Gilberto Gil

Gilberto Gil (born June 26, 1942) is a Brazilian singer, guitarist and songwriter, and the country's current Minister of Culture. Gil is best known for his late 1960s tropicalismo recordings, including "Roda", "Lunik 9", and "Domingo No Parque", the latter of which bears striking similarities to "A Day in the Life" by the Beatles. Elis Regina recorded many of his songs.

Related Topics:
June 26 - 1942 - Brazil - Guitarist - Songwriter - Minister - Tropicalismo - The Beatles - Elis Regina

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He began his career as a bossa nova musician, but soon began writing songs that reflected a new focus on political awareness and social activism, along with fellow singer Caetano Veloso. In the 1970s, Gil added new elements of African and North American music to his already broad palette, and continued to release a steady stream of albums, including Realce and Refazenda. João Gilberto recorded Gil's "Eu Vim Da Bahia" ("I Came from Bahia") on his classic João Gilberto LP.

Related Topics:
Bossa nova - Caetano Veloso - João Gilberto

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In 1969, Gil and Veloso, whose status in Brazil was, and is, equivalent to that of John Lennon and Paul McCartney in the English-speaking world, were arrested by the military government of Brazil for anti-government activities. Upon their release, the pair both moved to London. Gil began playing with groups like Yes, Pink Floyd and the Incredible String Band, while continuing his solo career. In the 1970s, he toured the US and recorded an English-language album. He worked with Jimmy Cliff and released in 1980 a cover of "No Woman, No Cry" (Bob Marley & the Wailers) that was a massive hit and introduced reggae to Brazil.

Related Topics:
John Lennon - Paul McCartney - Military government of Brazil - London - Yes - Pink Floyd - Incredible String Band - US - Jimmy Cliff - Cover - Bob Marley & the Wailers - Reggae

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Gil continued recording, performing and involving himself in various social causes, and was eventually elected to office in Salvador, his hometown, in the early 1990s. His 1993 album with Caetano Veloso, Tropicália 2, featured a cover of a Jimi Hendrix song, "Wait Until Tomorrow", and is regarded as one of his finest efforts since the late 1960s.

Related Topics:
Salvador - Jimi Hendrix

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When President Lula da Silva took office in January 2003, he chose Gil to serve as Brazil's new Minister of Culture.

Related Topics:
Lula da Silva - January 2003

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During Ministry, Gil created along with Creative Commons the Sampling License which allows musicians to permit collages of their works. He released his songs Refazenda, Rebento and Refavela in sampling license.

Related Topics:
Creative Commons - Sampling License - Rebento - Refavela

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In May 2005 Gil was awarded the Polar Music Prize in Stockholm, Sweden. He was the first Latin American recipent of the annual award, which was given to him by the King of Sweden. Gil also performed four songs in an outdoors concert the day before the award show and again at the show with only two songs, accompanied by Jimmy Cliff.

Related Topics:
2005 - Polar Music Prize - Stockholm - Sweden - King of Sweden - Jimmy Cliff

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