Biography
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Born
21 June 1919
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Born In
Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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Died
18 April 1998 (aged 78)
Nelson Gonçalves, born Antonio Gonçalves on June 21st, 1919, in Santana do Livramento, Brazil. He was a famous Brazilian singer and songwriter. His parents were Portuguese immigrants and Nelson was raised in São Paulo where he worked at some menial jobs such as selling newspaper and boxing. Even as a stammerer, Gonçalves embarked on a career in music that saw him become one of the most popular Brazilian radio singers of the 1950s.
Nelson Gonçalves had a very productive collaboration with lyricist Adelino Moreira and recorded numerous successful albums. One of the great crooners of the day, he gained an international following and appeared at venues such as Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Nelson sold more than 62 million albums around the globe and is the second best selling Brazilian artist of all time, behind Roberto Carlos (77 million).
His personal life was sometimes filled with turmoil and at one time, a cocaine addiction almost destroyed his career.
Nelson Gonçalves died on April 18th, 1998.
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