Dinho Leme

Origin

Campo Grande, MS

Also known as

Ronaldo Poliseli Leme

Years active

1960s–2013

Genres

rock, psychedelic rock, mpb

Instruments

drums

Biography

Ronaldo Poliseli Leme, better known as Dinho Leme, is a renowned Brazilian drummer born in Campo Grande on July 22, 1949. Growing up in the interior of São Paulo, he was inspired by his older brother to learn the drums, quickly becoming a professional musician by his mid-teens playing dances across São Paulo and Paraná. After moving to São Paulo in 1965, he began teaching music and eventually entered the vibrant tropicalia scene through collaborations with artists like Ronnie Von and Jorge Ben.

His career reached a major milestone when he became a member of the iconic psychedelic rock band Os Mutantes in 1970, participating in legendary recordings and performances alongside fellow musicians like Sérgio Dias and Liminha. Beyond his work with Os Mutantes, Leme contributed to recordings by artists such as Erasmo Carlos and played an active role in the music scene as a curator for the Águas Claras festivals. Although he stepped away from full-time professional drumming in 1973 to venture into automotive journalism alongside his brother Reginaldo Leme, he triumphantly returned to the stage for Os Mutantes' historic reunion in 2006.

Leme continued to perform globally with Os Mutantes until his departure for health reasons in 2013, cementing his legacy in Brazilian rock history. His journey intertwines with other giants of Brazilian music, marking an era of immense cultural experimentation. Through decades of dedication, he remains one of the most respected percussionists of the tropicalia and psychedelic movements in Brazil.