Curiosities

The night of July 20th, 1969: the historic date on which the mankind first stood on the moon also marked the beginning of Gil and Caetano’s exile from Brazil, decreed by the military junta, and marked by an emotional show, with an enormous yellow ball projected onto the back of the stage at the Castro Alves theatre in Salvador.

The farewell show, in addition to providing an opportunity for raising funds for the pair’s journey into exile, given that for some time they had been prevented from working, would also be a handsome and just tribute to the icons of Tropicalism. After their release from custody on Ash Wednesday, the two had travelled to Salvador where for five months they were placed under house arrest, restricted to seeing a small group of friends and family members. They were prohibited from giving interviews or recording and also had to report daily to the Federal Police headquarters.

In this situation, obtaining permission for this farewell show was not an easy task. Negotiations with the military were drawn out and subject to the mediation of the Federal Police chief in Salvador. Agreement was finally reached, with the proviso that Gil and Caetano would have to leave Brazil immediately after the show.

On the night of July 20, 1969, two thousand people took part in what would be an historic moment in Brazilian culture: the Barra 69 show, Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso’s farewell.

Before their departure into exile, they still had to listen to harsh orders issued by the Brazilian authorities: “Do not ever return to this country. If you do, go straight to the Federal Police and save us the trouble of having to come and get you.”