Remembering Serguei: The Irreverent Spirit of Rock 'n' Roll on World Rock Day

On World Rock Day, July 13th, the memory of Sérgio Augusto Bustamante, known by his stage name Serguei, is honored. Serguei, who passed away at 85 on June 7, 2019, in Volta Redonda, Rio de Janeiro, was a legendary figure in Brazilian rock music. For six decades, he embodied the rebellious and uninhibited spirit of rock 'n' roll. Although his discography was sparse, featuring only two albums and a few singles released between 1966 and 2009, his life story and the folklore surrounding him are vast. Serguei famously wore a custom t-shirt claiming "I ate Janis Joplin," and he maintained he had a sexual relationship with the iconic American singer. While concrete evidence of their sexual encounter is scarce, they did have social contact in San Francisco in 1967 and Serguei claimed to have seen her again in Rio de Janeiro in February 1970. Serguei lived by the tenets of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll, alongside heavy alcohol consumption. He acknowledged himself more as an entertainer than a singer, embracing a wild lifestyle with youthful ardor, famously stating he had no age or gender. Before his rock career, Serguei worked various jobs, including flight attendant, banker, and kitchen helper. He also made an unsuccessful attempt at a political career in Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro, where he resided for many years. Ultimately, Serguei became a rock legend, symbolizing rebellion and living unconventionally, free from societal constraints, solidifying his place in rock history.