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Why was Caetano Veloso exiled?

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Veloso was the sixth of seven children born to José Teles Veloso (1901-1983) and Claudionor Viana Teles Veloso in Santo Amaro da Purificaço, Bahia, Brazil (1907–2012). His early years were profoundly influenced by artistic activities; as a young boy, he was interested in both literature and films, but his primary concentration was music.

Why was Caetano Veloso exiled?

Veloso’s radical political views made him a target of the military dictatorship that controlled Brazil from 1964 to 1985; several of his songs were prohibited and others were even outlawed.

Veloso and Gil, who were both detained in February 1969, were eventually released on the condition that they leave the country after serving a total of six months in prison and four months under house arrest. They then spent the following several years in exile.

The two were detained by the federal police, who then flew them to an unidentified location. Last but not least, Veloso and Gil spent their entire exile in London, England.

When questioned about his time there, Caetano responded, “London was dark, and I felt apart from myself.” However, the two got better there, and producer Ralph Mace encouraged them to collaborate on a musical.

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