Pepeu Gomes

Origin

Salvador, BA

Also known as

Pedro Anibal de Oliveira Gomes, Pepeu

Years Active

1963

Genres

MPB, rock, samba, frevo, choro, pop, maracatu, world music

Instruments

electric guitar, acoustic guitar, mandolin, bass guitar

Biography

Pepeu Gomes, born Pedro Anibal de Oliveira Gomes in Salvador, is a virtuoso guitarist, singer, and composer who stands as one of the most influential figures in Brazilian music. He gained national fame as a founding member and the primary arranger of the legendary group Novos Baianos. His unique playing style seamlessly bridges the gap between the Jimi Hendrix-inspired electric rock and traditional Brazilian mastery found in genres like samba, choro, and frevo.

His professional journey began in his teens with bands like Os Minos and Os Leif's. A defining moment in his early career was being invited by Gilberto Gil to play in the historic "Barra 69" farewell concert alongside Caetano Veloso before their political exile. Throughout the 1970s, Pepeu was the musical architect of Novos Baianos, contributing to the masterpiece "Acabou Chorare." During this period, he also replaced Lanny Gordin as the guitarist for Gal Costa during her iconic "Fa-tal" tour, cementing his reputation as a top-tier instrumentalist.

As a solo artist starting in the late 1970s, Pepeu transitioned into a pop star with hits such as "Masculino e Feminino" and "Eu também quero beijar." His technical brilliance earned him international acclaim, including being named one of the ten best guitarists in the world by Guitar World magazine in 1988. He maintained a long-standing personal and professional partnership with Baby do Brasil (formerly Baby Consuelo), and despite being invited to join international bands like Megadeth and Living Colour, he chose to remain a central figure in the Brazilian music scene.

Discography

• Geração de Som (1978)
• Na Terra a Mais de Mil (1979)
• Ao Vivo (1980)
• Live in Montreux (1980)
• Pepeu Gomes (1981)
• Calor Humano (1981)
• Um Raio Laser (1982)
• Masculino e Feminino (1983)
• Energia Positiva (1985)
• Pepeu Gomes (1988)
• Barão Vermelho & Pepeu Gomes – Não Me Acabo/Amor ou Romance (1988)
• Instrumental On The Road (1989)
• Moraes & Pepeu (1989)
• Moraes & Pepeu – A Lua e o Mar (1989)
• On the Road (1989)
• Moraes e Pepeu no Japão (1990)
• Pepeu Gomes (1993)
• Meu Coração (1999)
• De Espírito em Paz, Pepeu Gomes Ao Vivo (2004)
• Eu Não Procuro o Som (2011)
• Moraes Moreira, Pepeu Gomes – Moraes & Pepeu Ensaio (2012)
• Alto da Silveira (2015)
• Eterno Retorno (2018)
• Baby e Pepeu (Ao Vivo no Noites Cariocas) (2022)
• Sesc Pompéia (Ao Vivo) (2025)
• Moraes & Pepeu – Bem Viver
• Masculino e Feminino Prueba de Impresion