Legião Urbana's Bassist Living on Rio's Streets

Renato da Silva Rocha, known as Negrete or Billy, was born on 27 May 1961 in São Cristóvão, in Rio de Janeiro. His friend Marcelo Bonfá brought him into the band Legião Urbana in 1984, and he was part of its first line-up. He played bass on the band's first three albums and co-wrote songs including A Dança, Ainda É Cedo and Mais do Mesmo.

He left the group after the album Que País É Este in 1987. Guitarist Dado Villa-Lobos has said that he was expelled because of his problems with drugs. According to Agência Brasil, he stayed with the band until 1989. Rocha himself spoke warmly of the singer Renato Russo, whom he admired, and said they had a good relationship.

In March 2012 the television programme Domingo Espetacular, shown on Record, reported that Rocha was living on the streets of Rio de Janeiro. He carried his few belongings in a plastic bag. He told the programme that he had lost everything he owned because of drugs. A bass guitar that had recently been made for him by a luthier was being kept at a friend's hotel.

Later that year, with the support of family, friends and fans, he agreed to treatment at a clinic. According to a witness quoted by Agência Brasil, he also took medication for depression.

In February 2015 he was staying at a hotel in Guarujá, on the coast of São Paulo state, when he was found dead in his room on 22 February. Police found no sign of violence, and the cause was under investigation, with cardiac arrest suspected. Dado Villa-Lobos paid tribute on social media, writing that Rocha had found peace.