Vange Leonel facts for kids

Maria Evangelina Leonel Gandolfo (born May 4, 1963 – died July 14, 2014), known as Vange Leonel, was a talented Brazilian singer, songwriter, and writer. She also played rhythm guitar and worked as a journalist. Vange was known for her unique, soulful voice, which reminded many of famous singers like Billie Holiday and Janis Joplin. She first became famous with the post-punk band Nau from 1985 to 1989. After that, she started a successful solo music career in 1991. Vange was also a strong supporter of equal rights for women and the LGBT community.

Vange's Life Story

Vange Leonel was born in São Paulo, Brazil, in 1963. Her family had a history of important people, including a great-grandfather who fought in a big revolution in 1932. She was also a cousin of Nando Reis, a member of the famous band Titãs.

Vange's musical journey began in 1985 when she joined the post-punk band Nau. The word "Nau" means "carrack" (a type of old sailing ship) in Portuguese. In 1987, Nau released their first album with CBS Records. They also appeared on a compilation album called Não São Paulo, Vol. 2. However, the band broke up in 1989, and Vange decided to start her own music career.

Her first solo album, called Vange, came out in 1991. This album featured her most famous song, "Noite Preta," which was used as the opening song for a popular Brazilian TV show called Vamp. Another song from the album, "Esse Mundo," was also used in another TV show, Perigosas Peruas.

In 1996, Vange released her second solo work, an EP (a shorter album) called Vermelho. She released this EP through an independent record label called Medusa Records, which she started with her partner, Cilmara Bedaque. Cilmara also helped Vange write many of her songs, even back when she was in the band Nau. Vermelho was not as popular as her first album, so Vange decided to focus more on writing books and plays.

Vange was open about her personal life and became a strong supporter of equal rights for all people, including women and the LGBT community. In 1999, she published her first book, Lésbicas. This was followed by Grrrls: Garotas Iradas in 2001. Both books were collections of articles she had written for an LGBT magazine. She also wrote for other well-known magazines and websites.

In 2000, Vange wrote her first theatre play, As Sereias da Rive Gauche. It was performed that same year and later published as a book in 2002. Her only novel, Balada para as Meninas Perdidas, was released in 2003. Her fifth and final book was the play Joana Evangelista, which came out in 2006.

In 2012, Vange mentioned in an interview that she was working on translating a famous 1928 novel called Ladies Almanack into Portuguese. It's not known if she finished this translation before she passed away.

Her Passing and What She Left Behind

In June 2014, Vange was diagnosed with a serious illness called ovarian cancer. She was admitted to a hospital in São Paulo for treatment. Sadly, the illness spread quickly, and the treatments were not successful. Vange passed away on July 14, 2014, at the age of 51. She was cremated, and her ashes were buried the next day in Itapecerica da Serra.

On November 6, 2014, Vange was honored after her death with the Order of Cultural Merit, a special award for people who have made important contributions to culture.

Her Personal Life

Vange began a relationship with Cilmara Bedaque in 1986. They officially registered their partnership in 1995, and their relationship lasted until Vange's death in 2014.

Her Music Albums

With Nau

Solo Albums

As a Guest Musician

Mercenárias

• 1986: Cadê as Armas? (she sang extra vocals in the song "Santa Igreja")

See also

In Spanish: Vange Leonel para niños