Musicians share memories of the guitarist.
Wikimetal collected testimonials from important names in music about Golpe de Estado guitarist Hélcio Aguirra, who passed away yesterday, the 21st, at the age of 56.
Below, musicians, journalists, and acquaintances share memories of one of Brazil's greatest guitarists.
André Góis – former vocalist of Vodu, current Desaster and radio host at Eldorado FM.
"Still in shock from the news of his death, I relive in my memory the first time I saw him live. The first time I saw Harppia. The first time I saw a rock show. All of that together in a single moment, it was him, along with master Jack Santiago, Marcos Patriota, and Zé Henrique, who gave me that experience on the Carbono 14 stage in 1984. The first time I saw a band on stage… Obviously, the impression they made on me, at sixteen years old, was overwhelming. I left there with the dream of singing like Jack, of finding a partner like Hélcio, who pulled incredible riffs from his SG guitar, in white pants and a black leather vest, who reminded me of Tony Iommi. They were everything I wanted to be… That's why I call Hélcio and Jack 'masters,' they helped change my life for the better. To say that we lost a hero of our Rock and Roll, an excellent musician, a great professional, super…" He was technically skilled, had a great sense of humor, and was a really, really good guy—I don't even need to say it. Everyone knows that. We're all sad and still don't quite understand, because after all, we don't really know anything about this life anyway…”
Antonio Araújo – Korzus
“Hélcio was an inspiration to us all. Besides being a musician of unquestionable quality, he was a truly wonderful guy… It’s a premature and unexpected loss. The entire Brazilian Rock scene is in shock. Now we must celebrate his music and his life… And to think that Jimi Hendrix gained another brilliant string partner, up in guitar heaven.”
Antonio Pirani – Rock Brigade
"Hélcio Aguirra, in addition to being a talented musician with fundamental importance in the history of Brazilian Heavy Metal (the true MPB!!!), was essential in the development of the Meteoro amplifier line. Before him and this innovative manufacturer, the Brazilian industry was only in its infancy, and it was thanks to these great pioneers that cutting-edge technology is available here today."
In addition to conquering the entire national territory, they are large-scale exporters, taking the MHA brand to every corner of the planet. If access to top-of-the-line equipment for musicians, concert halls, and music schools is now widely facilitated, this is largely due to Hélcio Aguirra and Meteoro Amplifiers! Rock and Brazilian music are once again orphaned, now by the loss of this great talent and personality.
Another FRIEND has left us in physical presence, but whose presence and legacy will be ETERNAL! Rest in peace, Hélcio, the sound of your guitar will always be heard by us and throughout the UNIVERSE! Rock Brigade thanks you for everything you did for us!!!
Cesar Gavin – Green Record Player
"Yesterday I lost a friend. Hélcio Aguirra was a brilliant musician! A complete guitarist. He stood out with his chords, melodies, fingerpicking, solos, riffs and tones, in addition to being the greatest expert on tube amplifiers in Brazil."
He died yesterday in his sleep. Perhaps traveling in his guitar music… Because for him and for us, it was always “party night… smiles in the early hours!” His work will remain forever. Hélcio Aguirra, from Golpe de Estado. From Harppia. From Mobilis Stabilis.” ( Read the full text )
China Lee – Minimum Wage
"Today we received one of the saddest pieces of news in our history: the passing of our friend/brother Hélcio Aguirra, guitarist of Golpe de Estado and one of the founders of Harppia. We shared more than 30 years of friendship, partnership, and countless stories together. We are deeply saddened by the loss of our dear brother, one of the greatest heroes this country has ever had. Our thoughts are with his family, fans, bandmates, and friends. Go with God, our friend. We will miss you."
Dick Siebert – Korzus
“On December 17, 1984, we opened for Harppia at the Teatro Lira Paulistana. It was our first time opening for them. The duo of Hélcio Aguirra and Marcos Patriota on guitars sounded like Judas Priest. And since that time he became our friend, he participated in the CD “Ties Of Blood” in 2004, with a solo on the track Evil Sight . Awesome guitarist and comrade. A great loss. May he be remembered with joy.”
Felipe Machado – Viper
"Yesterday afternoon my colleague Marco Bezzi sent me a message with the news of Hélcio's death. Then I went online and saw: He died at home, sleeping, at 56 years old. At least there's that. The gods of Rock and Roll are really very playful: The guy who spent his life helping us crank up the volume of our amplifiers to volume 11, blowing up the Celestion speakers in our Marshall cabinets, poisoning our amp heads with diabolical distortions… died in silence."
What was our beloved Hélcio dreaming about when he left us? We'll never know. But I venture to imagine he was dreaming of a better world, where music would be taken more seriously. A place where people would better appreciate a man who lived in search of that sound that doesn't exist, that sound that only exists in our heads: the sound of a perfect chord. Thank you, Hélcio. ( Read the full text )
Gastão Moreira – music journalist, former MTV Brazil VJ and currently host of Heavy Lero.
"Ever since I saw a Harpia show in the 1980s, I became a fan. I always referred to Hélcio as the Brazilian Iommi because of his heavy style and powerful riffs. He was one of the greatest guitarists this country has ever had, but he never received the recognition he deserved. Besides his musical qualities, he was one of the most humble and kind-hearted guys I've ever had the pleasure of talking to. A great figure!"
João Gordo – Rats in the Basement
“Hélcio was always a part of my musical reality, I always ran into him at shows, at Baratos, in studios, and I can say that he was a fine person, a good guy, a gentleman, an exceptional musician… Who peacefully passed away and will be missed… Honestly, so many sons of bitches are destined to die, and life chooses the good guys… Rest in peace, man…”
Junior Rodrigues – Electric Age
"We at Electric Age are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of this guitar master. In both Golpe de Estado and Harppia, Hélcio demonstrated the importance and strength of Hard Rock in Brazil, inspiring all generations, not only of Hard Rock but of Rock 'n' Roll in general, with his brilliant and creative way of playing each note on his guitar!
Thank you, Hélcio, for gifting us with all your musical genius, which is forever recorded on the Golpe and Harppia albums. Peace and comfort to the hearts of all his family! Good Times Are Coming!"
Luciano Piantoni – Hard And Heavy
"In the '80s, I was in that 'fever' of listening to something more extreme, after all, I had just discovered Metallica, Slayer, Destruction and so many others. I heard about a band called Harppia, and their album "A Ferro E A Fogo" (By Fire and Sword). That sounded pretty cool. Years later, a band called Golpe de Estado (Coup d'État) came along, and that's when I saw an article, or review, in Rock Brigade."
I have a cousin, Alessandro, who loved the first two albums, listened to them every day, and every time I went to his house, I'd pay attention to the riffs and the heaviness (he'd just say he didn't really like the lyrics – understandable, for someone who was obsessed with Thrash...). How many times did I spend hours looking at the cover of the album "Forçando A Barra," with all those details. My cousin was more than important in influencing me towards this type of Brazilian Rock – and not the garbage that infested the 80s, using that title...
Years later, I saw the guys live countless times at the legendary Aramaçan in Santo André, the city where I was born. I saw Golpe with all its lineups. I've met Hélcio countless times over all these years, and I usually like to take pictures with my idols and rock friends. I don't know why, but I never did it in Hélcio's case…
Recently, while working on the production of Andreas Kisser's "Pegadas" program on UOL 89FM, we scheduled an interview with Golpe, who was launching his new album, "Direto Do Fronte". On the same day, we recorded interviews with other artists, so things were a bit hectic between interviews. At the end of Golpe's interview, I asked Hélcio if he had the latest CD (since they had raffled off some kits!) to give me. He looked in a bag, searched the bottom, and seemed a little embarrassed, as he said he had given them all away at the radio station, but that he would leave one at Galeria do Rock, or when he saw me. He thanked me profusely for the interview, which is quite strange for a legend like him. It almost seems like he didn't realize his own greatness!
I sent another artist for an interview with Andreas, and when I returned near the elevator, they had already left. When I got home, I left a message thanking him for the interview and regretting not having taken a picture with him (again...).
He thanked me, said he would leave some CDs at Die Hard in Galeria, as well as his new guitar pick (which, as anyone who knows me knows, I collect!). Almost the week of Christmas, he informed me that he was leaving a package at the aforementioned store.
As I was enjoying a few days of vacation at the coast, as soon as I returned, I went to the store to pick it up. The package contained his latest work, as well as the albums "Zumbi", "Quarto Golpe" and "Nem Policia Nem bandido", as well as his guitar pick, carefully placed inside one of the covers.
I thanked him with a photo on Instagram (clearly honored to have received the gift from him!) and he even commented. I mentioned again that I wanted to take a picture with him, since I admire him a lot. He told me that when he played in São Paulo, or had to go to the Galeria, he would let me know… Unfortunately, that never happened, since yesterday I was shocked to see the news of his passing, through someone very close to him. Here remains the memory of this guy who was always a monster on the 6-string guitar, and a very pleasant person. Much respect for him! Rest in peace, great Hélcio!”
Luiz Pimentel – R7 Journalist
"Harppia was one of the memorable shows from the golden age of Carbono 14, a music venue in Bixiga, São Paulo, where on Saturdays in 1984 and 1985 there was a Metal matinee, with video presentations and live performances. I remember watching their show there, almost hypnotized. 'A Ferro e Fogo', an EP that became a classic in Brazilian Heavy Metal, must have just been released."
Harppia was very much like Judas Priest, with the twin guitars. Helcio Aguirra played like crazy even back then. If I'm not mistaken, he had a black SG. If it was in '85, when the EP was released, he must have been around 27 years old. Well, he died today at 56. Or rather, he was found dead by his sister, with whom he lived. He died in his sleep.
"He leaves his mark on Harppia and Golpe de Estado, where he achieved the most success. Even so, not the recognition he deserved. He recently released an album, in 2012, 'Direto do Fronte'. He was important, he left a legacy. May his family and friends rest in peace." (text published on his blog )
Luka – UOL 89FM
"Dear, kind, and with the ability to produce that unique tone! There are musicians, guitarists, some really nice guys, and then there's Hélcio Aguirra. A being now, above human."
Marcelo Rossi – Photographer
“I met Hélcio at the launch show for the album Zumbi in '94, at Aeroanta. I was enchanted by the band, Golpe de Estado, which I barely knew, and in which Hélcio was the guitarist. At that time, I was discovering and photographing the São Paulo band scene, and I was even more enchanted by his vigorous rock and distinctive guitar tone. A few years later, I was the artistic producer of a music venue and invited the project “Electric Funeral,” a Black Sabbath tribute band that Hélcio had alongside Golpe, to perform. It was a resounding success that night, with the place packed. In all these years of friendship, I only have fond memories of a guy who, besides being an inspiration to me and many others as a musician, was always ready for any crazy idea we came up with, and with that welcoming smile on his face. A great musician. A great heart. A star forever in our constellation of talents in the São Paulo sky.”
Marcos Kleine – Ultraje A Rigor
“Hélcio Aguirra was one of the first rock guitarists who caught my attention in the mid-80s. I had the pleasure of meeting him; besides being a great musician, he was the only one at the time who repaired amplifiers. He was a guy who only contributed to Brazilian rock, honest, hardworking. The party night will be in his honor.”
Marcus D'Angelo – Claustrophobia
“I had the honor of speaking with Hélcio for the first time at Expo Music 2013 and sharing the same feelings about Rock, music, and the commitment to our art! It was an emotional conversation. A pioneering master, he still approached all of this as if he were a child, a complete learning experience. And to have his approval after he heard Claustro's sound was amazing! He was a good, humble person, and people like that don't deserve to suffer; everyone will leave this world eventually, and he went in peace. Long live Rock, life goes on… Let's continue to honor our true teachers! RIP Hélcio Aguirra”
Nando Machado – Wikimetal
"The first time I saw Hélcio playing was on the stage at Praça do Rock, I think in '84. Harppia was an above-average band and they were responsible for 'Salem, the City of Witches,' an anthem for Metal fans of the time. Shortly after, he formed Golpe de Estado, which was the best Rock 'n' Roll band of the '80s. Their show was awesome, they had the best drummer, a precise bassist, a very crazy and charismatic vocalist, and on guitar, the master Hélcio Aguirra. I went to many Harppia and Golpe de Estado shows, I was a huge fan. Besides playing in those bands, Hélcio was also the guy who worked on the amplifiers, and after a while he started renting Marshall amps to everyone who wanted to get a better sound in recordings and shows. He also had a super Sabbath tribute band called Electric Funeral, where he really was the Brazilian Tony Iommi."
If Hélcio had been born in the US or Europe, he would be a major name in world guitar today, his work would be much more recognized and respected, of that I am certain. Golpe deserved to have exploded in Brazil, Golpe's show was an event, Catalau was a kind of Mick Jagger and Roger Daltrey in one guy, unfortunately they never had their due value recognized. The band put the other Rock bands of the time to shame, especially those that played on the radio. Noite de Balada is a classic, one of the best Brazilian Rock songs of all time, and the solo, ah, that solo…
"May Hélcio now be making music with other great idols, exchanging ideas about tubes with Jimi and Randy, jamming with Bonzo, Moonie, The Ox; playing Sabbath with Dio and so many others who left us too soon. A serene, polite, generous, simple and extremely talented guy, a master in every sense."
Paulinho Heavy – Vocalist of INOX, owner of Black Jack from 1988 to 1994 and presenter of Som Pop on TV Cultura. Paulinho Heavy introduced Nelson Brito to Hélcio and produced the album "10 anos ao vivo" by Golpe de Estado.
For now, all the thousands of late-night jam sessions, the football games at Nando's house, the foosball and slot car racing matches, the barbecues, the recordings, the nights out partying and the laughter in so many early mornings, the drunken nights in the bars, the cheese and salads at dawn, the shared fear of cockroaches, the defeats and so many victories we fought together since 1980 are suspended. A masterful guitarist and a tireless student of electronics, he knew how to extract wonderful tones from his equipment like few others. As a vocalist in thousands of jam sessions alongside him, I can guarantee that playing in a power trio with him was like having a true wall of sound. Unlike the thousands of typist-style guitarists or race bettors of today, Hélcio Aguirra leaves the legacy of humility, of a musician concerned with the sound made as a group, by a band. And logically, of Rock'n Roll. Without egomania or any kind of side effects. Just and solely with the foot firmly on the overdrive pedal and the Marshalls cranked up. Rest in peace, Helcião!!!! Eternal memories of a brother in faith.
Paulo Thomas (Paulão) – Drummer for Baranga and Kamboja, former founding member of the bands Centúrias and Firebox.
“During the recording of Centúrias' EP “Última Noite”… I remember very well the support Hélcio gave us… He went to the studio practically every day, helping Didi get the right sound from his guitar… At the time, he was 17 years old… Hélcio was already killing it in Golpe De Estado… He was the great master, helping everyone with his wisdom and humility. And besides playing with enviable class, he got a wonderful guitar sound, even back then with limited resources… I miss you, bro… See you later.”
Ricardo Batalha – Roadie Crew
“Wow, that’s great! All of us gathered here to talk about Rock. Look, there’s Nelson Britto, Ivan Busic… Xando Zupo, Pepe Bueno, Andreas Kisser, Thomaz Waldy and the whole gang that used to hang out at the Black Jack Bar are also over there. Yeah, it would be really cool, but we were at Hélcio Aguirra’s wake… Sad, dismayed, and remembering some moments with this legendary figure who left us. He’s gone from the stage, but his work will be eternal. And I said, I say, and I will continue to say that Harppia’s ‘Salém’ is the first anthem of Brazilian Heavy Metal and that Golpe de Estado was the main Rock band in the country at a certain time. I no longer have the VHS tapes of the various Golpe shows I filmed at Dama-Xoc, Projeto SP, Mambembe, Centro Cultural, but YouTube is there for all of us to relive the magic of the Brazilian Tony Iommi’s guitar. Rest in peace, Hélcião!”
Roberto Cruz – Key to the Sun
“Helcião!! As I liked to call him!! The first time I met him was watching Harppia's show at Praça do Rock, and I was impressed by the band's sound, the coordination of the two guitarists, and the style of guitar he played, and how he played. A Brazilian Guitar Hero, a profound connoisseur of guitars and amplifiers, he covered all areas and leaves us with a huge void and many fond memories. The good news is that his music is eternal and so is his spirit, that's what I believe! So we just have to wait for time to give us the pleasure of meeting him in another dimensional plane in the spiritual state. Thank you Helcião!! Thank you for everything, and until we meet again!! God bless you, and Long Live Rock and Roll!!”
Vinicius – Stay Heavy
“We’ve lost another hero of Brazilian Rock… If a Brazilian scene exists today, it’s because one day people with the same vibe as the great Hélcio decided to have fun and create their art. His absence will be deeply felt!”
Vitão Bonesso – Backstage and drummer for Electric Funeral
"I'm still very shaken... Confused, really. Hélcio was a guy I enjoyed talking to, I'd laugh at his astonished face when I showed him a new Black Sabbath album and he'd say, 'Wow, how does he do that?'" "It's so simple, this riff, it could be mine…", referring to one of his greatest idols, Tony Iommi. "I'm very proud to have founded Electric Funeral alongside him in November 1988, and I'm even more proud to have in his place one of his biggest fans, Marcello Schevano. The band is still around today, and now, more than ever, I know we will have his blessing to continue honoring Black Sabbath. What saddens me most is that, after a while, Helcião gave Golpe de Estado a great boost in their career. He always believed, and whenever we talked, he seemed somewhat depressed, but hopeful about the band's future. He succeeded, and I was thrilled about that… but he's gone. I repeat, I'm quite shaken, because I lost a brother, who will always be in my heart."
Walcir Chalas – Woodstock Discos
"Hélcio Aguirra spoke very loudly and clearly about everything I had to say about him. He will be revered as one of Brazil's guitar heroes!"
Read all the news from Wikimetal News
