Geraldo Meirelles

Origin

Casa Branca, SP

Years active

1940–1995

Genres

sertanejo, música caipira, samba de roda

Biography

Geraldo Meirelles, born in Casa Branca, São Paulo, on February 24, 1926, was a prominent Brazilian radio host, composer, and television presenter, widely recognized as the "Marshal of Sertaneja Music." He began his multifaceted career in 1940 as a radio announcer and circus actor, working at various radio stations in his hometown and later in São Paulo. His deep connection to sertaneja music, the traditional rural music of Brazil, was fostered by his brother-in-law, composer Athos Campos, leading Meirelles to host the program "Crepúsculo Sertanejo" in 1961. This marked the beginning of his significant contributions to the genre.

Meirelles's influence extended dramatically into television in 1962 when he launched "Canta Viola" on TV Cultura. This program was groundbreaking as the first sertaneja music show to run for over an hour, providing a vital platform for rural artists. The show later moved to TV Tupi in 1966 and then to TV Record in 1971, where it remained a staple until 1995. Beyond his role as a presenter, Meirelles also served as the artistic director for the Copacabana record label from 1970 to 1973. His dedication to preserving and promoting sertaneja music earned him immense respect within the Brazilian music scene.

As a composer, Geraldo Meirelles penned several successful songs, including "Poema Sertanejo," "Carrossel da Vida," "Eta Saudade," "Palavras de Amor e Fé," and "Samba de Roda." He played a crucial role in launching the careers of many artists, most notably suggesting the stage name "Chitãozinho & Xororó" to the duo. Despite a serious car accident in 1985, which led his son Marcelo Meirelles to take over the direction of "Canta Viola," Geraldo continued to contribute through his segment "Na Beira do Forno," dedicated to traditional root music. Geraldo Meirelles passed away in his hometown of Casa Branca on July 5, 2013, leaving behind a rich legacy in Brazilian popular music.