Early Life and Career
Erasmo Esteves was born in the neighborhood of Tijuca in the North Zone of Rio de Janeiro. His unmarried mother left the state of Bahia while pregnant. Erasmo knew Sebastião Rodrigues Maia (who would later be known as Tim Maia) since childhood, but the friendship would only come in adolescence because of the rock and roll fever.
In 1957, Tim Maia built the band The Sputniks, the band members were Tim, Arlênio Livy, Wellington Oliveira and Roberto Carlos. Erasmo was introduced to Roberto by Arlênio Livy. After a fight between Tim and Roberto, the group disbanded. Wellington gave up music, was the sole remaining Arlênio the next year decided to call Erasmo and other friends from Tijuca, Robert and José Edson Trindade, known as "China", to form the vocal group "The Boys of Rock".
At the suggestion of Carlos Imperial, the group was renamed The Snakes. They backed both Roberto and Tim Maia in their respective shows.
Roberto Carlos needed the lyrics to the song Hound Dog, a hit by Elvis Presley. Arlênio Livy told him Erasmo had the lyrics, as he was a big fan of Elvis. Roberto then discovered other affinities with Erasmo, as both of them liked Bob Nelson, James Dean, Marlon Brando, Marilyn Monroe, and cheering for Vasco da Gama. As part of The Snakes, Tim Maia taught Erasmo how to play guitar. Erasmo decided to adopt the name Carlos in his stage name, in honor of Roberto Carlos and Carlos Imperial. Before going solo, Erasmo was also part of the band Renato e seus Blue Caps.
Erasmo participated effectively with Roberto Carlos and Wanderléa in the Jovem Guarda TV, show where he had the nickname "Tremendão" (The Big Tremendous), imitating the clothes and style of his idol Elvis Presley. His greatest successes as a singer in this phase were "Gatinha manhosa" and "Festa de arromba". He had been rumored to become the main presenter of the program, but Roberto Carlos ended up taking the spot. Roberto and Erasmo, as songwriting partners, were criticized for singing and writing rock music and being thus "americanized". As a response, "Coqueiro verde" was the first samba-rock recorded by Erasmo.
Read more about this topic: Erasmo Carlos
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