Erasmo Carlos

Revered for his career-spanning offerings with musical collaborator Roberto Carlos, Brazilian pop legend Erasmo Carlos (born Erasmo Esteves on June 5, 1941, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) spent the late 1950s and 1960s honing his craft as a member of the country's pop-rock 'Jovem Guarda' (Young Guard) explosion. He found fame in popular bands, also becoming a presence on the small screen, and signed with Polydor in 1970 to embark on a prolific solo career that would yield an extensive discography across a range of styles. For his 1970 debut solo album, Erasmo Carlos E Os Tremendões, Esteves set out his stall as a classic singer-songwriter in the Música Popular Brasileira (MPB) vein, shedding the layers of his teen-pop days. Co-produced by tropicália producer Manoel Barenbein, his 1971 follow-up, Carlos, ERASMO, featured the memorable track "De Noite Na Cama," a love letter to marijuana penned by the iconic Caetano Veloso. 1974 saw the release of Sonhos e Memórias 1941-1972, with Esteves also forming rock band Companhia Brasileira de Rock that same year. His 1980 project, Erasmo Carlos Convida, brought together a host of Brazil's top musical names, including Gal Costa, Jorge Ben and Roberto Carlos, for an all-star collection of songs. 1981's Mulher, 1982's Amar Pra Viver ou Morrer de Amor and 1984's Buraco Negro are among other notable releases from that decade, with Esteves continuing to release throughout the 1990s. He marked the turn of the new millennium with 2001's Pra Falar De Amor and released Rock 'N' Roll in 2009. The star's 31st studio album, 2018's Amor é Isso, is widely considered to be among his best. The carioca singer-songwriter passed away on November 22, 2022, at the age of 81.