The singer-songwriter Gal Costa, one of the most important artists of Brazilian popular music, died on 10th November at the age of 77 in São Paulo, Brazil. The news was released by the singer’s press office that she did not explain the causes of her death. Gal Costa was due to perform last week at the Primavera Sound Festival in Sao Paulo, but her participation had been cancelled as well as all her scheduled engagements in November. Although the artist underwent surgery in September of last year to have a tumour removed from the right side of her nasal cavity, there is no evidence to suggest that the procedure is connected to her passing in any manner.
Maria da Graca Costa Penna Burgos was born into the world on September 26, 1945, in the city of Salvador de Bahia. As a teenager, she worked at a famous record shop, an experience that allowed her to learn about all the musical innovations of the time and which contributed to her childhood dream of becoming a singer. While still a teenager, Gal Costa befriended Caetano Veloso, Maria Bethânia and Gilberto Gil, with whom she will be part of the group known as Doces Bárbaros.
Her debut as a singer took place in June 1964 in the show “Nós, por exemplo”, which marked the opening of the Teatro Vila Velha in Salvador, performing alongside Caetano Veloso, Tom Zé, Maria Bethânia, Djalma Correa, Alcivando Luz, Pitti, Fernando Lona and Gilberto Gil. In the same year, the group also presented the show “Nova bossa Velha, Velha bossa nova”. Icon of the movement known as “Tropicália”, Gal Costa participated in the album of the same name, ou Panis et Circences. In 1977 the album “Caras e bocas”, which included the song “Tigresa” by Caetano Veloso, marked his career with excellent reviews. In 1980 he won his third gold disc with the LP “Aquarela do Brasil”, in which she recorded only songs by Ary Barroso.
