Os Santos

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Years active

1965

Genres

rock, jovem guarda, instrumental rock

Instruments

guitar, bass, drums, vocals

Biography

Formed in Rio de Janeiro in 1965, Os Santos emerged during the vibrant Jovem Guarda era of Brazilian music. Initially a rock instrumental group, they quickly incorporated vocals and gained recognition for their energetic performances and diverse repertoire, which spanned from The Beatles and The Rolling Stones to Brazilian romantic classics.

Their career gained momentum after accompanying Ronnie Von on his first single, "Meu Bem," leading to a contract with Polydor Records. In 1966, they released a double EP featuring "Satisfaction (I Can't Get No)" and a Portuguese version of The Beatles' "The Night Before," titled "A Noite Que Passou." Despite a period of reduced activity, they received a significant boost from producer Carlos Imperial, which resulted in the release of three instrumental LPs on the Equipe label, including two Christmas-themed albums.

Os Santos's instrumental album "XII Maravilhas em IÊ, IÊ, IÊ" (1968) was particularly lauded, receiving international praise and considered one of the best in its genre at the time. The band's ability to blend diverse influences into their own unique sound captivated the youth of mid-60s Brazil, leaving a notable mark on the country's rock music scene.