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Roberto & Erasmo Carlos Biography

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When rock and roll became the sound of young America it didn't take long for much of the rest of the world's teenagers to get hip to the sound. In Brazil, it was in 1957 when "Rock 'n' Roll em Copacabana," recorded by the immortal Cauby Peixoto, became a hit signaling that Brazilian pop music would never be the same. Roberto and Erasmo Carlos (despite the same surname are not brothers, Erasmo's birth name is Esteves) were among the first important wave of young Brazilian rock and rollers to achieve fame as the hosts and performers on a youth oriented music program in the 1960s. The program was called Jovem Guarda and was the Brazilian equivalent of American shows like Shindig or American Bandstand. Hugely popular in the mid-60s, the show catapulted a number of young Brazilian rockers (and pop crooners) into the national spotlight. Robert and Erasmo recorded hits with unlikely titles such as "No Smoking" and "I Parked the Wrong Way" and were integral in bringing a simple, rock steady, 4/4 beat to the samba and bossa nova. Traditionalists hated it, but the kids loved it and until Jovem Guarda ended it's run in 1968 it was one of the most highly rate programs on Brazilian TV. Frequently the transition from teen idol to serious musician is difficult (Call David or Shaun Cassidy up if you don't believe me) but Roberto Carlos went on from Jovem Guarda to an extremely successful career as a ballad-singing crooner. Erasmo concentrated on songwriting (in fact the two collaborated for years) but it was Roberto whose popularity as a solo artist skyrocketed in Brazil in the 70s and 80s. The music, however, was mostly uninspired as Robertos was frequently (and, truth be told, deservedly) compared to crooning hack Julio Igelsias. While Roberto's solo output lacks substance, he and Erasmo deserve to be lauded for their enthusiastic introduction of rock and roll to Brazil's commercial pop music landscape. ~ John Dougan, Rovi

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