According to Serguei himself, his musical career began in June 1951, when he performed his first show "at a São João party, at 18 years old", as he recalled in an interview. He later returned to the United States where he continued his career by participating in student festivals. In the mid-1960s, Serguei began gaining recognition in Brazil singing with the band Os Jovens, one of
Roberto Carlos's backing bands. and later that same year, the singer—who identified as
pansexual— claimed to have had an affectionate relationship with American singer
Janis Joplin in
Long Island. This alleged relationship contributed to his fame, though the singer made contradictory chronological claims in interviews; there is no way to confirm it, as the singer died in 1970. In 2016, the documentary *Serguei, the Last Psychedelic* premiered, telling his life story. Considered the oldest rocker in Brazil, Serguei performed with his band Pandemonium, which accompanied him from 2008 until his death. He was also considered the official singer of the
Hells Angels (international motorcycle club). In his home in the city of
Saquarema, the "Temple of Rock" was created, managed by Serguei, consisting of clothing, records, awards, books, posters, VHS tapes, and other rock music materials documenting the singer's life. His residence became a tourist attraction in the city. The house was built by entrepreneur and environmentalist Russell Wid Coffin on land donated by the city in 2006 and received over 20,000 visitors. == References ==