Anísio Silva

Origin

Caetité, BA

Genres

bolero, romantic music, mpb

Instruments

vocals

Biography

Anísio Silva (1920–1989) was a celebrated Brazilian singer and songwriter widely known as the "King of Bolero" for his romantic and deeply passionate vocal style. Born in Bahia and initially working as a pharmacy clerk, he moved to Rio de Janeiro and officially began his recording career in 1952. His career reached legendary heights after signing with Odeon Records in 1957, where he released his breakthrough hit "Sonhando Contigo" and established himself as one of Brazil's top-selling recording artists.

The pinnacle of his career came in 1960 with the massive success of the album "Alguém Me Disse," featuring the iconic title track composed by Jair Amorim and Evaldo Gouveia. The record sold over two million copies, making Anísio Silva the very first Brazilian singer to be awarded a Gold Record. His smooth vocal delivery and emotional resonance earned him a massive following across Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Portugal, alongside admirers such as President Juscelino Kubitschek and musical icon João Gilberto.

Throughout the 1960s, Silva continued to release successful albums like "O Romântico" and "Estou Chorando Por Ti," accumulating more than fifty records and breaking numerous sales and copyright records. Although he spent periods away from the limelight to manage his own nightclub in Rio de Janeiro, his timeless recordings—particularly his definitive rendition of "Alguém me disse," which was later recorded by artists like Gal Costa and Agnaldo Timóteo—cemented his enduring legacy in Brazilian popular music history.