This study aims to analyze how three paradigmatic figures of rock in Brazil - Cazuza, Arnaldo Antunes and Lobão - have built their identities. Following the trajectory of these composers, we tried to understand how they got hold of symbolic categories in the underlines of culture and have used them to create their personas. If the rockers mentioned share the language of the brazilian rock of the 80s, they differ, however, as to how to put themselves in the art world. We took into consideration in this regard, that construction of identity implies the recurrence of certain traditions - in this case, artistic - that are constantly resignified. We projected, therefore, to understand the course of research, such as cultural issues of their time to reveal the trajectory of these actors, as well as the repertoire bequeathed by the past, insofar as the three musicians, each in its own way, dialogue with specific traditions.