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proverbs, popular wisdom, and personal experiences and he had a notable ability to spin commonplaces into original and compelling imagery. This popular character of his words made it easy for most of his listeners to identify with the themes of the songs, which often speak about restlessness, feelings of escapism or the deceitful nature of love affairs. A few of his songs have an autobiographical resonance (such as "Olhei P'ra Trás", where he describes the sorrowful but hopeful departure from his small village or "Deolinda de Jesus", dedicated to his mother).
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518:, to accordions and more. Defying genre definition, he created his own description for his sound: something between Braga and New York, reflecting the cosmopolitan, yet down to earth and rural aspect of his eclectic style. He was intent on becoming a popular artist in the true sense of the word and he managed to reach audiences which were very diverse, from the blue collar to the white collar workers, to the uneducated and the intellectuals, to young and old alike.
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435:, where family, friends, fellow musicians, barbers, and fans paid their last respects. The funeral stirred some controversy because the authorities ordered that his coffin be sealed for public health concerns, which further fueled the rumors that he had died as a result of AIDS-related complications. The family of António Variações doesn't acknowledge that this was the actual cause of death (or that he was a
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647:) on the recording of "Dar & Receber". The five members of Heróis do Mar acted as António's studio band; they would become close to Variações, especially Pedro Ayres Magalhães, who speaks fondly of him on the liner notes of "Dar & Receber": "I thank you António, for your enthusiasm and trust, and I would like to write here that I've gained a friendship".
250:), the fifth of ten children of Deolinda de Jesus and Jaime Ribeiro. As a child, his love of music often took him away from his fieldwork chores and towards the local folklore celebrations. He completed his basic education at the age of eleven and soon after took up his first job making small trinkets in the neighboring village of Caldelas.
359:, and an original song of his own authorship, "Estou Além", one of his best known songs that would feature in his first LP record. The cover song of the untouchable fado caused controversy among many, but over time became accepted as a heartfelt tribute of Variações to Amália Rodrigues, to whom he dedicated his first
226:, he became one of the most culturally significant performing artists of recent Portuguese history. His recorded works blended contemporary music genres with traditional Portuguese rhythms and melodies, creating music which for many is symbolic of the liberalization that occurred in Portuguese society after the
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At the time of his death, Variações left behind a box containing over forty tapes and studio reels, which were forgotten for a long time, at first in the possession of his brother, Jaime
Ribeiro. These were then kept for over ten years by David Ferreira at EMI-Valentim de Carvalho, until journalist
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Despite having only the minimum education (at the time, four years of basic instruction, although he also attended night school classes in Lisbon for some time) and no music training, Variações had a deep sense of rhythm and a keen mastery of the written word. Variações' lyrics are often a mix of
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started to circulate, which, given the prejudice towards the disease at the time, made him a target of some discrimination. Save for his family and closest friends, he received few visitors during his stay at the hospital. In June, the press released news that his health state had deteriorated
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singer of international renown. Apart from dedicating his first LP to her and covering one of her songs, he also wrote an ode to the singer, recorded as the song "Voz-Amália-de-Nós", in which he sings "All of us have Amália in our voice and we have in her voice the voice of all of us" (Amália
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Not knowing how to play or compose music did not stop António from making music by himself. He would, using a tape recorder, mimicking sounds and rhythms while he sang, using his own voice or even tapping his hands on different objects. These recordings were then used by his supporting studio
626:. This encounter with a different musical culture left a deep impression on him; a testament to this is the fact that his first song experiments were written in English (although he soon abandoned this approach, in search of a more authentic and personal style of writing, in Portuguese).
590:(dedicating the LP "Dar & Receber" to Pessoa, in a cryptically unfinished sentence, and using one of his poems on the song "Canção") and some of his lyrics share similarities with the feelings expressed on some of Pessoa's poems. Another of the artist's major influences was
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Because Variações did not have the knowledge to properly compose music by himself, collaboration with other musicians at the writing, recording and producing stages was necessary. He would first collaborate with the musicians Vítor Rua, Tóli César
Machado (both from the band
575:— Excerpted translation of the song "É p'ra Amanhã", which has procrastination as its theme. The colloquial tone, set by the Portuguese popular saying, "Don't leave for tomorrow what you can do today" reproaches the listener, reminding them of the fleeting nature of time.
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Parallel to this day job, he started working the local club scene at night, along with a group of musicians dubbed "Variações" (translated, "Variations", a word which suggested the diversity of the singer's influences, sound, and style). His garish visuals and
439:), but it is assumed by most that he was one of the first public victims of the disease in Portugal. His former manager, Teresa Couto Pinto, has claimed that, prior to his death, Variações had received clinical test results performed in the
363:, "Anjo da Guarda", released in 1983, to great critical and popular acclaim. Two of the songs from this release, "O Corpo É Que Paga" and "É P'ra Amanhã" experienced frequent radio airplay, the latter being released as a Summer single.
315:, one of the most important record labels in Portugal, but, despite signing a contract, he would not be allowed to record anything for another four years because the executives were unsure about the genre that best suited his work,
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Newspaper clipping, announcing one of Variações' first concerts at the Lisbon nightclub, Trumps, on 18 March 1981. At this point, he was simply billed as: "António, author-interpreter, with the band
Kamikaze and
474:, but never had the chance to become a serious musician. From his travels abroad, Variações was able to get in touch with artists and genres which were not widely known back home and began fusing genres such as
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of 1974. The original and provocative nature of his recorded works has led to him being widely recognized as one of the most innovative artists in the recent history of
Portuguese popular music.
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was released in August 2019 in
Portugal. The script was written by film director João Maia and it is a Production by David & Golias, with António's role being portrayed by Sérgio Praia.
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After a series of concerts, António returned to the studio and, between the 6 and 25 February 1984, recorded his second and final LP, entitled "Dar & Receber" (together with most of the
323:, and therefore could not come to a consensus as to what should be done with the unusual artist. In February 1981, he appeared with his band in a popular TV show presented by
379:"Canção de Engate" one of the artist's biggest hits). Two months later, he would perform his last concert in the Portuguese parish of Viatodos (part of the municipality of
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salon in the country and afterwards a barber shop downtown (among his clients there would be several people from the music industry, who would help launch his career).
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invited him to appear in his show. Following this appearance, he would be a guest a few times on "Febre de Sábado de Manhã", a radio show on
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musicians as the basis for the song arrangements. Variações' music is characterized by the use of a variety of instruments, ranging from
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line-up), which would be released in May of the same year and received once again with great enthusiasm on all fronts (having in the
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where he took up hairdressing, which he would continue to practice when returning to Lisbon in the following year, opening the first
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singer and songwriter. Despite his short-lived career due to his premature death at the age of thirty-nine, using the stage name of
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took up the enterprise of listening to and transcribing them, which would become the beginning of the musical project known as
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was a usual customer of António Variações's barber shop, and at a certain visit, he told him that he wrote songs. As a result,
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Clinic. At the time, the health of the artist was severely debilitated and rumours about his condition being brought on by
383:), during the festival of "Feira da Isabelinha". In April he would make his last public appearance at the television show
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Rodrigues is a
Portuguese national icon). Both artists would only meet on stage once, a concert at the Aula Magna of the
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António Variações had no formal music training. His first musical influence was his father, who played
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447:-positive. His remains were buried in the cemetery of Fiscal, Amares, where they still rest today.
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fashion accessories, uncommon for a man at the time in
Portugal, soon started to become noticed.
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From his extensive travels abroad, he got acquainted with the work of foreign artists like
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In July 1982, his first single was released, this time under the name of
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At dawn on 13 June, António Variações died due to a bilateral bronchial
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António Variações was born in Lugar do Pilar, in the small village of
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Bust of António Variações in Fiscal, Amares, sculpted by the artist
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355:"Povo Que Lavas No Rio", immortalized by the diva of the genre,
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António Variações was a fervent admirer of the
Portuguese poet
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2017 - União das Tribos feat. Miguel Ângelo - Canção de Engate
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A História de António Variações - entre Braga e Nova Iorque
265:, returning home safe, but almost immediately departing to
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for a brief time in 1976, António Variações roamed to
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Minha cara sem fronteiras - entre Braga e Nova Iorque
799:(best-of which includes previously unreleased demos)
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543:Because tomorrow who knows if you'll still be here
419:António Variações' coffin is carried away, at the
351:. This recording featured a cover of the seminal
1034:but its sources remain unclear because it lacks
858:2016 - Telmo Pires - Ao passar por Braga abaixo
849:2013 - Dead Combo & Márcia - Visões Ficções
253:At the age of twelve, he moved to the capital,
218:, (3 December 1944 – 13 June 1984) was a
777:(third studio album, includes the bonus track
395:On 18 May 1984, Variações was admitted to the
870:2020 - Lina e Raül Refree - Voz Amália de Nós
8:
932:António Variações: Entre Braga e Nova Iorque
907:A biographical movie about António Variações
551:Even from those who say they're here to stay
16:Portuguese singer and songwriter (1944–1984)
846:2012 - Tiago Bettencourt - Canção de Engate
53:of quality, and to make it neutral in tone.
831:1997 - Isabel Sivestre - Deolinda de Jesus
311:In 1978, António submitted a demo tape to
80:
1065:Learn how and when to remove this message
431:. His funeral was held on 15 June at the
69:Learn how and when to remove this message
886:1994 - Variações - As canções de António
1086:"António Variações – Dar & Receber"
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852:2014 - OqueStrada - Parei na Madrugada
843:2008 - André Sardet - Anjinho da Guarda
998:(Spotify streaming of Variações songs)
873:2020 - Zeca Baleiro - Canção de Engate
867:2017 - The Beheaded - Canção de Engate
861:2017 - Filipe Catto - Canção de Engate
564:When you think of the time you've lost
855:2015 - Linda Martini - Visões-ficções
556:Yet another day and you lived nothing
7:
1132:20th-century Portuguese male writers
1127:20th-century Portuguese male singers
837:2004 - Funkoffandfly - Dar e receber
726:Posthumous releases and remasterings
1212:20th-century Portuguese LGBT people
1137:20th-century Portuguese songwriters
892:2006 - Humanos - Humanos ao Vivo -
568:Then you want to, but it's too late
547:Oh you know well how life runs away
948:; Relógio de Água Editores; 2006;
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816:1987 - Delfins - Canção de Engate
307:Signing with Valentim de Carvalho
216:António Joaquim Rodrigues Ribeiro
113:António Joaquim Rodrigues Ribeiro
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560:You let the days go by unchanged
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1192:AIDS-related deaths in Portugal
978:A História de António Variações
840:2005 - RAMP - Anjinho da Guarda
834:2004 - Donna Maria - Estou Além
819:1995 - Amarguinhas - Estou Além
989:(Official site of the project)
825:1996 - MDA - Dar & Receber
443:confirming that he was indeed
1:
883:1989 - Lena D'Água - Tu Aqui
768:O Melhor de António Variações
403:and later transferred to the
980:(Official site of the album)
895:2019 - Variações - Variações
539:You might as well live today
339:presented by the same host.
1182:Portuguese LGBT songwriters
1142:Portuguese male songwriters
699:Quando Fala Um Português...
399:with symptoms of asthmatic
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387:, hosted by Júlio Isidro.
1147:Portuguese folk musicians
889:2004 - Humanos - Humanos
790:Minha cara sem fronteiras
90:
1172:Portuguese gay musicians
1152:Portuguese pop musicians
1020:This article includes a
934:; Âncora Editora; 2006;
822:1995 - Íris - Estou Além
750:(remixed by Nuno Miguel)
1177:Portuguese LGBT singers
1167:Portuguese hairdressers
1157:Portuguese folk singers
1049:more precise citations.
828:1996 - MDA - Estou Além
397:Pulido Valente hospital
263:Portuguese Colonial War
1162:Portuguese pop singers
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103:Background information
34:may be written from a
779:Povo que lavas no rio
685:Povo Que Lavas No Rio
535:Leave it for tomorrow
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40:neutral point of view
944:Variações, António;
601:University of Lisbon
494:with his Portuguese
313:Valentim de Carvalho
228:Carnation Revolution
205:Valentim de Carvalho
367:"Dar & Receber"
36:fan's point of view
1022:list of references
930:Gonzaga, Manuela;
744:O Corpo É Que Paga
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97:Variações in 1982.
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343:"Anjo da Guarda"
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348:
346:
333:Júlio Isidro
329:Júlio Isidro
325:Júlio Isidro
310:
283:
252:
237:
223:
215:
214:
188:Years active
146:(1984-06-13)
144:13 June 1984
65:
56:
33:
1202:Gay singers
1122:1984 deaths
1117:1944 births
1047:introducing
812:Cover songs
668:Discography
624:The Beatles
612:Bryan Ferry
608:David Bowie
261:during the
47:clean it up
1111:Categories
1003:References
689:Estou Além
582:Influences
512:Portuguese
472:cavaquinho
437:homosexual
401:bronchitis
377:torch song
234:Early life
220:Portuguese
124:1944-12-03
109:Birth name
996:Variações
770:(best-of)
645:Madredeus
616:The Kinks
468:accordion
429:pneumonia
405:Red Cross
321:pop music
275:Amsterdam
192:1978–1984
1055:May 2019
913:See also
806:Tributes
492:new wave
381:Barcelos
302:friends"
271:Portugal
173:new wave
155:Portugal
135:Portugal
59:May 2019
1090:Discogs
1043:improve
987:Humanos
919:Humanos
795:2006 -
784:2000 -
773:1998 -
766:1997 -
753:1998 -
742:1997 -
736:1997 -
732:Singles
716:1984 -
710:1983 -
693:1983 -
683:1982 -
679:Singles
662:Humanos
651:Humanos
502:roots.
45:Please
1096:30 May
1092:. 1984
952:
938:
879:Albums
762:Albums
522:Lyrics
293:Career
279:unisex
267:London
259:Angola
255:Lisbon
244:Amares
240:Fiscal
197:Labels
161:Genres
151:Lisbon
131:Amares
1028:, or
510:, to
488:blues
391:Death
248:Braga
1098:2022
950:ISBN
936:ISBN
622:and
596:fado
594:, a
514:and
500:fado
498:and
496:folk
490:and
484:jazz
480:rock
470:and
409:AIDS
353:fado
317:folk
287:camp
169:folk
141:Died
118:Born
706:LPs
637:GNR
476:pop
445:HIV
319:or
201:EMI
165:Pop
1113::
1088:.
1032:,
1024:,
664:.
618:,
614:,
610:,
486:,
482:,
478:,
361:LP
246:,
203:-
171:,
167:,
153:,
133:,
1100:.
1068:)
1062:(
1057:)
1053:(
1039:.
792:)
781:)
746:/
697:/
687:/
423:.
242:(
126:)
122:(
72:)
66:(
61:)
57:(
43:.
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