Biography
Kid Pepe composed several enduring classics during the Golden Age of Brazilian song. After holding a series of minor positions, he took up boxing and earned the ring name Kid Pepe. He first appeared on radio in 1931, launching his own program on which he performed both his own material and songs by fellow composers. Patrício Teixeira delivered the initial recording of his “Eu Era Feliz,” written with Germano Augusto. Together with Noel Rosa he created his landmark piece “O Orvalho Vem Caindo,” cut by Almirante for the 1934 Carnival though some scholars continue to dispute the credit. With Zé Pretinho and Noel Rosa he also supplied “Tenho Raiva de Quem Sabe,” which Mário Reis later recorded. In 1935 Moreira da Silva enjoyed success with the carnival samba “Implorar,” a collaboration among Kid Pepe, Germano Augusto, and J. S. Gaspar, while Jaime Vogeler achieved similar results with “As Lágrimas Rolavam,” penned alongside Germano Augusto and R. Guará; that same year Francisco Alves released both “Amor, Muito Amor,” written with Valfrido Silva, and “O Sereno É Meu Castigo.” The following year Joel e Gaúcho recorded “Mangueira,” a joint effort with Bide; Victor Bacelar cut “Formosa Mulher,” composed with Jorge Faraj; J. B. de Carvalho issued “Alô, Boy,” written with J. Piedade and José Ferreira; and Luís Barbosa recorded “Um Sorriso Igual Ao Teu,” again with Germano Augusto. In 1938 Sílvio Caldas offered “Choro Por Teu Amor,” a partnership with Castro Barbosa, and Francisco Alves released “Carnaval da Minha Terra,” created with Adolfo Cabral. By 1939 Carmen Miranda had recorded the samba-choro “Moreno Batuqueiro,” another collaboration with Germano Augusto.