Vox Dei

For the divine voice which proclaims God's will or judgment, see Vox dei.
Vox Dei
Background information
Origin Buenos Aires, Argentina
Genres Rock
Hard rock
Progressive rock
Heavy metal
Blues rock
Folk rock
Years active 1967–1981
1986– Present
Labels Mandioca
Disc Jockey
CBS
Polydor
B.B. Records
DBN
La Rompe
Associated acts Manal, La Renga, Pappo's Blues, Almendra
Website www.voxdei.com.ar
Members Willy Quiroga
Carlos Gardellini
Simon Quiroga
Past members Ricardo Soulé
Rubén Basoalto †
Juan Carlos Godoy
Nacho Smilari
Beto Fortunato †
Carlos Michelini
Enrique "Avellaneda" Díaz
Raúl Fernández
Daniel Laira

Vox Dei (Latin: God's Voice) is an Argentine rock band credited for recording the country's first concept album, The Bible. Its most prolific years were the 1970s, having recorded 10 albums.

History

Formation and early years (1967–70)

The band's original members were Juan Carlos Godoy (guitar and vocals), Ricardo Soulé (guitar and vocals), Rubén Basoalto (drums) and Willy Quiroga (bass and vocals).

Vox Dei started playing songs from bands like The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Kinks and The Byrds. In 1968, they recorded a demo version of Percy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a Woman", and Spencer Davis Group's "Gimme Some Lovin'". The company Mandioca organized an audition for them in the Payró theatre. The members of Manal and Almendra were also present, and a few hours later they played together. In 1970 they recorded for Mandioca their first album Caliente.

In the B.A. Rock Festival Vox Dei played the first part of the theme "Genesis", which had no lyrics yet.

The glory years (1971–74)

In February 1971 they released La Biblia ("The Bible"). Being the first Argentine concept album, it became a turning point in the history of Argentine rock; even the Archdiocese, that had asked to examine the lyrics, recommended young people to buy it. Right after the recording of La Biblia, Yodi Godoy left the band and was replaced by "Nacho" Smilari, and the new Vox Dei line-up began a national tour.

In 1972 they re-edited their first album and recorded the third one, Jeremías Pies de Plomo. During the first shows after the release, they recorded La Nave Infernal and a few months later Es una Nube, no hay duda. After Vox Dei para Vox Dei of 1974, Ricardo Soulé announced he would leave the band to start as a soloist.

Transitional years (1975–1977)

In 1974, Carlos Michelini and Beto Fortunato were recruited into the band and continued to work, but only Carlos Michelini remained with Vox Dei and released Estamos en la Pecera in 1975, and then in 1976, Michelini was replaced by Raúl Fernandez and Enrique "Avellaneda" Díaz. In 1976 they released Ciegos de Siglos, the last album recorded to CBS label.

Revival and break-up (1978–1981)

Ricardo Soulé returned to the band in 1978 to record Gata de Noche. Slowly the differences between the musicians started to grow, but they respected the contract that kept them together until April 1981, performing a Farewell Show at the Estadio Obras Sanitarias.

After the split, Ricardo Soulé returned to his solo career, releasing in 1982 Romances de Gesta, while Willy Quiroga formed a new band: Destroyer. The band toured regularly through 1982, and recorded an self-titled album that same year. Rubén Basoalto formed another band with the Vox Dei former members Enrique "Avellaneda" Díaz and Raúl Fernández called Rompeaces.

First reunion (1986–1989)

In 1986 Vox Dei made a reunion show with the classic 1970s line-up of Quiroga, Soulé and Basoalto, to present La Biblia in the Teatro Opera with Luis Valenti on keyboards. In 1988 released their twelfth album Tengo Razones para Seguir.

Reformations and Second reunion (1990–1998)

Towards the end of 1989, Ricardo Soulé the band left again. In 1992, Carlos Gardellini and Daniel Laira becomes the new guitars, but only Gardellini would the new member, releasing in 1994: Sin Darle Ya Más Vueltas. This line-up made a few performances live, Vox Dei did promotional work for the album through 1994 and early 1996.

Between 1996 and 1998, Ricardo Soulé returns to the band, performing a Reunion Show at the Teatro Opera, releasing the live album El Regreso de la Leyenda. Then, recorded with Ricardo Soulé a remake of La Biblia in 1998 entitled La Biblia II, with Andres Calamaro, Fito Páez and Alejandro Lerner.

Recent events (1998–present)

In 1998, Carlos Gardellini finally returned with Willy Quiroga and Rubén Basoalto. Then, Vox Dei produce independently a new studio album El Camino in 2005. and then, in 2007 released the live double album Vox Dei En Vivo, for the 40th anniversary.

On November 3, 2010, drummer Rubén Basoalto died of lung cancer.

The multi-instrumentalist Simon Quiroga (Willy Quiroga Son), now replaces Rubén Basoalto and the band continues to perform shows.

Reunion with Soulé and Yodi Godoy (2013)

On 15 October, 2013, the band performed a reunion show with the original members Ricardo Soulé and Juan Carlos Godoy at the Luna Park stadium. This particular line-up consisted of ex-band members together with Iván and Vicky Soulé (both Ricardo Soulé sons), Simon Quiroga as drummer and Javier Basoalto (Rubén Basoalto son) as part of the band. The guitarist Carlos Gardellini once more time was not part of the show, as the 1996 Vox Dei reunion at the Teatro Coliseo.

Members

Current members
Former members
Guests

Discography

Studio Albums
Live Albums

External links

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