Portuguese rock wasn't born with Rui Veloso, nor with José Cid, nor even with the Conchas, generally considered to be the first rock group in Portugal in the 1960s.
The first disc in the genre, which is now largely forgotten, came from a woman named Zurita de Oliveira. From a family of artists, sister of comedian Camilo de Oliveira, Zurita had already recorded several light music albums throughout the 1950s.
She changed course, however, in 1961 and moved towards the new sounds emanating from the USA to record what is now recognised as the firstrock 'n' roll song in the history of Portuguese music: it was called O Bonitão do Rock (The good-looking guy of rock).
As well as singing, Zurita also played the electric guitar, something very rare for a woman at the time. She would later form her own band, with which she toured various venues in Portugal. Zurita would later dedicate herself to writing fados for her great friend and accomplice Ada de Castro. She died in 2015, aged 84.
Francisca Marvão heard about this historic but little-known figure while researching her previous film, Ela é uma Música (She's a Song). Fascinated, she wanted to find out more and soon the idea of making a documentary was born: Who's afraid of Zurita de Oliveira?
