Brilliant Brasilian music legend Gilberto Gil has announced he will step down from his government position as Minister of Culture to again focus on his music. This just came across the AP wire a half hour ago:SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) — Gilberto Gil stepped down as Brazilian culture minister Wednesday, saying he wanted to dedicate more time to his music and his family.
The Grammy-winning musician, who revolutionized Brazilian music in the 1960s as a founder of the Tropicalism movement, had been culture minister since 2003, when President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva started his first term in office.
Gil tried to step down twice before but Silva had persuaded him to stay. This time the president accepted his resignation.
"I am leaving the government to dedicate more time to my artistic endeavors and to my family, which is growing with the addition of a new grandchild," Gil, 66, told a news conference. [1]
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Gil and longtime friend Caetano Veloso are credited with inventing the Tropicalism movement, a blend of rock and bossa nova.Tropicalism eventually influenced such musicians as David Byrne, Paul Simon and Beck, but the political content of its lyrics offended the nation's 1964-1985 military dictatorship. Both Gil and Veloso were jailed in 1968 and lived in exile in London from 1969 to 1972.
Gil has sold millions of records over his 45-year career, and won a Grammy in 1998 for best world music album. [2]
Tropicalism eventually influenced such musicians as David Byrne, Paul Simon and Here's a favorite of mine featuring Gil & Caetono Veloso, 'Alguem Me Avisou' by Maria Bethânia.
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