Sérgio Murillo

One of the earliest idols of Brazilian rock in the '50s, Sérgio Murilo was appointed the "King of Rock" by the Revista do Rock magazine for his versions of North-American hits by Paul Anka and Neil Sedaka. Having started at 12 as a singer in radio shows, he soon became a regular at Rádio Tamoio. In 1958, he debuted in the cinema with Alegria de Viver, and in the next year he recorded his first single, containing "Menino Triste" and "Mudou Muito." With hits like "Broto Legal," "Rock de Morte," and "Marcianita," he was invited to record his first LP, Sérgio Murilo. He also presented TV shows like Alô Brotos (on TV Tupi). His generation, which included Celly Campelo and Carlos Gonzaga, who stuck with versions of American music, would give way to younger artists who were already developing Brazilian themes with rock music as vehicles, like the Golden Boys, Sérgio Reis, and Wanderléa, among others. ~ Alvaro Neder