Paulo César dos Santos

Paulinho was born on 6 September 1952 in the city of Rio de Janeiro.

In the early 1970s, Paulinho was a vocalist and percussionist for a Rio dance band called Los Panchos Villa, alongside Kiko and Feghali, his future companions in Roupa Nova. At that time, he was already attending the performances of the band Os Famks, which had great influence on the night in Rio. In 1974, he received an invitation to sing and play in this second band. Shortly after entering, he invited Kiko to replace the guitarist.[2]

With a powerful and striking voice, Paulinho sang as the main vocalist in several songs of the Roupa Nova group, including striking hits like ""Canção de Verão", "Clarear", "Sensual" (in the original version of 1983), "Volta pra Mim", Whisky a Go-Go" (in the live version, in the album "Agora Sim", in "Roupacústico I" and in the album "Roupa Nova 30 anos"), "Linda Demais", "Meu Universo É Você", "Vício", "De volta pro futuro", "Chama", "Asas do Prazer", "Os Corações não São iguais", "Maria Maria", "Felicidade", as well as more recent songs such as "À Flor da Pele", "A Lenda", "A Metade da Maçã", "Frio da solidão" and "Já nem Sei mais" next to the duo Chitãozinho and Xororó, "Retratos Rasgados", "Reacender" next to Ben's Brother, recorded for the album Roupa Nova em Londres, from 2009 and "Sonhando Com Os Pés no Chão" from the album Todo Amor do Mundo, released at the end of 2015.[3] Other most recent hits were Luz de Emergência and Alma Brasileira, featured on the most recent album As Novas do Roupa released in 2019, and the single Noites Traiçoeiras, released on digital platforms in 2019.[4]

In addition to being a singer, Paulinho also held the role of percussionist in the band Roupa Nova. With Roupa Nova, Paulinho has already shared vocals with important names of national and international music such as The Commodores in Esse Tal de Repi Enroll, Ivete Sangalo in O Sal da Terra, Zélia Duncan in Feira Moderna, Elba Ramalho in Fé Cega, Faca Amolada, Marjorie Estiano in Flagra, Ben's Brother in Reacender, Fresno in Show de Rock'n Roll, Zezé Di Camargo and Luciano in Depende, Marcos & Belutti in Mar de Lágrimas, Tico Santa Cruz in Princípio de Um Novo Tempo and Angelica in Você, O Surf e Eu, entre outros.

In 2009, due to health problems, he was replaced in just three shows of the Roupa Nova by the former singer of the band Rádio Táxi, Maurício Gasperini. Soon he recovered and returned to activity. Paulinho has been with Roupa Nova since its original formation, over 40 years ago.[5]

With the group, he received in 2009 one of the biggest awards of the phonographic industry, the Latin Grammy for the best contemporary Brazilian pop album, a category in which Roupa Nova competed with names like Rita Lee, Ivete Sangalo, Skank and Jota Quest.[6][7]

Paulinho was the father of Pepê, drummer for the band Jamz, revealed on the Rede Globo's Super Star program.[8] He was also the father of the singer Twigg who recorded a duet with the Roupa Nova in the song O Barquinho, present in the double album commemorating the band's 35 years of career entitled Todo Amor do Mundo, released in late 2015.[9][10]

In August 2020, Paulinho was diagnosed with lymphoma.[11] In September, his treatment was done through an autologous bone marrow transplant, in which the patient's own stem cells are used.[12][13] In November, he contracted COVID-19[14] and his health deteriorated in the following weeks.[15] In November 2020, Paulinho was admitted to Hospital Copa D'Or, in Rio de Janeiro, with COVID-19 in the context of the coronavirus pandemic and he died on 14 December 2020.[16] The wake was held in an undisclosed location and restricted to family members, and his remains were cremated.[17]

Some songs credited to Paulinho were recorded by the group Roupa Nova and also by the singer and presenter Angélica.

• Paulo César dos Santos discography at Discogs