Roberto Carlos

Origin

Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, ES

Also known as

Roberto Carlos Braga, O Rei, Zunga

Years Active

1959

Genres

rock, jovem guarda, MPB, romantic, soul, funk, pop, bolero

Instruments

vocals, acoustic guitar, piano

Biography

Roberto Carlos, widely known as 'O Rei' (The King), is the most commercially successful solo artist in the history of Brazilian music. Born in Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, he began his musical journey in the late 1950s, initially influenced by Bossa Nova and Samba-canção. However, he soon pivoted to rock and roll, forming the group The Sputniks with childhood friend Tim Maia. His career skyrocketed in the 1960s as the face of the Jovem Guarda movement, a cultural phenomenon he led alongside his lifelong songwriting partner Erasmo Carlos and singer Wanderléa, which modernized the Brazilian music scene with international rock and beat influences.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Roberto Carlos transitioned from the high-energy rock of his youth toward a more sophisticated and soulful sound, eventually settling into the romantic ballad style that would define his mature career. During this period, he recorded iconic tracks like 'Detalhes' and 'Jesus Cristo,' and maintained a deep connection with the MPB scene, recording songs by composers such as Caetano Veloso. His ability to blend romanticism with elements of soul and funk, often guided by collaborators like the organist Lafayette, solidified his status as a national icon.

Over a career spanning seven decades, he has sold over 140 million albums worldwide. Beyond his studio recordings, Roberto Carlos became a staple of Brazilian television through his annual Christmas specials on Rede Globo, a tradition that began in 1974. His legacy is characterized by an autobiographical approach to songwriting, frequently addressing personal themes such as his childhood accident, his religious faith, and his various high-profile relationships, making him a central figure in the collective memory of Brazil.

Discography

• Louco por Você (1961)
• Splish Splash (1963)
• Parei na Contra Mão (1964)
• É Proibido Fumar (1964)
• Canta para a Juventude (1965)
• Quero que Vá Tudo pro Inferno (1965)
• Roberto Carlos Canta A La Juventud (1965)
• Jovem Guarda (1965)
• Roberto Carlos (1966)
• Esqueça = Forget Him (1966)
• Canta para a Juventude (1966)
• Só Vou Gostar de Quem Gosta de Mim (1967)
• Roberto Carlos em Ritmo de Aventura (1967)
• Namoradinha de um Amigo Meu (1967)
• O Inimitável (1968)
• Canzoni Per Te (1968)
• Canzone Per Te (1968)
• Roberto Carlos (1969)
• É Meu, É Meu, É Meu (1969)
• Yo Te Amo, Te Amo, Te Amo = Eu Te Amo, Te Amo, Te Amo (1970)
• Roberto Carlos (1970)
• Sergei Prokofiev - Roberto Carlos, New York Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein – Pedro e o Lobo, Op. 67 (1970)
• Roberto Carlos (1971)
• Roberto Carlos (1972)
• Un Gato En La Obscuridad (1972)
• Por Amor/Agora Eu Sei (1972)
• Canta En Español (1972)
• Los Más Grandes Éxitos de Roberto Carlos En Mau Mau (1972)
• Roberto Carlos (1973)
• Roberto Carlos En Español... (1973)
• Canta En Español (1973)
• La Montaña (1973)
• San Remo 1968 (1976)
• Mi Querido, Mi Viejo, Mi Amigo (1979)
• Ao Vivo (1988)
• El Dia que Me Quieras (1996)
• Amor sem Limite (2000)
• Roberto Carlos Acústico (2001)
• Roberto Carlos (2002) (2002)
• Pra Sempre (2003)
• Pra Sempre ao vivo no Pacaembu (2004)
• Roberto Carlos (2005) (2005)
• Roberto Carlos Duetos (2006)
• Roberto Carlos e Caetano Veloso e a música de Tom Jobim (2008)
• Elas Cantam Roberto Carlos (2009)
• Emoções Sertanejas (Ao Vivo) (2010)
• Roberto Carlos em Jerusalém (2012)
• Duetos 2 (2014)
• Primera Fila (2015)
• Roberto Carlos em Las Vegas (Ao Vivo) (2015)
• Amor Sin Límite (2018)