Milionário & José Rico

Origin

São Paulo, SP

Also known as

Milionario e Jose Rico

Years Active

1970–2015

Genres

sertanejo, música caipira

Instruments

vocal, violão, harp, accordion

Biography

Milionário & José Rico was one of the most successful and influential duos in the history of Brazilian sertaneja music. Formed in 1970 by singers Romeu Januário de Matos (Milionário) and José Alves dos Santos (José Rico), the partnership lasted for over four decades and earned them the prestigious nickname "as gargantas de ouro do Brasil" (the golden throats of Brazil) due to their remarkable vocal power. Their musical style innovated the traditional genre by incorporating elements of symphonic arrangements, harps, trumpets, and accordions, blending regional Brazilian sounds with Mexican, Paraguayan, and gypsy musical influences.

Throughout their illustrious career, the duo released dozens of influential albums and achieved massive national and international acclaim with iconic hits such as "Estrada da Vida" and "Decida". Beyond their extensive discography, they also starred in feature films based on their lives and music, including the classic 1980 biographical film directed by Nelson Pereira dos Santos. Following a brief separation in the 1990s during which they pursued other projects alongside artists like Mathias and Robertinho, they reunited in 1994 and continued performing together until José Rico's passing in 2015. Their enduring legacy paved the way for numerous artists in the Brazilian countryside music scene, deeply inspiring legendary acts such as Marciano, Michel Teló, and Matogrosso & Mathias.

Discography

• De Longe Também Se Ama (1969)
• Ilusão Perdida (1975)
• Volume 02 (Ilusao Perdida) (1975)
• Volume 3 (1976)
• Volume 03 (1976)
• Vol. 4 - As Gargantas de Ouro do Brasil (1977)
• Estrada da Vida (Volume 5) (1977)
• Vol 04 as Gargantas de Ouro do Brasil (1977)
• Volume 05 (Estrada da Vida) (1977)
• Rei sem Trono (1978)
• Volume 07 (Caminhos da Vida) (1978)
• Volume 06 (Rei sem Trono) (1978)
• Realidade (Volume 8) (1979)
• Volume 08 (Realidade) (1979)
• Trilha Sonora do Filme Estrada da Vida - Vol.9 (1980)
• Amor Dividido - Vol. 10 (1980)
• Volume 09 (Trilha Sonora do Filme - Estrada da Vida) (1980)
• Escravo Do Amor - Vol. 11 (1981)
• Tribunal Do Amor - Vol. 12 (1982)
• Amor Infinito - Vol. 13 (1983)
• Lembrança - Vol. 14 (1984)
• Minha Prece - Vol. 15 (1985)
• Levando A Vida - Vol. 16 (1987)
• Volume 16 (Na China) (1987)
• Viva A Vida! - Vol. 18 (1988)
• Volume 17 (1988)
• Trilha Sonora do Filme Sonhei com Você (1989)
• Volume 19 (1989)
• Vol. 20 - Vontade Dividida (1991)
• Nasci para Te Amar - Vol. 21 (1994)
• De Cara com a Saudade - Vol. 22 (1996)
• Ao Vivo (1999)
• As Gargantas de Ouro do Brasil (Ao Vivo) (1999)
• O Dono do Mundo (2002)
• Gigantes (2003)
• Decida (2003)
• Vol. 23 (2009)
• Sentimental Demais - Volume 25 (2009)
• Decida!!! - Vol. 27 (2015)
• Milionário e José Rico "Edição Especial" (2015)
• Atravessando Gerações, Vol. 29 (ao vivo) (2021)
• Ao Vivo em Barretos (2025)
• Caminhos da Vida - Vol.7
• Milionário e José Rico
• O Dono Do Mundo - Vol. 26
• Atravessando Gerações - Vol. 29
• Sempre Sofrendo