Zé Rodrix Explained

Zé Rodrix (pronounced as /pt/; 25 November 1947 – 22 May 2009) was a Brazilian composer, instrumentalist, and singer. He was well known in his native country for performing with musical ensembles Sá, Rodrix & Guarabyra, Som Imaginário and Momento Quatro.

A native of Rio de Janeiro, José Rodrigues Trindade used a modified spelling of his middle name as part of his stage name throughout a career that spanned over four decades. Som Imaginario, with another well-known member, Robertinho Silva, accompanied Milton Nascimento and Gal Costa^[1] and, in 1971, Elis Regina's recording of his rock-rural "Casa no Campo" (with Tavito) became a huge hit.^[2] During the 1970s, Sá e Guarabyra would continue as a duo while Rodrix pursued a solo career. Both acts played what they described as "rural rock", "a synthesis of the escapist dream depicted in the American folk-rock songs of the '60s within the reality of upcountry Brazil".^[3]

A longtime resident of São Paulo, Zé Rodrix died of natural causes at the age of 61.^[4]

Discography

Group albums

• 1968: Momento Quatro - with Momento Quatro (Philips)
• 1970: Som Imaginário - with Som Imaginário (Odeon)
• 1971: Passado, Presente & Futuro - with Sá, Rodrix e Guarabyra (Odeon)
• 1973: Terra - with Sá, Rodrix & Guarabyra (Odeon)
• 2001: Outra Vez na Estrada - Ao Vivo - with Sá, Rodrix & Guarabyra (Som Livre)
• 2008: Amanhã - with Sá, Rodrix & Guarabyra (Som Livre)

Solo albums

• 1973: I Acto (Odeon)
• 1974: Quem Sabe Sabe Quem Não Sabe Não Precisa Saber (Odeon)
• 1976: Soy Latino Americano (EMI-Odeon)
• 1977: Quando Será? (EMI-Odeon)
• 1979: Hora Extra (EMI-Odeon)
• 1979: Sempre Livre (RCA Victor)
• 1981: Seu Abelardo/Rock do Planalto (Continental)
• 1983: Saqueando a Cidade - with Joelho de Porco (Lira Paulistana/Continental)
• 1988: 18 Anos Sem Sucesso - with Joelho de Porco (Eldorado)

Soundtracks

• Batimam e Robim (1993)
• Oh! Rebuceteio (1984)
• Amor de Perversão (1982)
• Mulheres... Mulheres (1981)
• Viagem ao Céu da Boca (1981)
• Massacre em Caxias (1979)
• As Grã-Finas e o Camelô (1976)
• O Sexomaníaco (1976)
• O Esquadrão da Morte (1975)
• Corrida do Ouro (1975)
• Motel (1974)
• O Sexo das Bonecas (1974)
• Salve-se Quem Puder

Notes and References

1. Neder, Alvaro. Zé Rodrix biographical entry at Allmusic
2. ibid.
3. Neder, Alvaro. Descriptive sketch of the musical group Sá e Guarabyra at Allmusic
4. http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/ilustrada/ult90u569858.shtml Brief obituary of Zé Rodrix at Folha online (in Portuguese)