Elis Regina and her son João Marcelo Bôscoli Reproduction and Matheus Müller/g1 Santos João Marcelo Bôscoli, son of singer Elis Regina, businessman and music producer, aged 55, spoke to g1 about his relationship with his mother: in childhood, until he was 11 years old, and after her death, when the responsibility of cherishing her memory and keeping the reference artist in Brazilian music alive was born. ✅ Click here to follow the new g1 Santos channel on WhatsApp. In a relaxed but emotional chat, João (Elis' son) recalled unique moments with his mother, such as the unexpected arrival of a trip to the USA, when she surprised him on a beach in Rio de Janeiro. This is actually one of the images he remembers when he closes his eyes. He still had space to talk about the singer's favorite songs, which left him with his voice choked, as well as the firm presence of his mother, strict and, according to him, faithful to the mothers of the 70s. Oh, and don't be surprised by the reference to him as João, son of Elis. He himself prefers it that way! The interview took place when he was in Santos for the launch of the book: 'Elis and Me - 11 years, 6 months and 19 days with my mother'. Check out the full content below. Now on g1 Do you have any special story with Baixada Santista? Any memorable memories, curiosities or experiences that you experienced here in the city? Yes, my youngest son (André, 10 years old), his grandmother has had an apartment for many years there in São Vicente. So, when he comes here, I come to visit and we go cycling and walking along the coast. So, I can tell you that, of the most meaningful memories for me, which are the experiences I have with my children, I have had them here many times. Artur (14 years old), we remember riding waves here. He's a surfer and I catch alligators. And what is your mother’s relationship with the city? It's like this, Elis came to this region a lot in the 60s because there were some festivals that she won, that she presented and participated in, that had their qualifiers, their shows here in the region. So, there are photos of her, including on the beaches here on the coast, here in Santos. And her relationship with Pelé, how did that connection come about? There has always been this relationship with Pelé. She recorded ‘Vexamão’ and ‘Perdão não tem’ with Pelé on the eve of the World Cup, he had just classified Brazil, and then he wanted to quickly go to the dressing room because he was nervous about recording. Roberto Menescau, the founder of Bossa Nova, ran alongside him during the Olympic Tour, took him to the locker room, he got ready quickly, went to the studio, got there, he was hoarse. He used a solution of water with squeezed lemon, it improved a little and recorded it. You see he's slightly hoarse, but it's incredible. So, I had the honor of being born with this relationship, with this magic. And recently, months before he physically left us, he asked, through a mutual friend, for two balls to be delivered. He said: “Give it to Elis’ grandchildren, João’s children”. So there's one for Artur and André, signed by him. Then I said: Boys, look, keep it safe because this is never to be touched again. And very exciting. You usually refer to your mother in the third person, calling her Elis. Why do you make this choice? Look, for several reasons. The first is because my mother, she contains Elis. But it has other faces, like all of us. You are not limited to your professional life. I take care of my mother like every child or almost every child does or could. As it deals with emotion and touched a lot of people, for me it is also important that people know, my thing is completely circumstantial. I take care of my mother like every child or almost every child does or could. I want everyone to know that, of course, I am their biological son, but in terms of admiration and beauty, we are the same, everyone is together, because Elis Regina is a public figure. Elis is yours. You have a history with Elis, so you don't have a history with my mother, you have a history with your Elis, who is also my Elis. But behind this [Elis] there is a lady, a woman, a young woman. How she says it: a girl, a woman, a lady, right? Who has a normal life, who goes to the supermarket, has fears, desires, doubts. [Elis Regina] is the public face. Remembering the region, this natural phenomenon that emerged here, there's Edson and there's Pelé, right? And my mother is like Edson. And what was Elis like as a mother? Look, I think he's an interesting guy, because he managed, even though he was who he was, working a lot, he managed to use his prestige, his strength, to be able to bring people, sometimes, on vacation, on his trips. She also did many seasons where she was, like, Falso Brilhante was on air for a year and a year and a half. If I spent 11 years with her and I have clear memories of 9 years or so, for a year and a half she was stuck at home, that is, she traveled very little. In Rio de Janeiro in 80 she also stayed for a year. So, if on the one hand it was a person who had a very large activity, on the other hand she managed to be present. I think she was a strict mother, a mother I call a 70s mother, who never hit me, but she was strict, held me by the arm and always reminded me that she was the one in charge of the house. And I remember this with great affection, I always felt very loved during these scoldings. What's it like to see your mother's life portrayed in films and documentaries? What is important for us to always keep in mind is that we all have very bad and very good moments. We all make more mistakes than we get right, I believe, so much so that we celebrate our successes. We have always had a position, my brothers and I, of not getting involved. I saw the Hugo Prata film that you mentioned at the cinema, and we never asked for a book, I want to read it first, never. We think that if we do this, it may seem like a small action, but it will become a wave where the end of this wave is Elis's forgetfulness and dislike and so on. She is a public person. So, we look at everything with love, with gratitude. Did being Elis Regina's son impact your career in any way? I'm not a singer... So, it's in the same area, but it's not exactly the same activity. When she physically left us, what kept me very hopeful was people's love. So, in fact, I feel even uncomfortable when something comes out (in the media quoting) João Marcelo Bôscoli. I say: ‘Who is João Marcelo Bôscoli? Where is Elis’ son? I feel like João, Elis' son. A memory that comes to mind with your mother? Me, lying in the sand, not knowing that she was going to return from Los Angeles (USA). I was lying down and, as soon as I opened my eyes, there was a sun, and her head came in, and it was between the sun and my vision for two, three seconds — one of the coolest. This was in 1980, in Rio de Janeiro, at Praia da Joatinga. Longing is her presence, not her absence. What is your favorite Elis song? I like 'João Valentão'. “João Valentão is a bully, he doesn't pay attention and doesn't even think about life”... When I did something wrong, I thought she had recorded it for me, but I hadn't even been born. And I also like 'It Just Had to Be With You', because I always thought she was singing it to me. Is there her music in your house every day? Yes, yes. I don't need to press the button, the algorithms know that I like Elis Regina. And I don't know how to be sad because of Elis, I know how to get emotional. What is the feeling when you hear her singing to you? I'd have to be Shakespeare to say it. What I can say is that all areas of my head experience a neural symphony that I could call ‘by Elis’. VIDEOS: g1 in 1 Minute Santos