Gilberto Gil
Gilberto Passos Gil Moreira (born June 26, 1942) is a Brazilian singer, guitarist and songwriter, and the country's current Minister of Culture. Gil is best known for his late 1960s tropicalismo recordings, including "Roda", "Lunik 9", and "Domingo No Parque". Elis Regina recorded many of his songs.
He began his career as a bossa nova musician, but soon began writing songs that reflected a new focus on political awareness and social activism, along with fellow singer Caetano Veloso. In the 1970s, Gil added new elements of African and North American music to his already broad palette, and continued to release a steady stream of albums, including Realce and Refazenda. João Gilberto recorded Gil's "Eu Vim Da Bahia" ("I Came from Bahia") on his classic João Gilberto LP.
In 1969, Gil and Veloso were arrested by the military government of Brazil for anti-government activities. Upon their release, the pair were exiled, and both moved to London. Gil began playing with groups like Yes, Pink Floyd and the Incredible String Band, while continuing his solo career. In the 1970s, he toured the US and recorded an English-language album. He worked with Jimmy Cliff and released in 1980 a cover of "No Woman, No Cry" (Bob Marley & the Wailers) that was a massive hit and introduced reggae to Brazil.
Gil continued recording, performing and involving himself in various social causes, and was eventually elected to office in Salvador, his hometown, in the early 1990s. His 1993 album with Caetano Veloso, Tropicália 2, featured a cover of a Jimi Hendrix song, "Wait Until Tomorrow", and is regarded as one of his finest efforts since the late 1960s.
When President Lula da Silva took office in January 2003, he chose Gil to serve as Brazil's new Minister of Culture.
During his Ministry, Gil released his songs Refazenda, Rebento, Refavela and 'Oslodum' under the Creative Commons Sampling License.
In May 2005 Gil was awarded the Polar Music Prize in Stockholm, Sweden. He was the first Latin American recipient of the annual award, which was given to him by the King of Sweden. Gil also performed four songs in an outdoors concert the day before the award show and again at the show with only two songs, accompanied by Jimmy Cliff.
In September 2005 he was awarded the Légion d'honneur from the French Government. This coincided with the Année du Brésil en France (Brazil's Year in France).
In 2006, Gil publicly endorsed drug policy reform, to treat drug use as a public health — rather than criminal justice — concern.
His daughter Preta Gil is also a musician.
His son Pedro Gil (killed in a car crash in 1990) was the drummer of rock band Egotrip.
Discography
- 1967 Louvação
- 1968 Gilberto Gil (Frevo Rasgado)
- 1969 Gilberto Gil (Cérebro Eletrônico)
- 1971 Gilberto Gil (Nega)
- 1972 Barra 69: Caetano E Gil Ao Vivo Na Bahia
- 1972 Expresso 2222
- 1974 Gilberto Gil Ao Vivo
- 1975 Refazenda
- 1977 Refavela
- 1978 Gilberto Gil Ao Vivo Em Montreux
- 1978 Refestança
- 1979 Nightingale
- 1979 Realce
- 1981 Brasil
- 1981 Luar (A Gente Precisa Ver o Luar)
- 1981 Um Banda Um
- 1983 Extra [WEA Latina]
- 1984 Quilombo (Trilha Sonora)
- 1984 Raça Humana
- 1985 Dia Dorim Noite Neon
- 1987 Gilberto Gil Em Concerto
- 1987 Soy Loco Por Ti America
- 1987 Trem Para As Estrelas (Trilha Sonora)
- 1988 Ao Vivo Em Tóquio (Live in Tokyo)
- 1989 O Eterno Deus Mu Dança
- 1991 Parabolic
- 1994 Acoustic
- 1995 Esoterico: Live in USA 1994
- 1995 Oriente: Live in Tokyo
- 1996 Em Concerto
- 1996 Luar
- 1997 Indigo Blue
- 1997 Quanta
- 1998 Ao Vivo Em Tóquio (Live in Tokyo) [Braziloid]
- 1998 Copacabana Mon Amour
- 1998 O Sol de Oslo
- 1998 O Viramundo (Ao Vivo)
- 1998 Quanta Live
- 2000 Me, You, Them [Brazil]
- 2001 Milton and Gil
- 2001 São João Vivo
- 2002 Kaya N'Gan Daya
- 2002 Quanta Live [Brazil]
- 2002 Z: 300 Anos de Zumbi
- 2004 Eletrácustico
- 2005 Ao Vivo
- 2005 As Canções de Eu Tu Eles
- 2005 Soul of Brazil
- 2006 Gil Luminoso
- 2006 Rhythms of Bahia