Os Baobás

Origin

São Paulo, SP

Years active

1965–1969

Genres

garage rock, beat music, psychedelic rock

Biography

Os Baobás were a Brazilian garage rock band formed in São Paulo in 1965. Initially named The Rubber Souls, they adopted the name Os Baobás, inspired by the African tree and the book "The Little Prince." The band was known for its repertoire of covers of popular American and British rock songs, often featuring tracks by artists like The Kinks, Love, and The Turtles that had not yet been released in Brazil. They also performed their own compositions.

Throughout their active years, Os Baobás played on television shows and performed live across Brazil, even backing artists like Ronnie Von and Caetano Veloso. They participated in the first Jovem Guarda festival in 1966, performing their version of The Rolling Stones' "Paint It Black." A notable member of the band was Arnolpho Lima Filho, better known as Liminha, who later became a prominent music producer and a member of Os Mutantes. Liminha's tenure with Os Baobás was brief, but he contributed to their recordings.

Os Baobás released four singles and one studio album, all under the Rozenblit record label. Their music evolved from a beat sound to incorporate psychedelic rock elements, culminating in their 1968 self-titled LP, which is now considered a rarity. Despite their relatively short career, Os Baobás left a mark on the Brazilian rock scene of the 1960s, particularly for their adventurous cover choices and their connection to other significant musical figures of the era.