Lô Borges, Salomão Borges Filho, one of the greatest names in MPB and a member of the famous Clube da Esquina, died on the night of this Sunday (2) at 8:50 PM, at the age of 73.
The cause was multiple organ failure, according to a bulletin released by Hospital Unimed in Belo Horizonte, where he had been hospitalized since October 17 due to medication intoxication.
Lô Borges was one of the founders, alongside singer and composer Milton Nascimento, of the Clube da Esquina movement, which revolutionized Brazilian music starting in the 1970s and 1980s.
The movement, named in reference to a 1972 album of the same name, blended influences from rock, jazz, and psychedelic music with the tradition of MPB and Minas music, creating a timeless and complex sound.
Some songs authored by Lô Borges are O Trem Azul, Um Girassol da Cor do Seu Cabelo
Milton was 20 years old when he met Lô, who was only 10. They lived in the same building in Belo Horizonte. A few years later, in 1972, when Milton was already a well-known singer and composer, they developed the partnership that would become known as Clube da Esquina. The album – which also features contributions from Beto Guedes, Fernando Brant, Ronaldo Bastos, Flávio Venturini, Toninho Horta, Wagner Tiso, and Novelli – of the same name was released and became one of the great landmarks of MPB. With diverse influences ranging from the Beatles, through Minas music and samba, the album includes classics such as Tudo o Que Você Podia Ser, O Trem Azul, and Cravo e Canela, among others.
Lô Borges kept his career active and released several works with unreleased songs in recent years. His most recent album is Tobogã, from 2024, featuring Tudo o Que Você Podia Ser and Nada Será Como Antes, in partnership with Milton Nascimento.
He had songs recorded by Tom Jobim, Elis Regina, Milton Nascimento, Flávio Venturini, Beto Guedes, 14 Bis, Skank, Nando Reis, among others. The artist’s death has sparked emotion among fans and musicians across the country, who highlight not only his musical genius but also his discretion and poetic depth.
Brazil loses one of its most brilliant artists, says Milton Nascimento
Milton Nascimento’s social media profile paid tribute to his friend Lô Borges on this Monday (3). Partners since their youth, they created a landmark work for MPB together: Clube da Esquina. Lô Borges died on the night of this Sunday at the age of 73 in Belo Horizonte.
“Lô Borges was – and always will be – one of the most important people in the life and work of Milton Nascimento. They were decades and decades of a beautiful friendship and complicity that resulted in one of the most recognized albums in music worldwide: Clube da Esquina,” the message says.
“Lô leaves us with a huge void and longing, and Brazil loses one of its most brilliant, inventive, and unique artists. We wish much love and strength to the Borges family, who welcomed Bituca upon his arrival in Belo Horizonte,” the Instagram post from Bituca adds.
“Medication intoxication”: understand the condition that led to Lô Borges’ death
Singer and composer Lô Borges was hospitalized on October 17 with a case of medication intoxication but did not survive the complications.
Lô Borges was admitted to a Unimed hospital, where he was intubated and later underwent a tracheostomy – a procedure that creates an opening in the trachea to facilitate breathing. The artist’s health condition worsened in recent days, and he ultimately passed away. The singer leaves behind his son Luca Arroyo Borges, 27 years old.
What is medication intoxication
Medication intoxication occurs when there is excessive or incorrect ingestion of medications, either accidentally – such as in cases of dosage confusion – or intentionally, in cases of self-medication or even self-harm. The condition can affect various organs and systems of the body and, in severe cases, leads to respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, or liver and kidney dysfunction.
According to experts, the severity depends on factors such as the substance involved, the amount ingested, and the time between ingestion and medical attention. In emergency situations, it is recommended to immediately call Samu (192) or seek the nearest emergency room, bringing the packaging of the medication used.
A public health problem
According to data from the National System of Toxic-Pharmacological Information (Sinitox), medication intoxications are the leading cause of human poisoning in Brazil, surpassing cases involving cleaning products or pesticides. Adults and the elderly are among the most vulnerable groups, especially in contexts of prolonged use of controlled medications or improper combination of drugs.
Health authorities warn that self-medication is a dangerous habit responsible for thousands of hospital visits every year. Additionally, the concomitant use of medications without medical guidance can cause severe adverse reactions, increasing the risks of intoxication.
Source: Agência Brasil and brasil247.com