Singer and composer Carlos Lyra dies at the age of 90
The singer, guitarist and composer Carlos Lyra, one of the most renowned and influential artists in Brazilian music, died this Saturday (16) in Rio at the age of 90.
Geniuses go down in history because they write unforgettable chapters. Carlinho's Lyra is one of them.
He helped revolutionize MPB and create one of our most important music genres.
Maestro Tom Jobim said that Lyra “knows the ways.” The greatest bossa nova melodist.
1 of 3 Carlos Lyra died at the age of 90 in the early hours of this Saturday (16) Photo: Reproduction/Jornal Nacional Carlos Lyra died at the age of 90 in the early hours of this Saturday (16) Photo: Reproduction /Jornal National
In a short biography on the Internet, Carlos Lyra told how music came into his life. The father danced like no other and played the flute. The mother, violin. He also said that he broke his leg while participating in a long jump championship during his military service. He won the tournament but had to be immobilized. His mother then decided to give him a guitar so he could pass the time. It was the starting signal for a successful career.
The first composition was written in 1954 and was called “Quando Chegares”.
So many remarkable voices sang Carlinho's lyra, such as João Gilberto, Elis Regina.
On stage he stood next to Maria Bethania and Miúcha.
In his nearly 70year career, Carlos Lyra has created unforgettable partnerships. He had one of his biggest hits with the poet Vinicius de Moraes.
Other big names such as Ronaldo Boscoli, Dolores Duran and Roberto Menescal were also on the list.
2 of 3 Carlos Lyra was one of the biggest names in Brazilian music Photo: Reproduction/Jornal Nacional Carlos Lyra was one of the biggest names in Brazilian music Photo: Reproduction/Jornal Nacional
He composed music for cinema and theater.
At the beginning of the military regime in 1964, he decided to leave Brazil. He preferred selfexile to dictatorship. Despite this, an entire album was censored. He lived in the USA and Mexico for 12 years. And there he made many friends, such as the American sphonist Stang Getz, who became a great admirer of bossa nova.
Eight years ago, he remembered his musical influences and old partnerships as he once again stepped onto one of the world's most famous stages. Carnaggie Hall in New York.
“So at Carnaggie Hall we had contact with a lot of American musicians. “With our idols, right,” said the singer and songwriter.
The musician died in the early hours of Saturday (16) at the Unimed Rio Hospital in the western zone of the city. He was admitted to hospital with fever on Thursday (14). The cause of death was not disclosed.
Carlos Lyra traveled around the world with Bossa Nova. But he didn't forget his great passion, the city in which he was born.
“I did that for Rio. Actually, I shouldn't have even said it. Because she says it like this it's a surprise:
Forgive my silence
All these years
At least I didn't say it
How much I love you”
Sensitivity and talent that have immortalized songs.
The man who gained the gift of transformation from life.
3 of 3 Carlos Lyra was one of the creators of Bossa Nova Photo: Reproduction/Jornal Nacional Carlos Lyra was one of the creators of Bossa Nova Photo: Reproduction/Jornal Nacional