A Brazilian Musical Giant Passes
The Brazilian music scene is in mourning following the death of the revered singer, guitarist, and songwriter Lô Borges at the age of 73. A foundational figure in the influential Clube da Esquina collective, Borges left an indelible mark on the sound of his nation, co-creating one of its most celebrated albums.
The Landmark Year of 1972
The year 1972 proved to be an exceptionally productive period for the young musician. In collaboration with his friend, the already prominent Milton Nascimento, Borges helped produce the monumental double album Clube da Esquina. This work is widely regarded as a pinnacle of Brazilian music history and featured numerous compositions from Borges himself.
Remarkably, in that same year, he also released his debut solo record. This self-titled album, which famously featured a pair of worn tennis shoes on its cover and became known as "disco de tênis" (the sneaker album), was quickly acknowledged as a classic in its own right.
The genesis of the Clube da Esquina (Corner Club) was a group of friends who gathered to play and write songs on a street corner in Belo Horizonte, the capital of Minas Gerais. While Nascimento was the older, more established artist, Borges brought a fresh fascination with the Beatles, creating a unique creative fusion.
A Prolific Yet Sporadic Career
Borges's solo debut was a spontaneous affair, often written and recorded on the same day. Backed by fellow Clube da Esquina members like Beto Guedes and Toninho Horta, he blended Brazilian styles with rock and psychedelia. Tracks from this album, such as Aos Barões, would later inspire international acts like the Arctic Monkeys.
Despite pressure from his record label to become a major pop star, Borges resisted the spotlight. After the intense recording sessions, he famously hitchhiked to Bahia, embracing a hippy lifestyle before returning to his roots in Belo Horizonte.
His subsequent output became more intermittent. He contributed to Clube da Esquina 2 in 1978 and released his second solo album, A Via-Láctea, in 1979. Four more albums followed in the 1980s and 90s, including the jazz-influenced Nuvem Cigana (1982).
In a late-career resurgence, Borges became increasingly prolific, releasing a new album every year from 2019 onwards. His final work, Céu de Giz, a collaboration with Zeca Baleiro, was released in August 2025. According to his brother, several other completed albums remain unreleased.
A Life Dedicated to Music
Born Salomão Borges Filho, he was the sixth of eleven children. He started playing guitar at seven and formed his first band, Os Beat Boys, as a Beatles-obsessed teenager. He first met Nascimento at the age of ten while on an errand for his mother. Their friendship blossomed into a legendary musical partnership, with Nascimento teaching him guitar and composition, and Borges introducing him to the music of the Beatles.
One of his final performances fittingly took place on that same street corner in Belo Horizonte where it all began, strumming his electric guitar while wearing a Beatles T-shirt.
Lô Borges is survived by his son, Luca. Salomão Borges Filho (Lô Borges), born 10 January 1952, died 2 November 2025.
