The pioneers of Brazilian rock and roll 1959

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1959 was the year that the pioneers of Brazilian rock and roll emerged and became true "Rock n´Roll" stars. Out of thousands of performers, Nick Savoia, Celly Campelo, Tony Campelo, Lana Bittencourt, Demetrius, Cinderella, Regiane, Ronnie Cord and Hamilton de Giorgio climbed to success seemingly overnight. A number of instrumental bands like The Avalons, The Rebels, The Jordans and "Os incríveis" became girls´ hearthrobs. They enjoyed the same success in Brazil as the Beatles did in Europe and America years later.

[edit] Social development

Right after rock and roll took America by storm, Bill Haley and Elvis Presley also became liberating icons for Brazilian youth. The youth of Brazil felt that they were under sexual and educational oppression, as Brazilian society had been based on the standards and rules of the Catholic church at least since the 1930s. For example, looking at a strange boy or girl in public meant falling into public disgrace. With the advent of Rock and Roll, the Brazilian world began to change. Teenagers were not "only to be seen but not heard" anymore. However, the youth's first reaction was violent. Many movie theaters were totally wrecked during the showing of rock and roll movies. This went on for a couple of years until finally the young people decided that if American kids could do it, why couldn´t they? So, some radio disc-jockeys and recording companies set out to find new talents that could not only sing but who would also do it in perfect English.

This new social era led to a total transformation of customs,and outlived many other attempts to keep Brazil's social structure rooted in the older traditions and religious dogmas.