Biography
José Ricardo launched his career as a child performer on Rádio Guanabara before moving to Rádio Mauá, building a reputation as a leading jovem guarda vocalist who also ventured into bossa nova and carnival repertoire, drawing criticism for those stylistic detours. In 1958 he placed third in César de Alencar’s talent contest A Voz de Ouro A.B.C. on Rádio Nacional, finishing behind Clara Nunes. RCA Victor signed him in 1962, and he remained with the label for a decade. His debut album, Eu Que Amo Somente a Ti (1963), featured the title track by Sergio Endrigo and the bolero “O Travesseiro” by José Messias, both of which became hits; that same year Revista do Rádio named him Revelation of the Year. The following year brought further success with “Somente Uma Saudade” and “Canção da Serra,” the latter credited to Evaldo Gouveia and Jair Amorim.
Para Viver um Grande Amor, recorded with Marília Barbosa, marked the first time any jovem guarda artist had interpreted bossa nova material, drawing on songs by Vinícius de Moraes, Carlos Lyra, and Tom Jobim. Additional chart entries included “Cantiga Por Luciana” by Edmundo Souto and Paulinho Tapajós, “Gina,” his covers of the jovem guarda staples “O Homem Que Não Sabia Amar” and “Quando Digo Que Te Amo,” “Meu Primeiro Amor” by Cascatinha e Inhana, “Eu Te Amo,” “Eterna Paixão,” Raul Seixas’s “São Coisas da Vida,” and “Poxa” by Gilson de Souza. In 1987 Ricardo toured the United States, appearing in Miami, Philadelphia, Washington, New Jersey, and New York, as well as Canada and Israel. He also held a long-term post on the Rádio Nacional roster and spent three years at TV Record in São Paulo, performing on Corte-Rayol Show, Esta Noite Se Improvisa, O Fino da Bossa, and Jovem Guarda.
Para Viver um Grande Amor, recorded with Marília Barbosa, marked the first time any jovem guarda artist had interpreted bossa nova material, drawing on songs by Vinícius de Moraes, Carlos Lyra, and Tom Jobim. Additional chart entries included “Cantiga Por Luciana” by Edmundo Souto and Paulinho Tapajós, “Gina,” his covers of the jovem guarda staples “O Homem Que Não Sabia Amar” and “Quando Digo Que Te Amo,” “Meu Primeiro Amor” by Cascatinha e Inhana, “Eu Te Amo,” “Eterna Paixão,” Raul Seixas’s “São Coisas da Vida,” and “Poxa” by Gilson de Souza. In 1987 Ricardo toured the United States, appearing in Miami, Philadelphia, Washington, New Jersey, and New York, as well as Canada and Israel. He also held a long-term post on the Rádio Nacional roster and spent three years at TV Record in São Paulo, performing on Corte-Rayol Show, Esta Noite Se Improvisa, O Fino da Bossa, and Jovem Guarda.
Albums
