Zé Ramalho

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For Zé Ramalho's self-titled debut album, see Zé Ramalho (album).

Zé Ramalho
Zé Ramalho performing live at the 2008 Virada Cultural in São Paulo, Brazil.
Zé Ramalho performing live at the 2008 Virada Cultural in São Paulo, Brazil.
Background information
Birth nameJosé Ramalho Neto
Born (1949-10-03) October 3, 1949 (age 74)
OriginBrejo do Cruz, Paraíba, Brazil
GenresBrazilian rock, folk rock, MPB, forró, folk, spoken word
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, guitarist
Instrument(s)Vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, harmonica, viola
Years active1975–present
LabelsEpic Records, CBS, Sony Music, Walt Disney, BMG, RCA, EMI

Zé Ramalho (born José Ramalho Neto on October 3, 1949 – Brejo do Cruz, Paraíba, Brazil) is a Brazilian composer and performer. Zé Ramalho has collaborated with various major Brazilian musicians, including Vanusa, Geraldo Azevedo and Alceu Valença.

As with many musicians back in his younger days, he was first influenced by rock and roll; however, at the age of 20, his music took a more Northeastern Brazilian approach. Zé Ramalho's lyrics however, are very influenced by the socio-economic difficulties faced by the average Brazilian.

Zé Ramalho is the first cousin of Elba Ramalho, a Brazilian composer and performer.

Biography[edit]

Early life: 1949–1974[edit]

Zé Ramalho was born to Estelita Torres Ramalho, an elementary school teacher, and Antônio de Pádua Pordeus Ramalho, a Seresta performer. When he was two years old, his father drowned in a reservoir[1][2] of the sertão, and he was then adopted by his grandfather. His love for his grandfather would later be expressed in the song "Avôhai".[2] After spending most of his childhood in Campina Grande, his family moved to João Pessoa. Ramalho went to medicine school at the Federal University of Paraíba.[3]

As soon as the family settled in João Pessoa, he took part of some Jovem Guarda performances, being influenced by Renato Barros, Leno e Lílian, Roberto Carlos & Erasmo Carlos, Golden Boys, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd and Bob Dylan.

In 1974, his first son, Christian, was born.

Before composing, he used to write Cordel literature.[4]

First works: 1974–1975[edit]

Also in 1974, he performed for Tânia Quaresma's movie Nordeste: Cordel, Repente e Canção soundtrack. At that time, he figured out a way to mix all the influences he received throughout his life: from Rock 'n' Roll to Forró. A year later, he recorded his first album, Paêbirú along with Lula Côrtes through the label Rozenblit (label) [pt]. Today the copies from this very rare vinyl are highly priced in the international collector's market.

Beginning of the major musical career:1975–1984[edit]

In 1976, he left medicine school and moved to Rio de Janeiro,[4] where he searched for a record label to release his first album. After being rejected by several producers and executives, he was finally accepted by Jairo Pires, from CBS.[3] In 1977, he recorded his second album (first solo), the self-titled Zé Ramalho. A year later, his second son, Wilson, was born. In 1979, the third son, João (born to him and to his wife Amelinha), came along the third album, A Peleja do Diabo com o Dono do Céu (also referred to as Zé Ramalho II). He then moved to Fortaleza in 1980, where he wrote and published his book "Carne de Pescoço" ("Neck Flesh"). The fourth album, A Terceira Lâmina, was released afterwards, and the fifth one, Força Verde, in 1982.

In 1983, he broke up with Amelinha. After releasing his sixth album, Orquídea Negra, he got married with Roberta, Amelinha's cousin, in 1984.

Small declining: 1985–1990[edit]

The mid eighties would witness a small decrease in Zé Ramalho's popularity, with the releases of the albums Pra Não Dizer Que Não Falei de Rock (or Por Aquelas Que Foram Bem Amadas) (1984), De Gosto de Água e de Amigos (1985), Opus Visionário (1986) and Décimas de um Cantador (1987). In 1990, he performed in the United States for a Brazilian audience.

Back to the top: 1991–2001[edit]

In 1991, his only sister, Goretti, died. Even though, he was able to record his eleventh album, Brasil Nordeste, and returned to his success times with the recording of the song "Entre a Serpente e a Estrela" for the soapopera "Pedra Sobre Pedra". In 1992, his fifth son, José, was born, and he released the twelfth album Frevoador. In 1995, he had his first daughter born: Linda.

In 1996, he recorded the album O Grande Encontro live with his cousin Elba Ramalho (who had already re-recorded a very successful version of his song "Chão de Giz") and the well known MPB names Alceu Valença and Geraldo Azevedo. In the same year, he released his thirteenth album Cidades e Lendas. The success of "O Grande Encontro" was so great that he decided to record it again in 1997 at the studio, this time without Alceu Valença though. The record sold 300,000+ copies, going Gold and Platinum. To celebrate his 20 years of career, he released the CD 20 Anos – Antologia Acústica. The record label Sony Music also released a box set containing three discs: one of rarities, one of duets and one of classics. Also to celebrate the 20 years, Brazilian author Luciane Alves released a book titled "Zé Ramalho – um Visionário do século XX" ("Zé Ramalho – a 20th Century Visionary").

Before the end of the millennium, another great hit: Admirável Gado Novo (first released in his second album in 1980) was the opening theme of the soap opera O Rei do Gado. He also released his fourteenth studio album, Eu Sou Todos Nós, and the sixteenth one, Nação Nordestina, in which he once again explored the music of his home land, the Nordeste. The album would later be a candidate for the Latin Grammy Award for Best Regional Music Album or of Brazilian Origins.

Continuing into the 3rd Millennium: 2001–2011[edit]

His first work of the 21st Century was the release of Zé Ramalho canta Raul Seixas, a cover album with songs by Raul Seixas. He then shared stage with Elba Ramalho in the Rock in Rio 3. In 2002, Som Livre releases a CD of his greatest hits, part of its "Perfil" series of Greatest Hits albums. Also in 2002, he released his seventeenth album, O Gosto da Criação.

In 2003, he released his eighteenth album, Estação Brasil, containing 19 recordings of his main Brazilian influences, and one new song. He guest appeared in the song Sinônimos ("Synonyms"), from Chitãozinho & Xororó's album, Aqui o Sistema é Bruto ("Here, the system is Brutal").

In 2005, he recorded his only live album, simply titled Zé Ramalho ao vivo. His latter album, Parceria dos Viajantes, was recorded in 2007 and was nominated for the Latin Grammy Award for Best Brazilian Popular Music Album.[5][6]

In 2008, he released a compilation of rarities called Zé Ramalho da Paraíba, followed by another cover album: Zé Ramalho canta Bob Dylan - Tá tudo mudando, a tribute to the American musician.

In 2009, a third cover album, Zé Ramalho Canta Luiz Gonzaga, was released, paying tribute to the Brazilian musician.[7] In 2010 and 2011, respectively, he released two more tribute albums: Zé Ramalho Canta Jackson do Pandeiro, in tribute to Jackson do Pandeiro, and Zé Ramalho Canta Beatles, in tribute to the Beatles.

Own record label: 2012–present[edit]

In 2012, Zé Ramalho created his own record label, Avôhai Music, through which he is releasing his first non-cover studio album since 2007: Sinais dos Tempos.[1][2] In September 2013, Zé Ramalho performed at Rock in Rio with Brazilian thrash metal band Sepultura – the line-up was labeled as "Zépultura", a portmanteau of both artists' names.[8][9][10][11]

In November 2014, Zé Ramalho released a collaborative live album with singer and acoustic guitarist Fagner, entitled Fagner & Zé Ramalho ao Vivo.[12]

Discography[edit]

Studio albums[edit]

Live albums[edit]

Compilations[edit]

Guest appearances[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Lichote, Leonardo (June 23, 2012). "Zé Ramalho estreia gravadora própria e lança primeiro CD de inéditas desde 2007". O Globo (in Portuguese). Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  2. ^ a b c Küchler, Adriana (June 24, 2012). "Zé e o fim do mundo" [Zé and the end of the world]. Folha de S.Paulo. Serafina (in Portuguese). Rio de Janeiro: 26.
  3. ^ a b Souza, Henrique Inglez de (October 5, 2018). "Especial Zé Ramalho Parte I: Quando o brejo cruzou a poeira". Rolling Stone Brasil (in Portuguese). Grupo Perfil. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Angelica (June 20, 2015). "Zé Ramalho relembra infância em passeio no Parque das Ruínas". Rede Globo. Rio de Janeiro: Grupo Globo. Archived from the original on June 23, 2015. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  5. ^ "O Norte Online – Zé Ramalho disputa o Grammy 2007 de Melhor Álbum de MPB". Archived from the original on June 20, 2009. Retrieved September 7, 2008.
  6. ^ Winners of the Latin Grammy Award
  7. ^ Saura, Michele (May 20, 2009). "Zé Ramalho lança novo CD homenageando Luiz Gonzaga" (in Portuguese). Entretendo.com. Archived from the original on May 27, 2009. Retrieved May 31, 2009.
  8. ^ Dias, Tiago (September 22, 2013). "Zé Ramalho ganha prestígio no dia do metal e toca com "Zépultura" no Sunset 28". UOL Música (in Portuguese). Rio de Janeiro: Grupo Folha. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  9. ^ Albuquerque, Carlos (September 22, 2013). "Crítica: Sepultura com Zé Ramalho dá certo e gera um fruto cantado pelo público: Zépultura". O Globo (in Portuguese). Rio de Janeiro: Grupo Globo. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  10. ^ Canônico, Marco Aurélio (September 22, 2013). "Rock in Rio 2013: 'Zépultura' domina o Palco Sunset". Veja (in Portuguese). Rio de Janeiro: Grupo Abril. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  11. ^ de Castro, Yuri (September 22, 2013). "Em grande encontro, Sepultura e Zé Ramalho viram 'Zépultura'". Folha de S. Paulo (in Portuguese). Rio de Janeiro: Grupo Folha. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  12. ^ Franco, Luiza (November 25, 2014). "Fagner e Zé Ramalho lançam CD conjunto; assista a entrevista". TV Folha. Grupo Folha. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g "Certificados" (in Portuguese). ABPD. Retrieved October 8, 2009.

External links[edit]

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