Mário Augusto

Origin

Jundiaí, SP

Also known as

Mário Augusto dos Santos

Years Active

1958–1964

Genres

rock, twist, ballad, samba-canção, march, mambo rock, calypso

Instruments

voice

Biography

Mário Augusto dos Santos, known artistically as Mário Augusto, was a Brazilian singer and songwriter who stood out in the country's music scene during the 1950s and 1960s. Born in Jundiaí, São Paulo, in the 1930s, he demonstrated an eclectic talent from an early age, moving through various musical genres. His recording career began in 1958 with the Odeon label, releasing the calypso rock "Claudette" — Fred Jorge's version of a song by Roy Orbison — and the samba-canção "Não sei", written by himself.

Throughout his career, Mário Augusto recorded a variety of styles, including rocks, twists, and ballads. In 1959, he released the ballad rock "Grande amor", and in 1960, he moved to the Copacabana label, where he recorded hits such as the rock "Dia triste" and the mambo rock "Adão e Eva". His ability to adapt international hits into Portuguese, such as Paul Anka's "Adam and Eve", and to compose his own songs, such as "O amor de Terezinha", solidified his presence in the recording market.

Mário Augusto also participated in radio and television programs, such as Cesar de Alencar's "Cast dos Novos". His success at the 1961 Carnival with the march "Desfolhei a margarida" and the popularity of "O amor de Terezinha" in 1962 demonstrated his versatility. At the height of the twist craze in mid-1962, he released "O twist é bom", which also received a good response. His discography also includes the album "Conflitos emocionais", released in 1961. Mário Augusto is remembered for his contribution to Brazilian popular music during a period of great cultural and musical effervescence.

Discography

• Conflitos Emocionais (1962)
• Alegria e Romance (1963)
• Hoje O Astro Sou Eu (1982)
• Aos 79 anos (Resgatando Jóias... pra Mim Preciosas (2008)