Vox Dei
Encyclopedia
Vox Dei is an Argentine
rock band credited for recording the country's first concept album, The Bible
. Its most prolific years were the 1970s, having recorded 10 albums.
Vox Dei started playing themes from bands like The Rolling Stones
, The Beatles
, The Kinks
and The Byrds
. In 1968, they recorded a version of Percy Sledge
's "When a Man Loves a Woman
", and the company Mandioca organized an audition for them in the Payró theatre. The members of Manal
and Almendra were also present, and a few hours later they played together. In 1970 they recorded for Mandioca their first album Caliente.
In the B.A. Rock Festival Vox Dei played the first part of the theme "Genesis", which had no lyrics yet. In February 1971 they released La Biblia
('The Bible'). Being the first Argentine concept album
, it became a turning point in the history of Argentine rock
; even the Archdiocese, that had asked to examine the lyrics, recommended young people to buy it. Right after the recording of La Biblia, Yodi Godoy left the band and was replaced by Ignacio Smilari.
In 1972 they re-edited their first album and recorded the third one, Jeremías Pies de Plomo
. During the first shows after the release, they recorded La Nave Infernal
and a few months later Es una Nube, no hay duda. After Vox Dei para Vox Dei of 1974, Ricardo Soulé announced he would leave the band to start as a soloist. Carlos Michelini replaced him while recording Estamos en la Pecera in 1975, and then was himself replaced by Raúl Fernandez. In 1976 they recorded Ciegos de Siglos.
Soulé returned to the band in 1978 to record Gata de Noche. Slowly the differences between the musicians started to grow, but they respected the contract that kept them together until 1981, performing a Farewell Show at the Estadio Obras Sanitarias.
In 1986 Vox Dei regrouped to present and record live "La Biblia" in the Teatro Ópera with Luis Valenti on keyboards.
In 1988 they made a "come back", to produce Tengo Razones para Seguir. Towards the end of 1989, Ricardo Soulé the band left again. In 1992 Carlos Gardellini becomes his new guitar.
Then produce independently with guitar Gardellini have recorded the albums: Sin Darle Ya Más Vueltas in 1994, and El Camino in 2005.
Between 1996 and 1998, Soulé returns to the group, performing at the 'Teatro Opera', releasing the live album "El Regreso de la Leyenda".
They have recorded with Ricardo Soulé a remake of La Biblia in 1998 entitled La Biblia II, with Andres Calamaro
, Fito Páez
and Alejandro Lerner
.
On November 3, 2010, drummer Rubén Basoalto died of lung cancer.
Multi-instrumentalist Simon Quiroga (Willy Quiroga's Son), now replaces Rubén Basoalto and the band continues to perform shows.
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
rock band credited for recording the country's first concept album, The Bible
La Biblia (album)
La Biblia is the name of the second album recorded by the Argentine rock band Vox Dei, generally regarded as the first Argentinian rock concept album.-Recording and Release:...
. Its most prolific years were the 1970s, having recorded 10 albums.
History
The band's original members were Juan Carlos Godoy (guitar and vocals), Ricardo Soulé (guitar and vocals), Rubén Basoalto (drums) and Willy Quiroga (bass and vocals).Vox Dei started playing themes from bands like 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...
, The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
, The Kinks
The Kinks
The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era. Their music was influenced by a...
and The Byrds
The Byrds
The Byrds were an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. The band underwent multiple line-up changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn remaining the sole consistent member until the group disbanded in 1973...
. In 1968, they recorded a version of Percy Sledge
Percy Sledge
Percy Sledge is an American R&B and soul performer who recorded the hit "When a Man Loves a Woman" in 1966.-Early career:...
's "When a Man Loves a Woman
When a Man Loves a Woman (song)
"When a Man Loves a Woman" is a song recorded by Percy Sledge in 1966 at Norala Sound Studio in Sheffield, Alabama. It made number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B singles charts. It was listed 54th in the List of Rolling Stone magazine's 500 greatest songs of all time...
", and the company Mandioca organized an audition for them in the Payró theatre. The members of Manal
Manal
Manal was an early Argentine rock group. Together with Almendra and Los Gatos, they are considered founders of Argentine rock. Portal Oficial del Gobierno de la República Argentina. The band members were Claudio Gabis on guitar, Javier Martínez on drums and vocals, and Alejandro Medina on bass and...
and Almendra were also present, and a few hours later they played together. In 1970 they recorded for Mandioca their first album Caliente.
In the B.A. Rock Festival Vox Dei played the first part of the theme "Genesis", which had no lyrics yet. In February 1971 they released La Biblia
La Biblia (album)
La Biblia is the name of the second album recorded by the Argentine rock band Vox Dei, generally regarded as the first Argentinian rock concept album.-Recording and Release:...
('The Bible'). Being the first Argentine concept album
Concept album
In music, a concept album is an album that is "unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical." Commonly, concept albums tend to incorporate preconceived musical or lyrical ideas rather than being improvised or composed in the studio, with all songs contributing...
, it became a turning point in the history of Argentine rock
Argentine rock
Argentine rock , is composed or made by Argentine bands or artists, in the Spanish language. For nearly half a century it has been a major popular genre, and it is considered part of the popular music tradition of Argentina alongside Argentine Tango, and Argentine folk music.The moment when...
; even the Archdiocese, that had asked to examine the lyrics, recommended young people to buy it. Right after the recording of La Biblia, Yodi Godoy left the band and was replaced by Ignacio Smilari.
In 1972 they re-edited their first album and recorded the third one, Jeremías Pies de Plomo
Jeremías Pies de Plomo
Jeremías Pies de Plomo is the name of the third album recorded by the Argentine rock band Vox Dei.- Recording :...
. During the first shows after the release, they recorded La Nave Infernal
La Nave Infernal (album)
La Nave Infernal is the name of the fifth album recorded by the Argentine rock band Vox Dei, is the first live album from the group.This album was released to conclude their contract with the label Disc Jockey. It was recorded during a national tour and featured old and unreleased songs...
and a few months later Es una Nube, no hay duda. After Vox Dei para Vox Dei of 1974, Ricardo Soulé announced he would leave the band to start as a soloist. Carlos Michelini replaced him while recording Estamos en la Pecera in 1975, and then was himself replaced by Raúl Fernandez. In 1976 they recorded Ciegos de Siglos.
Soulé returned to the band in 1978 to record Gata de Noche. Slowly the differences between the musicians started to grow, but they respected the contract that kept them together until 1981, performing a Farewell Show at the Estadio Obras Sanitarias.
In 1986 Vox Dei regrouped to present and record live "La Biblia" in the Teatro Ópera with Luis Valenti on keyboards.
In 1988 they made a "come back", to produce Tengo Razones para Seguir. Towards the end of 1989, Ricardo Soulé the band left again. In 1992 Carlos Gardellini becomes his new guitar.
Then produce independently with guitar Gardellini have recorded the albums: Sin Darle Ya Más Vueltas in 1994, and El Camino in 2005.
Between 1996 and 1998, Soulé returns to the group, performing at the 'Teatro Opera', releasing the live album "El Regreso de la Leyenda".
They have recorded with Ricardo Soulé a remake of La Biblia in 1998 entitled La Biblia II, with Andres Calamaro
Andrés Calamaro
Andrés Calamaro , is an Argentine musician, composer and Latin Grammy winner. His former band Los Rodríguez was a major success in Spain in the 1990s. He became one of the main icons of the Argentine rock in the last two decades and has sold over 1.3 million copies.-Abuelos de la Nada:Calamaro was...
, Fito Páez
Fito Páez
Rodolfo "Fito" Páez Ávalos is an Argentine popular rock and roll pianist, lyricist, Spanish language singer and film director.-Early career:...
and Alejandro Lerner
Alejandro Lerner
Alejandro Federico Lerner is an Argentine musician and singer-songwriter. He has written and sang countless songs including several hits, and his fame and recognition spread all over South America....
.
On November 3, 2010, drummer Rubén Basoalto died of lung cancer.
Multi-instrumentalist Simon Quiroga (Willy Quiroga's Son), now replaces Rubén Basoalto and the band continues to perform shows.
Current members
- Willy Quiroga - BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, 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...
, KeyboardsMusical keyboardA musical keyboard is the set of adjacent depressible levers or keys on a musical instrument, particularly the piano. Keyboards typically contain keys for playing the twelve notes of the Western musical scale, with a combination of larger, longer keys and smaller, shorter keys that repeats at the...
and Vocals (1967–1981, 1986–present). - Carlos Gardellini - 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...
and Backing vocals (1992–1996, 1999–present). - Simon Quiroga - 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 ....
and Percusion (2010–present).
Former members
- Ricardo Soulé - 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...
, PianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, HarmonicaHarmonicaThe harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
, ViolinViolinThe violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
and Vocals (1967–1974, 1978–1981, 1986–1989, 1996–1998). - Rubén Basoalto† - 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 ....
, Percusion and Vocals (1967–1981, 1986–2010). - Juan Carlos Godoy - Rhythm GuitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
and Vocals (1967–1971). - Carlos Michelini - 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...
and Vocals (1974–1975). - Nacho Smilari - Rhythm GuitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
(1971). - Beto Fortunato - 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...
(1974). - Enrique "Avellaneda" Díaz - Rhythm GuitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
and Vocals (1976–1978). - Raúl Fernández - Lead GuitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
(1976–1978).
Discography
- 1970 - Caliente (Hot)
- 1971 - La Biblia (The Bible)La Biblia (album)La Biblia is the name of the second album recorded by the Argentine rock band Vox Dei, generally regarded as the first Argentinian rock concept album.-Recording and Release:...
- 1972 - Jeremías Pies de Plomo (Lead-Feet Jeremiah)Jeremías Pies de PlomoJeremías Pies de Plomo is the name of the third album recorded by the Argentine rock band Vox Dei.- Recording :...
- 1972 - Cuero Caliente (Hot Leather)
- 1973 - La Nave Infernal (The Infernal Ship) - Live albumLa Nave Infernal (album)La Nave Infernal is the name of the fifth album recorded by the Argentine rock band Vox Dei, is the first live album from the group.This album was released to conclude their contract with the label Disc Jockey. It was recorded during a national tour and featured old and unreleased songs...
- 1973 - Es una Nube, No Hay Duda (It's a cloud, No Doubt About It)
- 1974 - Vox Dei para Vox Dei (Vox Dei for Vox Dei)
- 1975 - Estamos en la Pecera (We Are in the Fish Tank)
- 1976 - Ciegos de Siglos (Blind of Centuries)
- 1978 - Gata de Noche (Night Cat)
- 1986 - La Biblia en Vivo (The Bible Live) - Live album
- 1988 - Tengo Razones para Seguir (I've Got Reasons to Keep on Going)
- 1994 - Sin Darle ya más Vueltas (No More Going Around)
- 1996 - El Regreso de la Leyenda (The Comeback of the Legend) - Live Album
- 1998 - La Biblia II (The bible II) - remake with guest musicians
- 2005 - El Camino (The Road)
- 2007 - Vox Dei en vivo (Vox Dei Live) - Live Album
External links
- Vox Dei's official webpage (Spanish)
- Vox Dei at rock.com.ar (Spanish)