Do Leme ao Pontal - Tim Maia
Not everyone knows him by the name Sebastião Rodrigues Maia, but certainly, from Leme to Pontal there isn't anyone who hasn't delighted in the songs of this discoverer of the seven seas, Tim Maia.
A Carioca, born in Tijuca on September 28, 1942, was the second-to-last of 19 siblings and became known as the manager of Brazilian music. He would show up and set things in order, even though he didn't much like following them himself.
With a career full of successes and much controversy, Tim Maia started composing at the age of eight and, at 14, formed his first musical group, Os Tijucanos do Ritmo. In 1957, he put together the band Os Sputniks together with Roberto Carlos.
After his father's death, in 1959, he went to the United States to learn English. There, he came into contact with soul music, which became part of his musical identity. It was in the U.S. that Tim Maia formed the vocal band The Ideals, with four other boys. In 1964, he was arrested for marijuana possession and deported to Brazil.
The Ideals group in their first studio recording. Source: Soul mais Tim website
Image description: This is a color photograph of six men in an indoor setting, possibly a recording studio. From left to right, the men are arranged in a straight line, with the one closest to the camera wearing a white shirt and black pants. Beside him is another man in a green shirt and black pants. Further to the right, two men are talking, both wearing white shirts and black ties. The last man, on the right, is also wearing a white shirt and black tie. On the back wall, there is a wall clock with Roman numerals and a hanging microphone boom. The lighting is soft, with yellow lights on the ceiling.But it was in 1970 that Tim Maia truly emerged and made Brazil dance to the sound of soul and funk, North American rhythms that the Rio-born singer and songwriter knew how to blend with national grooves and an original flair. His first LP, Tim Maia, contained the hits Azul da Cor do Mar, Coroné Antônio Bento and Primavera. The following year, he recorded Chocolate and Não Quero Dinheiro (Só Quero Amar) and, the year after that, Gostava Tanto de Você.
Tim Maia at Teatro Opinião, January 20, 1972. Source: Arquivo Nacional, Correio da Manhã collection. Taken from Wikimedia Commons
Image description: This is a black and white photograph of a musical artist sitting on a stage. On the left, we see a large metal structure, possibly part of lighting or sound equipment. In the center, there is a microphone positioned near the artist. On the right, we see another microphone and a stand. The artist is wearing a button-up shirt and jeans, and has voluminous hair. He is sitting on a tall chair, with his feet resting on another chair. In the background, we see some empty chairs and stage equipment.Along with success came a reputation for excess in drinking and drug use. Tim Maia became notable for failing to show up or delaying the start of his shows and frequently complaining about the audio quality. Our building manager turned every mess he got into into a hilarious story, cementing his reputation as one of the most striking personalities in Brazilian music. He was the author of one of the most memorable lines of his career: "I don't drink, I don't smoke, and I don't snort; I just lie a little."
Even with several health problems, on March 8, 1998, Tim Maia took part in the recording of a show at the Niterói Municipal Theater. He felt ill and was taken to the Antônio Pedro University Hospital. He ended up dying after a week of hospitalization, on March 15, at the age of 55, leaving an irreparable gap in the Brazilian music scene.
