When young singer Almir Ribeiro, who had a meteoric way to the top since he started singing at TV Tupi in late 1956, was invited by impresario Carlos Machado to sing at Punta del Este's poshest night-club little did he know he was signing his own death sentence.
By late 1957, new-face Almir Ribeiro was on top of the world. He had been praised universally as Brazil's New Sensation... he could do no wrong. Everywhere he went and belted his songs he was applauded enthusiastically and praised as the best Brazilian male act! That until he flew to Uruguay's resort town Punta del Este to fulfill a contract at a local night club. On the Sunday he rose earlier than usual and went to the beach with Marisa (Gata Mansa)... and went for a dip in the sea... where he was drowned almost immediately.
Almir Ribeiro had a meteoric career spanning no more than 18 months; from late 1956 until his untimely death by drowning in Punta del Este, Uruguay on 18 February 1958.
14 November 1956 - OESP night-life columnist Mary Wynne describes a quaint scene: she went to a night-club where Almir Ribeiro would sing later. As she had to leave, Almir made a point of going on stage and sing a song especially for her...but the stage manager didn't allow it.
13 August 1957 - After being Sao Paulo's sensation in 1956, Almir Ribeiro descends to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's national capital and wows Cariocas with his powerful voice at Beguin, Hotel Gloria's night club.
23rd August 1957 - Correio da Manhã's columnist Chuck is all praise for Almir Ribeiro in his stint at Boite Beguin.
30 August 1957 - Correio da Manhã's other columnist Barnabé, also praises Almir Ribeiro's performances and voice.
25 January 1957 - Correio da Manhã's columnist Chuck writes 2 notes about Almir Ribeiro's tour of Uruguay's resort Punta del Este where he was supposed to share the stage with show-girl Norma Benguel in songs from the 'High society' sound-track. Cole Porter's 'True love' would be the highlight of the show.
2nd February 1958 - Correio da Manhã's columnist Chuck tells all about Punta del Este at the height of the summer season. Almir Ribeiro & Norma Benguel opened last night.
20 February 1958 - Correio da Manhã brings the sad news that popular flautist player Benedicto Lacerda has died. On the same day, Fat Tuesday, 18 February 1958, Almir Ribeiro drowned in the sea of Punta del Este.
23rd February 1958 - Adding insult to the injury - Correio da Manhã reports that luggage (two items) belonging to deceased singer Almir Ribeiro was stolen from a car that had brought the coffin containing the dead body from the Airport. Ribeiro's family insisted with the Authorities that the coffin would be open for at least one last look at the body of their beloved relative.
23rd February 1958 - Impresario Carlos Machado had to fly to Uruguay to bring Almir Ribeiro's body back to Brazil.
28 February 1958 - Only 9 days after Almir Ribeiro's tragic death in Punta del Este, the whole cast of Carlos Machado's show at the Uruguayan resort was back in Rio de Janeiro. Marisa, one of the singers in the tour was Almir's sweet heart and was heart-broken.
28 April 1958 - Monday - A great concert at Theatro Paramount was organized by some of Sao Paulo's high-society ladies for the benefit of the family of singer Almir Ribeiro who met an untimely death while swimming at sea in Punta del Este, Uruguay on 18 February 1958. Lana Bittencourt, Maysa, Angela Maria, Inezita Barroso, Norma Avian, Elizeth Cardoso, Agostinho dos Santos, Roberto Luna, Agnaldo Rayol and others would be present. Tickets were sold at the theatre and Radio Nacional, Radio Record & Radio Tupi.
30 April 1958 - Mary Wynne says the benefit concert for the family of Almir Ribeiro on Monday night, 28 April 1958, at Theatro Paramount was a smash hit. So much so that the young high-society ladies who organized it are already planning to throw a ball at Boite Oasis on 23rd May 1958 with the title: 'They sing to Almir'.
8 June 1958 - Three months after Almir Ribeiro's tragic death, José Carlos Burle's 'O cantor e o milionário' (The singer and the millionaire) is released in Rio. Anselmo Duarte portrays the singer in the title and was dubbed by Almir Ribeiro's pre-recorded material.
8 June 1958 - Correio da Manhã's gossip columnist Maria Helena went to see 'O cantor e o milionário' and found fault in the difference of Anselmo Duarte's speaking voice and his singing voice which belonged to deceased Almir Ribeiro.
And life goes on...
11 March 1958 - Almir Ribeiro would have been a central figure at 'Rio, I love you', Carlos Machado's newst show a night-club Night-and-Day. Norma Benguel was the star, repeating the repertoire she had sung in Punta del Este along side Almir. New-face Haroldo de Almeida sings the part originally made for Almir. Celia Vilela and Elizabeth Gasper appear as show-girls too.
No comments:
Post a Comment