Rádio Táxi
| Industry | Music |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1981 |
| Founder | Wander Taffo, Gel Fernandes, Lee Marcucci, Willie de Oliveira |
| Headquarters | São Paulo , Brazil |
| Products | Pop rock music |
Rádio Táxi is a pop rock ensemble originating from São Paulo, Brazil, recognized for multiple chart-topping singles during the early to mid-1980s. The group was established in 1981 by guitarist Wander Taffo, drummer Gel Fernandes, bassist Lee Marcucci, and vocalist/keyboardist Willie de Oliveira, all of whom had previously been part of Rita Lee's supporting band, Tutti Frutti. The band rapidly attracted attention in the Brazilian music scene.
The name Rádio Táxi, coined by Nelson Motta, was attached to their debut album released in 1982. This initial record included notable tracks such as "Coisas de Casal"—composed by Rita Lee and Roberto de Carvalho—alongside "Dentro do Coração (Põe Devagar)" and "Garota Dourada." Their fame increased significantly with the follow-up album, Rádio Táxi 2, which featured the single "Eva," a Portuguese-language rendition of an Italian original by Umberto Tozzi. After the second album, Willie de Oliveira left the band and was succeeded by Maurício Gasperini, who took on vocal and keyboard duties. With Gasperini, Rádio Táxi released 6:56 in 1985 and Matriz in 1986, producing hits such as "Um Amor de Verão" and "Você se Esconde." The group dissolved in 1987, with members returning to session work, while Wander Taffo embarked on solo ventures and founded a São Paulo-based music institution inspired by the American Musicians Institute.
In 1993, Gel Fernandes and Lee Marcucci reformed Rádio Táxi alongside guitarist Marcinho Eiras; however, this iteration disbanded without issuing new recordings. The classic lineup from the mid-1980s reunited in 2000 following a collaboration with Brazilian singer and pianist Guilherme Arantes on a live album. Subsequently, they toured extensively and released a live album and DVD blending their classic repertoire with fresh compositions.
Guitarist Wander Taffo passed away in Brazil on May 14, 2008.
Discography
- Rádio Táxi (1982)
- Rádio Táxi 2 (1983)
- 6:56 (1985)
- Matriz (1986)
- Ao Vivo (2006)
References
- Alexandre, Ricardo. Dias de Luta: O rock e o Brasil dos anos 80. Arquipélago, Porto Alegre, 2013. ISBN 978-85-60171-39-2
External links
- Brazilian rock music groups
- Musical groups established in 1981
- Musical groups from São Paulo
- Musical groups disestablished in 1987
- Musical groups reestablished in 1993
- Musical groups disestablished in 2008
- 1981 establishments in Brazil
- 1987 disestablishments in Brazil
- 1993 establishments in Brazil
- 2008 disestablishments in Brazil