Ronnie Cord

Origin

Manhuaçu, MG

Also known as

Ronald Cordovil

Years active

1959

Genres

rock and roll, jovem guarda

Instruments

guitar, vocals

Biography

Ronnie Cord was born in Manhuaçu in 1943, the son of the renowned maestro and composer Hervé Cordovil. Showing an early aptitude for music, he was already playing the acoustic guitar by the age of six. His musical journey officially began in 1959 when he auditioned for Copacabana Discos in Rio de Janeiro, paving the way for his debut recording on a compilation LP the following year.

Throughout the 1960s, Cordovil became a prominent figure in the burgeoning Brazilian rock scene, closely associated with the Jovem Guarda movement. His biggest career breakthrough came in 1964 with the release of the iconic track "Rua Augusta," composed by his father. The song achieved enduring fame, later being recognized by Rolling Stone Brasil in 2009 as one of the 100 greatest Brazilian songs of all time.

In addition to his original hits, he achieved massive success with localized versions of international tunes, most notably "Biquíni de Bolinha Amarelinha," a Portuguese adaptation of Brian Hyland's hit. Cordovil continued to record and perform during the height of the youth-oriented rock era until his untimely death from cancer in January 1986, shortly before his 43rd birthday. Throughout his career, he shared stylistic ground with contemporaries of the era such as Roberto Carlos and Celly Campello.