Biography
Who is Gilberto Gil?
Early life in Bahia
Gilberto Gil Passos Gil Moreira was born in Salvador, Brazil. During his childhood, he lived in a small town called Ituaçu in the Bahian countryside. His father worked as a doctor, and his mother taught elementary school. As a boy, he attended a Marist Brothers school. He lived in Ituaçu until age nine before returning to Salvador for his secondary education.
His interest in music started very early. He played drums and trumpet as a child and enjoyed listening to the radio. His mother supported his artistic ambitions by purchasing an accordion for him. She enrolled him in music school when he was ten years old. He initially studied classical music but developed a strong interest in Brazilian folk styles. He felt a deep connection to the work of Luiz Gonzaga, a famous accordionist who sang about the local world around him. During his time in Salvador, he also discovered the samba music of Dorival Caymmi and American jazz recordings.
Musical beginnings and Tropicália
While attending high school, he joined his first band, Os Desafinados. In this group, he played accordion, vibraphone, and provided vocals. The band played music influenced by American rock and roll and groups from Rio de Janeiro. He eventually chose the guitar as his main instrument after hearing João Gilberto. He met Caetano Veloso in 1963 at the Federal University of Bahia. They started performing together and became key figures in the 1960s música popular brasileira and Tropicália movements.
Their landmark 1968 album Tropicália: ou Panis et Circenses combined bossa nova with international rock influences. The Brazilian military government viewed these cultural developments as a threat. Authorities arrested Gil and Veloso in December 1968. They spent three months in prison and four months under house arrest. The government eventually ordered them to leave the country. They moved to London in 1969. While in exile, he performed with international bands including Pink Floyd and Yes. He also learned about reggae music, listening to artists like Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff.
Career as a politician and artist
He returned to Brazil and settled in Bahia in 1972. He continued his musical career while working as an environmental advocate and politician. He released the album Expresso 2222 that same year. Throughout the 1970s, he recorded several albums, including Realce and Refazenda. He also joined the Filhos de Gandhi performance group, which focused on Afro-Brazilian traditions during Carnaval.
His political work led to a significant role in government. He served as the Minister of Culture for Brazil from 2003 to 2008 under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. His musical work earned him multiple honors. He won the Best World Album award at the 41st Annual Grammy Awards for his live recording Quanta Live. He also received the Best Contemporary World Music Album award at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards for the album Eletracústico. Throughout his long career, he has received various international distinctions, including the Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour and the Order of Cultural Merit in Brazil.
Birthday and age
Gilberto Gil was born on June 26, 1942, which makes Gilberto 84 years old today. That birthday falls under the Cancer sign. Gilberto shares the date with 28 other famous people.
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