VIPER publishes a photo with Andre Matos from the band's lineup in 1985. Through social media, the band commemorated the 40th anniversary of the invitation that led Matos to join the band.
According to the text, the proposal was made by Felipe Machado , Pit , and Yves Passarell , members of the band, during the birthday party of Marcos Kleine , guitarist of Ultraje a Rigor , on January 3, 1985.
"In his apartment on Rua Brasílio Machado, in Higienópolis, Marquinhos hosted a party with friends, complete with pizza, Fanta, and Bis."
And what happened next marked an entire generation.
VIPER posts photo with Andre Matos
The rare document was recorded in March 1985, directly in the building where VIPER was created.
The image features Andre Matos, Yves Passarell, Nando Machado, Carlos Eduardo E Mauro (Cebola), and Cassio Audi. Val Santos is at the top of the row. In the bottom row are Solange (Felipe's then-girlfriend), Felipe Machado, and Pit Passarell.
Proposal for Matos to join VIPER
The band stated that Felipe, Pit, and Yves had different reasons for inviting Andre.
“At 13, Andre, who was studying music, already showed that he could sing well by participating in the Netuno , a trio composed of him on vocals and piano, Yves (guitar) and Marcos Kleine (drums). The group's repertoire was quite eclectic, ranging from 'Minha Pequena Eva' to 'Run to the Hills'."
Besides Matos' musical talents, another reason for making the offer would be the artist's appearance.
"Andre was also invited because he had a cool look, with long hair (à la Bruce Dickinson), as well as clothes and bracelets bought by his father to go to the Iron Maiden show at Rock in Rio."
Although they already had a vocalist at that time, Pit Passarell, the members wanted someone who could only sing.
“Pit was the vocalist, but VIPER wanted a lineup more like Iron Maiden, with a vocalist who didn't play another instrument and was free to 'rock out'.”
In summary, the band concluded the text by recalling Andre Matos's "yes":
“He accepted the invitation and VIPER began rehearsing for the first show of this new phase (the band had already played 3 shows, two at the Rio Branco College talent show and one at Sion College). Andre's debut would be at Lira Paulistana, on April 8, 1985. The rest is history.”
READ ALSO: VIPER pays tribute to Pit Passarell in new music video for “Timeless”
