Raul Seixas
Biography
Raul Santos Seixas was Brazil's answer to rock rebellion, a mystical maverick who fused cosmic philosophy with raw electric blues to become the godfather of Brazilian rock. Born on June 28, 1945, in Salvador, Bahia, into a middle-class family, young Raul seemed destined for conventional success. His father was a businessman, his mother a devout Catholic, yet their son would grow up to challenge every sacred cow in Brazilian society with a devilish grin and a Telecaster slung across his shoulder.
The seeds of revolution were planted early. As a teenager, Seixas devoured Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, and Little Richard records while simultaneously absorbing the mystical teachings of Aleister Crowley and the philosophical writings of Carlos Castaneda. This unlikely cocktail of rock'n'roll and occultism would define his entire artistic trajectory. In 1962, he formed his first band, Raulzito e os Panteras, playing covers of American rock hits in local clubs. But even then, something darker and more complex was brewing beneath the surface.
The late sixties found Seixas in São Paulo, grinding it out in the underground scene while Brazil writhed under military dictatorship. His early solo work caught the attention of Philips Records, leading to his 1973 breakthrough album "Krig-ha, Bandolo!" – a title derived from Crowley's magical invocations. The record was a sonic molotov cocktail hurled at Brazilian conservatism, featuring the anthemic "Ouro de Tolo" and the subversive "Al Capone," songs that smuggled revolutionary messages past the censors through layers of metaphor and mysticism.
But it was his collaboration with lyricist Paulo Coelho – yes, the future bestselling author – that truly ignited his legend. Together, they crafted "Gita" (1974), an album that married Eastern philosophy with Western rock, featuring the explosive title track that reimagined the Bhagavad Gita as a cosmic rock opera. Their partnership peaked with "Novo Aeon" (1975), a conceptual masterpiece exploring themes of spiritual awakening and social transformation that cemented Seixas's reputation as Brazil's most dangerous philosopher-rocker.
Seixas's live performances were legendary spectacles of controlled chaos. Dressed in his signature black leather jacket, sporting wild hair and a manic gleam in his eyes, he'd prowl the stage like a shaman possessed, delivering sermons on freedom, individuality, and the coming Age of Aquarius between blistering guitar solos. His concerts became quasi-religious experiences for Brazilian youth hungry for authentic rebellion in an era of political repression.
The mid-seventies marked his commercial peak with albums like "Há Dez Mil Anos Atrás" (1976), which spawned the massive hit "Mosca na Sopa" – a not-so-subtle dig at Brazil's surveillance state. Songs like "Metamorfose Ambulante" became generational anthems, with their celebration of constant change and refusal to be categorized resonating deeply with young Brazilians chafing under authoritarian rule.
Throughout the late seventies and eighties, Seixas maintained his position as Brazil's premier rock iconoclast, though commercial success proved increasingly elusive as the music industry shifted toward more sanitized pop sounds. Albums like "O Dia em que a Terra Parou" (1977) and "Abre-te Sésamo" (1980) showcased his continued evolution, incorporating elements of reggae, punk, and new wave while never abandoning his core message of spiritual and political liberation.
His influence extended far beyond music into Brazilian counterculture itself. Seixas popularized alternative spirituality, introduced Crowley's Thelemic philosophy to Latin America, and inspired countless musicians to view rock as a vehicle for consciousness expansion rather than mere entertainment. His famous maxim "Seja você mesmo" (Be yourself) became a rallying cry for nonconformists across Brazil.
The nineties found Seixas battling personal demons and health problems, though he continued recording and performing with characteristic intensity. His later albums, while less commercially successful, retained the philosophical depth and musical adventurousness that defined his career. He remained a beloved figure among Brazilian intellectuals and musicians, frequently cited as a primary influence by everyone from Os Mutantes to Sepultura.
Raul Seixas died on August 21
