Zé Ramalho

Origin

Brejo do Cruz, PB

Also known as

José Ramalho Neto

Years Active

1974

Genres

MPB, folk rock, psychedelic rock, forró, rock n roll

Instruments

vocals, acoustic guitar

Biography

Zé Ramalho is a prominent Brazilian singer-songwriter and musician known for his deep, resonant voice and a unique musical style that blends Northeastern Brazilian folk traditions with rock, psychedelia, and folk rock. Born in the arid region of Paraíba, he was heavily influenced by the 'cordel' literature of his youth and the 'Jovem Guarda' movement. His early career is marked by the rare and highly sought-after psychedelic album 'Paêbirú', recorded in 1975 with fellow musician Lula Côrtes.

After moving to Rio de Janeiro in the mid-1970s, he achieved mainstream success with his self-titled 1977 solo debut, which featured the iconic track 'Avôhai'. His popularity soared during the late 70s and early 80s with albums such as 'A Peleja do Diabo com o Dono do Céu'. Ramalho is also celebrated for his participation in the acoustic supergroup 'O Grande Encontro', alongside other MPB giants like Elba Ramalho, Alceu Valença, and Geraldo Azevedo. This project revitalized his career and solidified his status as a legendary figure in Brazilian music.

Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Zé Ramalho remained a prolific force, releasing several tribute albums to his primary influences, including Raul Seixas, Luiz Gonzaga, and Jackson do Pandeiro. He also demonstrated his versatility through unexpected collaborations, such as his performance with the heavy metal band Sepultura at Rock in Rio. His music remains a staple of Brazilian culture, frequently appearing as themes in popular national 'novelas'.

Discography

• Lula Côrtes e Zé Ramalho – Paêbirú (1975)
• Paêbirú (Produção 1975) (1975)
• Paêbirú (Produção 1976) (1976)
• Zé Ramalho (1978)
• Avôhai Ao Vivo em São Paulo (1978) (1978)
• Avôhai Ao Vivo no Rio (1978) (1978)
• A Peleja do Diabo com o Dono do Céu (1979)
• A Terceira Lâmina (1981)
• Força Verde (1982)
• Orquídea Negra (1983)
• Por Aquelas que Foram Bem Amadas ou pra Não Dizer que Não Falei de Rock (1984)
• De Gosto, de Água e de Amigos (1985)
• Opus Visionário (1986)
• Décimas de um Cantador (1987)
• Mary Mar (1987)
• Brasil Nordeste (1991)
• Frevoador (1992)
• Alceu Valença - Elba Ramalho - Geraldo Azevedo - Zé Ramalho – O Grande Encontro (1996)
• Cidades & Lendas (1996)
• 20 Anos Antologia Acústica (1997)
• Elba Ramalho, Geraldo Azevedo, Zé Ramalho – O Grande Encontro 2 (1997)
• O Grande Encontro II (1997)
• Eu Sou Todos Nós (1998)
• Box Zé Ramalho (1998)
• Ensaio (1999)
• Zé Ramalho, Elba Ramalho, Geraldo Azevedo – O Grande Encontro 3 (2000)
• Nação Nordestina (2000)
• Zé Ramalho Canta Raul Seixas (2001)
• RCA 100 Anos de Música (2001)
• O Gosto da Criação (2002)
• Estação Brasil (2003)
• Ao Vivo (2005)
• Zé Ramalho Ao Vivo 2005 (2005)
• Parceria dos Viajantes (2007)
• Zé Ramalho Canta Bob Dylan (2008)
• Zé Ramalho da Paraíba (2008)
• Zé Ramalho Canta Luiz Gonzaga (2009)
• Duetos (2009)
• Zé Ramalho Canta Jackson do Pandeiro (2010)
• Zé Ramalho Canta Beatles (2011)
• Sinais dos Tempos (2012)
• Fagner & Zé Ramalho – Ao Vivo (2015)
• Voz & Violão (1996) (2016)
• Zé Ramalho Sinfônico (ao Vivo) (2016)
• Voz & Violão - 40 Anos de Música (2016)
• Atlântida (2017)
• Anos 70 (Ao Vivo) (2017)
• Coletiva de Música Paraibana (2018)
• Um Dia Antes da Vida (2018)
• Zé Ramalho na Paraíba (2019)
• Cine Show Madureira 1979 (2019)
• As Mais Tocadas (2021)
• Ateu Psicodélico (2022)
• 20 Anos Antologia Acústica - Volume 1
• 20 Anos Antologia Acústica - Volume 2