the country. This same year they released their third album: "Maior Abandonado", which includes the song "Bete Balanço". This album sold more than 100 thousand copies in only 6 months. In January 1985, Barão Vermelho played at Rock In Rio
Rock in Rio
Rock in Rio is a series of music festivals held in three cities: Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Lisbon in Portugal and Madrid in Spain.Four incarnations of the festival were in Rio de Janeiro, in 1985, 1991, 2001 and 2011, four in Lisbon, in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010, and two in Madrid in 2008 and 2010....
.
Cazuza leaves
Cazuza had already expressed his desire to pursue a solo career, and had Frejat's support as long as he didn't leave the band. However, after some fights, Cazuza left the band for good, taking with him a few songs for his first solo album. Frejat took over as singer and in 1986 the band released their fourth album, "Declare Guerra." Though famous artists like Renato RussoRenato Russo
Renato Russo was a Brazilian singer and songwriter. His first band was a punk rock band called "Aborto Elétrico" . The band then broke up and split in two different ones: "Capital Inicial" and "Legião Urbana"...
and Arnaldo Antunes
Arnaldo Antunes
Arnaldo Antunes , is a writer and composer from Brazil. He began as a member of the band Aguilar e Banda Performática in the late 1970s. For most of the 1980s he was a member of the rock band Titãs. After 1992 he had six solo albums. Since 1992 he has been an award winning poet, but he was first...
helped compose the album, it didn't receive much promotion. In 1987 they released their 5th album, "Rock'n Geral". The album received good reviews, but sold poorly, selling less than 15 thousand copies. This same year Mauricio left the band and Peninha entered as a percussionist and Magalhães as guitarist. Barros would return as a guest musician in many Barão albums.
Back on the Charts
In 1988 the band released their next album, "Carnaval", which mixed hard rock with romantic lyrics. The album was a huge success on the radio, guaranteeing Barão Vermelho the opportunity to open for Rod StewartRod Stewart
Roderick David "Rod" Stewart, CBE is a British singer-songwriter and musician, born and raised in North London, England and currently residing in Epping. He is of Scottish and English ancestry....
in Brazil. The following year, with their popularity high, they released their seventh album, "Barão ao Vivo" (Barão Live), and this same year Som Livre released the collection, "Os melhores momentos de Cazuza e o Barão Vermelho" (The best moments of Cazuza and Barão Vermelho). The album included rare and previously unreleased tracks such as "Eclipse Oculto" and "Eu queria ter uma bomba".
In 1990 bassist, Dé, left the band after continuous fights, and Dadi entered in his place. This same year, Barão recorded and released "Na Calada da Noite", showing their acoustic side. This album included the song "O Poeta está Vivo"- an allusion to Cazuza who would pass away a few months later from AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
.
In 1991 the band was chosen by the public and critics of Bizz magazine as the best band of the year, and recorded an MTV Unplugged
MTV Unplugged
MTV Unplugged is a TV series showcasing many popular musical artists usually playing acoustic instruments. The show has received the George Foster Peabody Award and 3 Primetime Emmy nominations among many accolades.-Unplugged:...
. The following year they were named the best band of Hollywood Rock
Hollywood Rock
Hollywood Rock was a music festival which took place in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, in 1975 and from 1988 to 1996. The festival was sponsored and organised by the Souza Cruz tobacco company, owners of the Hollywood cigarette brand...
.
The band released the albums Supermercados da Vida (1992, includes the hit "Pedra Flor Espinho") and Carne Crua (1994, "Meus bons amigos") before Dadi left, being replaced by Rodrigo Santos. In 1995, the band opened for the Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
in the Brazilian Voodoo Lounge shows
Voodoo Lounge Tour
The Voodoo Lounge Tour was a worldwide concert tour by The Rolling Stones to promote their 1994 album Voodoo Lounge. This was their first tour without bassist Bill Wyman; he was replaced by Darryl Jones. The tour grossed $320 million, becoming the highest grossing tour of any artist at that time...
, and in the following year released an album of covers
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
, Álbum, with the most successful song being a version of Bezerra da Silva
Bezerra da Silva
José Bezerra da Silva was a Brazilian samba musician of the partido alto style.-Biography:...
's "Malandragem Dá Um Tempo".
In 1998, Barão released Puro êxtase, an techno
Techno
Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan in the United States during the mid to late 1980s. The first recorded use of the word techno, in reference to a genre of music, was in 1988...
-influenced album that became their most successful in the decade, led by the elctronica "Puro Extase" and the ballad "Por Você". The following year they recorded an album for MTV Brasil
MTV Brasil
MTV Brasil is the Brazilian version of MTV, owned by Abril Mídia, the nation's largest magazine publisher, under license from Viacom - owned MTV Networks Latin AmericaMTV Brasil is one of two versions of MTV available in free-to-air terrestrial television...
, Balada MTV.
Barão entered a hiatus in the early 2000s, so Frejat could focused in his solo career. The band came back to release another album, titled Barão Vermelho, in 2004. The following year saw the release of a MTV Live
MTV Live
MTV Live was a U.S. television series that aired from 1997 to 1998 on MTV, featuring interviews with celebrity guests, live musical performances, news coverage, and music video premieres.-Series run:...
album, which includes "Codinome Beija-Flor", a Cazuza song sampled to simulate a duet. In January 2007 the band entered a hiatus, and the members are pursuing their own solo careers. There's no telling when the band might get back together; however, they are preparing to release a book about their career and a DVD with their historic show at Rock in Rio 1.
Discography
- 19821982 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music from 1982. 1982 was a big year in music with Madonna making her debut as well as the year that Michael Jackson released Thriller which became the world's best selling album and it still holds that title today....
- Barão VermelhoBarão Vermelho (album)Barão Vermelho is the first album by Brazilian rock band Barão Vermelho, released in 1982. The album includes the song "Todo Amor Que Houver Nessa Vida" , which became one of the band's classics.- Track listing :... - 19831983 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1983.-January-April:*January – ZTT Records is founded.*January 8 – The UK singles chart is tabulated from this week forward by The Gallup Organization...
- Barão Vermelho 2Barão Vermelho 2Barão Vermelho 2 is the second album by Brazilian rock band Barão Vermelho, released in 1984. It includes their first hit "Pro Dia Nascer Feliz", which became one of the band's classics.- Track listing :# "Intro/ Menina Mimada"# "O Que a Gente Quiser"... - 19841984 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1984.-Janury-March:*January 21 – "Relax" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood reaches number one in the UK singles chart, despite being banned by the BBC; it spends a total of forty-two weeks in the Top 40.*January 27 – Michael Jackson's...
- Maior AbandonadoMaior AbandonadoMaior Abandonado is the third album by Brazilian rock band Barão Vermelho, released in 1984. It is their most critically acclaimed and generally considered their best album. It contain their biggest hit "Bete Balanço"... - 19851985 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1985.-January–March:*January 1 - The newest music video channel, VH-1, debuts on American cable. It is aimed at an older demographic than its sister station, MTV...
- Ao Vivo no Rock in rio I - 19861986 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1986.-January-June:*January 23 – The first induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame takes place...
- Declare GuerraDeclare GuerraDeclare Guerra is the fourth album by Brazilian rock band Barão Vermelho, released in 1986. It's the first album released by the band after their main lyricist and vocalist, Cazuza, left the band. It's the first album with singer/guitarist Roberto Frejat... - 19871987 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1987.See also:Record labels established in 1987-January-February:*January 3 – Aretha Franklin becomes the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...
- Rock'n GeralRock'n GeralRock'n Geral is the fifth album by brazilian rock band Barão Vermelho, released in 1987. It's the second album with Roberto Frejat as vocalist... - 19881988 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1988.-January-March:* January 1 – André Rieu's Johann Strauss Orchestra plays its first concert....
- Carnaval - 19891989 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1989.-Events:*January 14 – Paul McCartney releases Снова в СССР exclusively in the USSR...
- Barão ao Vivo - 19901990 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1990.-Events:*January 21 – MTV's Unplugged premieres on cable television with British band Squeeze...
- Na Calada da Noite - 19911991 in musicSee also:* 1991 in music Record labels established in 1991-Summary:The year 1991 is the year that grunge music made its popular breakthrough. Nirvana's Nevermind, led by the surprise hit single "Smells Like Teen Spirit", becomes the most popular U.S. album of the year...
- MTV Acústico - 19921992 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1992.-January–February:*January 11**Nirvana's Nevermind album goes to #1 in the US Billboard 200 chart, establishing the widespread popularity of the Grunge movement of the 1990s....
- Supermercados da Vida - 19941994 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1994.-January–February:*January 25 – Alice in Chains release their Jar of Flies album which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming the first ever EP to do so....
- Carne Crua - 19961996 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1996.-January:* January – At the trial of two American teenagers, Nicholaus McDonald and Brian Bassett, for the murder of Bassett's parents and young brother, defense lawyers attempt to lay the blame for the murders on the fact...
- ÁlbumAlbum (album)Album is the fifth studio album by English rock band Public Image Ltd, released on 3 February 1986... - 19971997 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1997.-January:*January 9 – David Bowie performs his 50th Birthday Bash concert at Madison Square Garden, New York City, USA with guests Frank Black, The Foo Fighters, Sonic Youth, Robert Smith of The Cure, Lou Reed, and Billy...
- Remix + Ao Vivo - 19981998 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1998.-Events:*January 28 – "Weird Al" Yankovic gets LASIK surgery to cure his myopia...
- Puro Êxtase - 19991999 in music-Events:*January 7**After eight years of marriage, Rod Stewart and supermodel wife Rachel Hunter announce their separation.**Paul McCartney attends the first of his stepdaughter Heather's first housewares collection in Georgia....
- Balada MTV - 20042004 in musicSee also:* 2004 in music Record labels established in 2004-January:*January 1**The Vienna New Year's Concert is conducted by Riccardo Muti.**Kurt Nilsen wins World Idol....
- Barão Vermelho - 20052005 in music-Events:*During the year 2005, 12 rock music albums scored number 1 in the USA. This was the first time even ten albums have scored number 1 since 1996.-January:...
- MTV Ao Vivo
Current lineup
- Roberto FrejatRoberto FrejatRoberto Frejat , is a musician, composer, singer and co-founder of the band Barão Vermelho.Frejat, who was born in Rio de Janeiro, is considered one of the most important persons in the Brazilian Rock scene. He co-founded the band Barão Vermelho in 1981 playing the guitar and writing songs, then...
— guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
(since 1981) and vocal (since 1985) - Guto Goffi — drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(since 1981) - Fernando Magalhães — guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
(since 1985) - Peninha — percussion (since 1985)
- Rodrigo Santos — bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(since 1992) - Maurício Barros — keyboards (official 1981-1987, since 1988 recurrent guest musician)