The Brazilian artist joined Tom for an interview this weekend and you can hear it in the archives here:
Brazilian superstar Gilberto Gil formed the Tropicalia movement back in the late 60s along with Caetano Veloso and others, and paid dearly for it—he was exiled for years by the dictatorship. He returned to Brazil from his exile in London, and went on to record some of the most memorable albums in Brazilian music. Current Brazilian President Lula da Silva appointed him Minister of Culture, a position he held for five years.
Upon retiring from his cabinet post, Gil resumed his music career, and is now touring the U.S. He performs at UCLA’s Royce Hall this Saturday, March 20. He performs with renowned cellist Jaques Morelenbaum and his son, Bem will play percussion in the UCLA Live event.