Carlos do Carmo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Carlos do Carmo
Carlos do Carmo in 2007
Background information
Birth name	Carlos Manuel de Ascenção do Carmo de Almeida
Born	(1939-12-21)21 December 1939 Lisbon, Portugal
Died	1 January 2021(2021-01-01) (aged 81) Lisbon, Portugal
Genres	Fado
Occupation(s)	Singer
Years active	1964–2020
Labels	Universal Music
Associated acts	Lucília do Carmo Alfredo Marceneiro Amália Rodrigues José Carlos Ary dos Santos Fernando Tordo

Carlos do Carmo (born Carlos Manuel de Ascenção do Carmo de Almeida; December 21, 1939 – January 1, 2021) was a famous Portuguese fado singer. Fado is a special type of music from Portugal, known for its soulful and often sad sound.

Carlos do Carmo was the son of Lucília do Carmo, who was also a very well-known fado singer. He started his music career in 1962. Before that, he lived in Switzerland. When his father passed away, he returned to Lisbon to help his mother manage their family's fado house, a place where fado music is performed. Soon after, he began singing there himself. In 1963, he started recording his own music. He became famous in Portugal and around the world in the 1970s. He even performed in famous places like the Royal Opera House in London. In 1976, he represented Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest with his song "Uma flor de verde pinho".

Carlos do Carmo brought new ideas to fado music. He was one of the first to add orchestras to fado songs. He also mixed fado with other music styles, like jazz.

Early Life and First Steps in Music

Carlos do Carmo grew up in Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal. His mother, Lucília do Carmo, was a successful fado singer in the 1920s. When he was young, his parents suggested he study languages and hotel management in Switzerland.

However, in 1962, his father, Alfredo de Almeida, passed away. Carlos returned to Lisbon to help his mother run their fado house called "Faia." His friends heard him sing and encouraged him. Soon, Carlos do Carmo began performing fado at the family's music house.

Carlos do Carmo's Singing Career

Do Carmo performs at Eurovision Song Contest 1976.

Carlos do Carmo's career really took off in the 1970s. During this time, he released many of his most popular songs. He also worked with artists who were against the old government in Portugal, like Fernando Tordo and Ary dos Santos.

After the Carnation Revolution in 1974, Portugal changed a lot. Fado music faced challenges because new protest songs became popular. Fado also got less attention on radio and TV. But Carlos do Carmo was different. He remained popular because he was connected to people who wanted a more democratic Portugal.

In 1976, Carlos do Carmo was chosen to be the only singer for the "Festival da Canção." This contest picks Portugal's song for the Eurovision Song Contest. His song, "Uma flor de verde pinho", won. Later that year, he sang it at the Eurovision Song Contest, finishing in 12th place.

In 1977, Carlos do Carmo released a very important album called Um Homem na Cidade (meaning A Man in the City). This album featured poems about Lisbon by Ary dos Santos. It became one of his biggest successes. People said it was one of the most important fado albums ever. Um Homem na Cidade showed a new, modern style of fado. Its songs talked about things happening in the world at that time.

While fado was always his main style, Carlos do Carmo was also inspired by other musicians. He liked Frank Sinatra, French pop music like Jacques Brel, and Brazilian bossa nova artists like Elis Regina. He even performed with Elis Regina in Brazil in 1973. What made him special was his unique voice and his ability to bring in composers from other music styles, like jazz. He also added orchestras to fado music, which was new. You can hear this in albums like Um Homem na Cidade.

In 1984, he recorded Um Homem no País. This was the first CD ever made in Portugal! He worked closely with other fado singers, like Mariza and Camané, and helped them grow as artists. Carlos do Carmo performed in many famous venues around the world. These included the Royal Albert Hall in London, The Town Hall in New York City, and the Paris Olympia. Some of his most famous songs include "Bairro alto", "Lisboa, menina e moça", "Canoas do tejo", "Os putos", and "Por morrer uma andorinha". In 2019, Carlos do Carmo announced that he would stop performing live concerts.

Personal Life and Passing

In 1964, Carlos do Carmo married Maria Judite de Sousa Leal. They had three children.

Carlos do Carmo passed away on January 1, 2021, in Lisbon. He was 81 years old. He had been taken to the hospital the day before. Portugal declared January 4 a national day of mourning to honor him.

Carlos do Carmo's Legacy

Carlos do Carmo is seen as the most important male fado singer of his time. He came after older legends like Alfredo Marceneiro and before newer singers like Camané. Many people believe he was the artist who helped fado change from its traditional style to the new fado that started in the 1990s. He helped keep fado music alive and popular for new generations.

Discography

Awards and Honors

Carlos do Carmo received many awards for his music.

• In 1998, he won a Portuguese Golden Globe.
• In 2008, he won a Goya Award.
• In 2014, he made history by becoming the first Portuguese artist to win a Latin Grammy Award. He received a special Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for his long and successful career.
• He was also honored by the Portuguese government. In 1997, he became a commander of the Order of Prince Henry.
• In 2016, he became a member of the Order of Merit (Portugal).
• In 2019, he received the Medal of Cultural Merit.

See also

In Spanish: Carlos do Carmo para niños