Renato Russo

Renato Russo (born Renato Manfredini, Jr., March 27, 1960 – October 11, 1996) was a Brazilian musician who was the lead singer of the post-punk band Legião Urbana. A Brazilian film depicting his life and career was released in 2013, called Somos Tão Jovens (We Are So Young).

Early life

Renato Manfredini Jr. was born in Governador Island, Rio de Janeiro. He started his studies at an early age, at Colégio Olavo Billac. During this period he wrote an essay titled "Old house, in ruins". His father was an executive at Banco do Brasil, and the family moved to New York City in 1967, when he was assigned a job in the city. Renato and his family returned later to Rio de Janeiro and moved in with his uncle Sávio. At 18 years old, he came out as bisexual to his mother, and in 1988 he made it public by writing the song "Meninos e Meninas" ("Boys n' Girls") with the chorus stating, in English, "I like St. Paul, I like St. John, I like St. Francis and St. Sebastian, and I like boys and girls."

In 1973, his family moved from Rio de Janeiro to Brasília, moving to the "Asa Sul" sector. In 1975, aged 15, Renato went through one of the hardest phases of his life when he was diagnosed as suffering from epiphysiolysis, a bone disease. He underwent surgery and had three platinum pins implanted in his pelvis. He suffered greatly throughout his convalescence, being confined to bed for 6 months, almost immobile. While he was under treatment, he did little more than listening to music, collecting an extensive and varied album collection. In an interview, Renato stated that this period was crucial in shaping his musical ear.