Charlie Brown Jr. (sometimes referred to as Charlie Brown and abbreviated as CBJr.) was a Brazilian alternative rock band from Santos, São Paulo. It was well-known among disadvantaged youth due to their relatable commentary on social issues and skate punk/hip hop slang in the lyrics of their songs. The band won two Latin Grammy Awards and was considered to be one of the most popular Brazilian bands of the late 1990s and early to mid-2000s.[1]
The band was frequently overshadowed by conflicts surrounding its vocalist Chorão's disagreements with other musicians (particularly Marcelo Camelo of Los Hermanos), and his battle with drug addiction. Chorão was the only founding member to remain consistent in all of the group's line-ups.
In 2015, a survey conducted by streaming platform Deezer reported that Charlie Brown Jr. was the second most-listened-to Brazilian band outside Brazil, losing only to Sepultura.[2] In another survey by Spotify, also from 2015, they were placed 31st out of 47 bands and artists.[3]
Following Chorão's cocaine overdose on March 6, 2013,[4] the band ceased its activities. Later, in April 2013, the remaining members regrouped as A Banca, intending to continue performing as a "tribute act/spiritual successor" to Charlie Brown Jr. However, A Banca only lasted for five months as their frontman, Champignon, committed suicide on September 9, 2013.[5]
In 2019, Marcão, Heitor Gomes, and André Pinguim reunited Charlie Brown Jr. for a series of shows held throughout the year with guest vocalists, eliciting much controversy and negative reception from long-time fans and acquaintances of Chorão.[6][7] They reunited once again in 2021 for the "Chorão 50 Tour", a special tour around Brazil commemorating Chorão's 50th birthday.[8]
