Nelson Ned

Origin

Ubá, MG

Years active

1960–2014

Genres

romantic music, bolero, gospel, mpb

Instruments

vocals

Biography

Nelson Ned d'Ávila Pinto was a renowned Brazilian singer, songwriter, and writer born in Ubá, Minas Gerais. Diagnosed with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, he reached an adult height of 1.12 meters and became widely celebrated as the "Little Giant of Song." His career took off in the 1960s after moving to Belo Horizonte, leading to the release of his debut album "Um Show de 90 Centímetros" in 1964 and his massive 1969 hit "Tudo Passará."

Throughout his illustrious career, Nelson Ned achieved international acclaim, selling tens of millions of records and becoming the first Latin artist to sell one million albums in the United States. He performed four sold-out concerts at New York's prestigious Carnegie Hall and shared stages with international romantic icons such as Julio Iglesias and Tony Bennett. His timeless compositions were also recorded by prominent Brazilian artists like Moacyr Franco, Antônio Marcos, and Agnaldo Timóteo.

In the 1990s, Ned experienced a profound spiritual conversion to the evangelical faith, subsequently dedicating much of his musical output to gospel recordings such as "Jesus está vivo." He also penned his autobiography, "O Pequeno Gigante da Canção," detailing his musical triumphs alongside his personal battles. Nelson Ned passed away in 2014, leaving behind a legacy as one of Brazil's most distinctive and successful romantic voices.