PAULO SERGIO 1968 - 1975

Paulo Sergio de Macedo was born on 10 March 1944 in Alegre-ES. His father Carlos Beath de Macedo was a taylor and Paulo started learning the trade when he was 10 years old. Even before that, in 1950, when Paulo was only 6 years old, he took part in a gong-show at an Alegre radio station and won the 1st prize. He obviously had a powerful voice and could hold a tune. 

In 1954, father Carlos and mother Hilda Paula decided to move the family to Rio de Janeiro-DF. They went to live in the northern suburb of Bras de Pina. At 15, Paulo worked as a shop assistant at Casas Rei da Voz, a record-shop & electrical appliances in Bonsucesso-DF. 

Paulo Sergio played the guitar and started going around radio stations to get a chance to perform. He accompanied himself at Jair Taumaturgo's popular 'Hoje é dia de rock' (Today is rock's day) at Radio Mayrink Veiga, which was not a gong-show. He also sang at Rossini Pinto's 'Clube do Rock' on TV Tupi. 

It was doing the rounds of amateur shows that Paulo Sergio stumbled into a great chance. Actor-director Aurelio Teixeira and his crew were shooting a movie called 'Na onda do iê iê iê', when Paulo was to compete as best singer at Chacrinha's 'A hora da buzina' on TV Excelsior, Channel 2, the most popular gong-show in the country. 

Paulo ended up winning the competition and being filmed 'live' at the TV auditorium. The footage was included in the final cut and it actually shows a teen-idol in the making. That is, the future Poor People's King of Pop - as opposed to Roberto Carlos 'King of Pop, period' - was actually caught on camera while he was climbing up to stardom. 

a 22 year-old Paulo Sergio sings 'Sentimental demais' at Chacrinha's TV show.

As alredy stated, in 1966, director Aurélio Teixeira shot 'Na Onda do iê iê iê' to cash in on the huge popularity Brazilian rock had achieved since mid-1965 when 'Jovem Guarda' a Sunday-afternoon rock-show went on air on TV Record in São Paulo and on Saturdays on TV Rio, Channel 13. 

The movie had a thin plot and a lot of musical numbers between action scenes of actors Renato Aragão, Silvio Cesar and Dedé Santana. The songs featured in the film were: Renato & Seus Blue Caps' 'Não quero ver você chorar', Os Vips' 'Longe, tão perto', Wilson Simonal's 'Mamãe passou açucar em mim', The Brazilian Bitles' 'Vem meu amor', The Fevers' 'Preciso de você', Rosemary's 'Que bom seria',  Clara Nunes' 'Amor quando é amor' and Wanderley Cardoso's 'Promessa'.  

Teixeira had a small budget and decided to shoot a whole sequence at TV Excelsior's 'A hora da buzina' the most popular gong-show in the nation presented by DJ Chacrinha, a crazy MC that copied Harpo Marx's clothes and had a horn attached to his person which he used against those acts he demeed not good enough to keep on performing whatever they were suppose to do. 

In the movie, a 22 year-old Paulo Sergio carrying his acoustic guitar is a candidate who will tr and sing 'Sentimental demais' an Altemar Dutra's tune. Paulo had then a clear, high-pitched voice and was very tuneful. Chacrinha nods his approval after listening to a few bars of Paulo Sergio's singing. He has a chance to finish the tune, getting a lot of applause from the audience and going on to sit at the throne of 'best singer'. 

see Paulo Sergio singing in the film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYwy4AQK6g8

Sometime in 1967, Paulo had a friend who asked him to accompany him in a test he was doing for Caravele, an independent label who was looking for new talents for their rock roster.

The test was done by Alvaro Menezes, who played guitar in Os Selvagens, a rock band, and worked as a talent-scout for this uncle Renato Gaetani the owner of MP Gaetani that would soon turn into Caravelle Records. Alvaro thought Paulo Sergio had potential and convinced his uncle to record him. Even before recording, Paulo would sing 'Benzinho' at Haroldo de Andrade's weekly show at TV Excelsior and was mobbed by fans. 

Feeling that Paulo Sergio was a potential teen-idol, Alvaro took him to Rossini Pinto's studio to record 'Benzinho' a translation or adaptation of a 1960 Johnny Restivo hit called 'Dear Someone', a ballad written by Cy Coben, translated by Maurileno Rodrigues. The B-side was provided by the studio's owner: 'A lagartinha' (Rossini Pinto-Paulo Brunner). 

That's when Carlos Roberto gets into the picture. Carlos Roberto Nascimento was a singer-song-writer from Governador Valadares-MG who came to Rio de Janeiro to try his luck. Somehow he got in contact with Caravelle Records and was given a chance to show his songs accompanied by his acoustic guitar. Among many songs Paulo Sergio liked one in particular: 'A última canção' (The last song) a dramatic tale about a whining guy being snubbed by his lover; he still loves her and is writing his last song ever about the hideous trollop. 

It was a plaintive tune and Renato Gaetani didn't spare expenses to have it recorded in grand style. They sensed they had a hit in their hands and hired a whole orchestra for a lush accompaniment. The record turned out really good but what really surprised everyone was how similar Paulo Sergio's voice was to that of Roberto Carlos' - the King of Brazilian pop music. 

As soon as 'A última canção' hit the radio stations everyone thought it was sung by Roberto Carlos! No one could tell the difference between them! Some say Paulo Sergio has a similar voice to that of Roberto Carlos. Yes, they have similar types of voice, but Paulo Sergio made a point of singing exactly like Roberto on that particular tune: intonation and delivery was identical to Roberto Carlos'. 

'A ultima canção' went straight to #1 at the charts. It was the best selling song for 1968. Paulo Sergio had arrived! He went back to the studios and recorded a whole album that was released sooner than later containing 'No dia em que parti' a Carlos Roberto song that became Paulo Sergio's 2nd hit. 

Before 1968 was over, Caravelle had released 2 Paulo Sergio singles, 2 albums and an EP. It was like Paulo-Sergio-mania!

PAULO SERGIO  -  1968  -  His 1st album went to #1 in the charts:

1. No dia em que parti (Carlos Roberto)  -  The day I went away
2. Gosto muito de você (Elizabeth)  -  I like you very much 
3. Sorri, meu bem (Maurileno Rodrigues-Paulo Sergio)  - Smile, my dear
4. Se você voltar (Nenéo)  -  If you'll come back 
5. Não sei te esquecer (Elizabeth)  -  I don't know how to forget you
6. Para o diabo os conselhos de vocês (Nenéo-Carlos Imperial)  -  To hell all your advices 

1. Não me trate como um cão (Reinaldo Rayol-Renato Correia)  -  Don't treat me like a dog 
2. A última canção (Carlos Roberto)  -  The last song 
3. Não quero mais você (Paulo Sergio)  -  I don't want you  anymore 
4. Quando a saudade apertar (Carlos Roberto)  -  When homesickeness is too much
5. Doce ilusão (Wilson Tavares)  -  Sweet ilusion 
6. Do nosso lar (Dias Soares-Jovenil Santos)  -  From our home

Paulo Sergio's 2nd album in 1968, was hastily produced trying to cash in on the initial impact of 'A última canção' and 'No dia em que parti'.  

PAULO SERGIO 2  -  1968 

1. Pelo amor de Deus (Martinha)  -  For God's sake 
2. Não consigo esquecer você (Roberto Paulo)  -  I can't get to forget you
3. Distância ingrata (Carlos Roberto)  -  Terrible distance
4. Veja (Sidney Quintela)  -  See 
5. Sou feliz morrendo assim (Sidney Quintela)  -  I am happy to die this way 
6. Não vou esquecer (Elizabeth)  -  I won't forget 

1. Não fico (Nenéo)  -   I won't stay 
2. Por tudo que há de mais sagrado (Elizabeth)  -  For the sake of what you hold the holiest 
3. Não brinque comigo (Fernando Sanxo-Paulo Sergio)  -  Don't play with me 
4. Amor sem fim (Nenéo)  -  Endless love 
5. Menina triste (Carlos Roberto)  -  Sad girl 
6. Manhã de esperança (Elizabeth)  -  Morning of hope 

PAULO SERGIO 3  -  1969

1. Amanhã espera por nós (Sidney Quintela)  -  Tomorrow waits for us
2. Faça o que quiser de mim (Carlos Roberto)  -  Do what you want of me 
3. Estou só (Eustáquio Sena-Paulo Sergio)  -  I'm lonely
4. Será que você não tem coração? (Maurileno-Paulo Sergio)  -  You ain't got a heart
5. Não vejo a hora de voltar aos seus braços (Eustáquio Sena-Paulo Sergio) - I can't wait to be back in your arms
6. Chega (Maurileno Rodrigues-Paulo Sergio) - Stop 

1. Sai de mim (Reginaldo Rossi)  -  Let me loose 
2. Ninguém pode proibir que eu te ame (Maurileno-Paulo Sergio) - No one can stop me from loving you 
3. Não quero saber de você nunca mais (Maurileno-Paulo Sergio) - I don't want to know about you anymore 
4. Felicidade para nós dois (Maurileno-Fernando Sanxo) - Happiness for us two
5. Vou ver meu amor (Tony Damito) - I'm going to see my love 
6. Vai ser feliz quem ganhar meu coração (Maurileno-Paulo Sergio) - Who'll have my heart will be happy 

bonus: 1. Minha madrinha (Paulo Sergio-Eustáquio Sena) 
pot pourri: 'Benzinho', 'Se você voltar', 'A última canção', 'No dia que eu parti', 'Sorri,meu bem', 'Pelo amor de Deus', 'Não vou querer', 'Veja', 'Não fico aqui', 'Vou pedir outra vez'. 

Paulo Sergio's 3rd album had a bonus: a 33 rpm 7" single containing 'Minha madrinha' b/w a medley in which he sang his greatest hits so far accompanied by singer-song-writer Carlos Roberto and his acoustic guitar.

The 3rd album yielded no hit except for 'Minha madrinha' that was the 'bonus-track'. 'Minha madrinha' is actually a samba which was very unusual for rock singers to record. If Paulo Sergio had a motto it would be that of self-pity. He surely had a big chip on his shoulder.

Self-pity and the feeling of being wronged by an individual (usually a lover) or by society as a whole was a constant theme in Sergio's ouvre. Not only Paulo Sergio's songs but it pervaded almost the whole universe of the so-called Jovem Guarda - that kind of soft rock that originated in the translations of Anglo rock hits since 1957. 

There may be reasons for this negative reading of life. Maybe life was really hard in Brazil in the 1960s. Harder than in the advanced industrialized countries of Europe and North America. Self-pity was a constant theme in all Jovem Guarda's acts.  

In 'Minha madrinha' (My godmother) Paulo sings about being snubbed by his own godmother who would not treat him well because he was a singer with no hit on his hands. 

If you really pay attention to the themes Paulo sings in his albums you'll see that unrequitted love is high on his agenda. But revenge comes a close second. Revenge against someone who overlooked him or didn't give him his proper credit.  

Paulo Sergio had natural curly hair which he dutily straightened as the 1960's fashion dictated. 

Is my hair straight enough?

Paulo Sergio in full teen-idol mode.

Paulo Sergio ready to take up Latin America with his 1st album sung in Spanish.

PAULO SERGIO 4  -  1970

1. Você não presta (Alberto Luiz)  -  You ain't no good 
2. A verdade é diferente (Nenéo)  -  Truth is different
3. Não creio em mais nada (Totó)  -  I don't believe in anything 
4. Eu não sei, eu não sei (Maurileno-Paulo Sergio)  -  I don't know, I don't know
5. Preciso acreditar (Maurileno-Paulo Sergio) -  I must believe 
6. Não importa o que os outros falam (Maurileno-Paulo Sergio) - I doesn't matter what they say

1. Eu quero ver você viver sem mim (Maurileno-Paulo Sergio) - I want to see you living without me
2. Não precisa deixar nada (Maurileno-Paulo Sergio) - You don't need to leave anything behind
3. A procura de um novo amor (Maurileno-Paulo Sergio) - Looking for a new love 
4. Fujo de mim (Alberto Luiz)  -  I flee from myself 
5. O quanto eu te amo (Maurileno-Paulo Sergio) - How much I love you 
6. Eu venho de longe só por causa de você (Maurileno-Paulo Sergio) - I come from afar only because of you. 

Paulo Sergio had a negative agenda since he started out but he hit his nadir with 'Não creio em mais nada' (I don't believe in anything) written by someone called Toto. See the translation below: 

I don't know what I do; my life is an ever ending struggle. I feel like hanging in the air always looking for myself. 

chorus: There are days in life when one thinks one will never succeed; that it'd be better leave everything and flee; that in another world everything will be easier.

I don't know what to do; whether I go back or go on like this. I feel like I'm in space and I don't know whether it's worthwhile to insist. 

I don't believe in anything; I have already lost myself on the way; I don't ever look for tenderness anymore; I have already got used to being alone; my whole life I have only treaded in thorns; I have found out that my destiny is to suffer. 

Paulo Sérgio tornou-se muito amigo de Alvaro a quem pedia conselhos sobre os mais diversos assuntos, até mesmo sobre a compra de seus dois primeiros carrões, um Mustang e um Cadillac Presidencial! Na época, o motorista de Paulo Sérgio era Tony Damito, o qual tempos depois, também gravou um disco com a ajuda de Paulo Sérgio e Alvaro.

1972

Paulo Sergio and Roberto Carlos finally meet in 1972. Looking at the photos one can see they had a pretty friendly chat. Look at the body language: Paulo Sergio leaning his arms on the King's shoulders. How much closer can one get?

Paulo Sergio sings at Chacrinha's discotheque. 

By 1971, with Paulo Sergio's initial novelty worn off, he got into a groove of 'medium success'. Paulo had a faithful following but he didn't sell the same amount of records as the first 2 years.

In 1972, Caravelle would be merged with Beverly, a subsidiary of Copacabana Discos, so all Paulo Sergio's albums would be re-released by this new label. 

In 4 March 1972, Paulo Sergio married Raquel Teles Eugênio, a young lady he had met accidentaly when their cars collided lightly. They tied the knot in Castilho-SP, a town 642 km west of São Paulo City. It was a secret deal because Paulo thought his fans wouldn't accept him as a married man. Paulo's only son, Rodrigo Macedo was born in 23 May 1974. He had already two daughters with other women: Paulo Mara (died in 2011) and Jaqueline Lira.

Throughtout the 1970s Paulo Sergio had a few hits like 'India' in 1973, 'Minhas qualidades, meus defeitos' in 1974 and 'Eu te amo, eu te venero' in 1978. 

Paulo Sergio visits magazine Melodias.

Paulo Sergio in Mogi das Cruzes-SP, at 'Melodias' - January 1969.

Wanderley Cardoso sings while Paulo Sergio amuses himself with something looked on by Angelo Maximo. 

Paulo Sergio in hospital - Intervalo 333 - 1969.

Fernando Mendes, Paulo Sérgio, Ângelo Máximo e Claudio Fontana ouvem Clara Nunes no Programa Silvio Santos em 1975, na TV Tupi. 

Carlos Roberto who wrote 'A última canção', in an album released by independent label Cantagalo. 

Carlos Roberto Nascimento was born in Governador Valadares-MG. It's been rumoured he died in 12 APR 2009 in Rio de Janeiro-RJ. 

1. Quero ter você nos braços meus (Fernando Sanxo)

2. Confia (Roberto Carlos)

3. Humilhado (Alexandre Alves-Zito de Souza)

4. P'ra você ser meu bem (Carlos Roberto)

5. Escute meu bem (Vicente Rodrigues)

6. Novo amor (Carlos Roberto-Cassio Geraldo)

1. Você me destruiu (Carlos Roberto)

2. Preciso ver sorriso em seu olhar (Carlos Roberto)

3. Menina flor (Eustáquio Aleixo)

4. Garota ingrata (Carlos Roberto)

5. Mais um dia (Carlos Roberto)

6. Pinochio (Michel) 

Paulo Sergio died in 29 July 1980 in São Paulo.

read more about Paulo Sergio: http://beldadedaminhavida.blogspot.com.br/2010/12/paulo-sergio.html

Elizabeth, who had been wasting her time at RCA Victor was signed by Caravelle and became the second best selling act in the independent label. She contributed with a few of her songs to Paulo Sergio's albums.

Elizabeth who had lingered at RCA for a while, signed with Caravelle and had a major hit with 'Sou louca por você'.

INCIDENTE QUE LEVOU À MORTE DE PAULO SERGIO 

No sábado, 26 Julho 1980, Paulo Sergio bebeu do dia inteiro perto de seu sítio em Itapecirica da Serra e faltou nos vários shows que faria naquela noite.

Domingo de manhã, 27 Julho 1980, Paulo Sérgio fez sua última apresentação na TV, gravando o Programa do Bolinha (Edson Cury) na TV Bandeirantes, onde cantou “O que mais você quer de mim” e “Coroação”.

Ele saiu do auditório para pegar seu carro, estacionado próximo à Avenida Brigadeiro Luíz Antônio, envolvendo-se num acidente que, talvez, tenha provocado sua morte.

Várias fãs o cercaram. Queriam beijos, autógrafos, carinhos, fotografias. Uma delas, Oneida Maria Xavier di Loreto, agressivamente, começou a comentar fatos relacionados à vida íntima do cantor e sua mulher, Raquel Telles Eugênio de Macedo.

Para evitar encrencas os amigos trataram de afastar Paulo dela, enquanto a moça garantia que ainda tinha muito a dizer. Já nervoso, Paulo Sérgio deu partida em seu carro, mas, quando manobrou o veículo, foi atingido por uma pedrada no para-brisa. Fora de si, ele desceu do automóvel e partiu em perseguição à moça. Esta se refugiou no interior de um edifício, para onde o zelador não permitiu que Paulo a seguisse. Furioso, Paulo avaliou os danos causados ao veículo e aguardou alguns minutos, na calçada, que a garota voltasse à rua.

Seus acompanhantes procuraram acalmá-lo. Ele ainda teria de fazer três apresentações, antes que o domingo terminasse. Finalmente, o convenceram a esquecer o incidente e sair dali. Rumaram para uma pizzaria em Moema. Paulo tentou, mas não conseguiu comer direito. Tinha muita dor de cabeça e nenhum apetite.

A primeira apresentação foi no Grajaú. Quando terminou de cantar, Paulo chamou Luiz Antonio Mendes, seu secretário, pedindo a ele que encontrasse uma farmácia e providenciasse comprimidos para sua dor de cabeça, que estava cada vez mais violenta. Ingeriu dois de uma só vez e partiu para Itapecerica da Serra. Mas lá só conseguiu cantar quatro músicas. A sua cabeça latejava dolorosa e implacavelmente e a sua visão estava começando a ficar turva. Ele cambaleou até o camarim. Logo depois, os amigos o encontraram alternando-se entre gemidos e gritos de dor e tendo tremores por todo o corpo. Foi levado até o micro-ônibus e transportado para o Hospital Piratininga, de onde o enviaram para o Hospital São Paulo, já chegando em estado de coma. O diagnóstico foi rápido e assustador: Paulo Sérgio tivera um derrame cerebral.

Paulo Sérgio foi internado na UTI. Teve início assim uma desesperada batalha pela sua sobrevivência. Amigos e parentes foram alertados. Apesar de preocupados, todos, tanto familiares como fãs e equipe médica, estavam confiantes até aquele momento. Afinal, ele era um homem forte, sadio… e com apenas 36 anos. Com esse perfil, todos acreditavam que não havia motivo para que se duvidasse de sua recuperação.

Na manhã de segunda-feira, 28 de julho, os corredores do hospital já estavam repletos de pessoas que queriam ver e saber alguma notícia sobre o estado de Paulo Sérgio. O otimismo já cedia lugar a um certo desespero. Afora os familiares, ninguém mais naquele momento tinha autorização para entrar na UTI, onde ele se encontrava.

As reações de Paulo Sérgio continuavam desfavoráveis. O Dr. Pimenta, chefe da equipe que incansavelmente tentava reabilitar o cantor, após exames minuciosos, revelou aos familiares de Paulo que suas possibilidades de sobrevivência já eram mínimas, quase nulas. Mesmo assim, a luta prosseguia. No hospital, a vigília permanecia continua. Mais uma noite e o estado de saúde de Paulo Sérgio, ao invés de melhorar, se agravou.

Às 14 horas e trinta minutos de terça-feira, 29 de julho, já não havia a menor possibilidade de melhora. O cantor Paulo Sérgio estava praticamente sem vida, apenas os aparelhos mantinham sua respiração e seus batimentos cardíacos. Às 20:30, foi anunciado o fim de sua longa e dolorosa agonia. Apesar de todo o esforço feito para salvá-lo, Paulo Sérgio estava morto.

Durante a madrugada e a manhã seguinte o corpo do cantor ficou exposto para visitação no velório do Cemitério de Vila Mariana, em São Paulo. Atendendo ao pedido dos pais de Paulo Sérgio, o seu corpo foi sepultado no Rio de Janeiro. Na capital carioca, o velório ocorreu no Cemitério do Caju. Entre os cantores e artistas famosos que prestaram suas últimas homenagens, podemos citar Antônio Marcos, Jerry Adriani, Agnaldo Timóteo, Renato Aragão e Zé Rodrix. O cantor Roberto Carlos estava fora do país e não pôde comparecer, mas enviou uma coroa de flores com os seguintes dizeres: Meu coração está em luto, pois morreu meu grande amigo.

Às 16 horas do dia 30 julho 1980 (quarta-feira), seu corpo baixou à sepultura ao som de 'Última canção'. Paulo Sergio, morto prematuramente aos 36 anos.