By Shirley Farmer 
Erasmo Carlos, one of the main composers and performers of Stone The Brazilian died, Tuesday, in Rio de Janeiro, at the age of 81, a victim of hereditary edema syndrome, which is an imbalance in the biochemical forces in the body responsible for vascular fluids. The musician was hospitalized for two weeks at Barra d’Or Hospital, in Barra da Tijuca, south of the city.
Author of over 600 songs – among them the classics “Sentado à Beira do Caminho”, “Minha Fama de Mau”, “Mulher”, “Quero que tudo vai para o inferno”, “Even if it’s me” and “É no smoking” – “Tremendão”, as he was known, has partnered since his adolescence in Rio with names such as Tim Maia or Jorge Ben Jor and, above all, Roberto Carlos, with whom he composed about 500 songs.
In the 1960s, the duo Roberto and Erasmo emerged in Brazil as a symbol of the movement called Jovem Guarda, under the influence of British pop music by the Beatles and other bands. But over the years, he has connected with MPB and Bossa Nova and worked with names like Chico Buarque, Lulu Santos, Zeca Pagodinho, Djavan, Adriana Calcanhotto, Marisa Monte, Milton Nascimento, and others.
On his last birthday, on June 5, “Tremendão” used social networks to make an autobiographical post.
“I am the result of my achievements, my goals and the balls on the crossbar are part of the game because life is short and my will is eternal. I am what I can and I have not tried to be as much as I can, I wanted to be many and I was left as one when I kicked out half a dozen of those who did not know how to be me, infected with goodness.” I have become a warrior of peace You shall hear my song as well as the wind As the sun shines and memories resist I took steps blindfolded on changing paths to be worthy of a place on the platform of love Happy birthday to me.
Maria Bethania was among the first to mourn her friend’s death. “Now I cry alone, without being here. We have lost Erasmo, this sweet boy. We have a wonderful one! How sad!”
Ni Matogroso wrote on social networks “My dear friend Erasmo Carlos has passed away, what a pity!”
“Go with God, Erasmo, my dear friend! We will miss you very much. May the many good memories you leave behind be a comfort to all those who love you,” said Zika Bagaudinho.
For Djavan, Erasmo’s death was a “grief”. “Farewells are always difficult, but beyond nostalgia, this great artist’s legacy will remain. Our gentle giant…”.
President-elect Lula da Silva also issued a memorandum. Erasmo Carlos, far from Jovem Guarda, was a very talented singer-songwriter, author of many songs that have influenced Brazilians in recent decades. With the environment. I miss him and dozens of songs that will always be in our memories and in the soundtracks of our lives. My condolences to the family, friends and fans of Erasmo Carlos”.