Brazilian show business 50s, 60s & 70s: MARTINHA & Luiz Fabiano

Martinha became a sudden sensation in 1967, when she appeared at 'Jovem Guarda' a TV Sunday afternoon rock show singing songs written by herself. Actually, Roberto Carlos, the show's commander had recorded Martinha's 'Eu daria minha vida' (I would give my life away) that went straight to #1, giving a boost to her career. Martinha was only 17 years old when she wrote that song.

Martinha recorded 'Barra limpa' for AU (Artistas Unidos) an independent label associated with Recife's Mocambo Records which soon released Martinha's very first album 'Eu te amo mesmo assim' (I love you despite of everything) which catapulted her to #1 all over the country.

Luiz Fabiano shows a few chords to Martinha...

Martinha exchange songs & ideas with new-comer Luiz Fabiano.

Intervalo 1st July 1967.

Martinha's 1st album went to #1 and she was hailed as a phenomenon by US's Billboard magazine. It was released in France too.

Martinha had an international career too. Here's her 45 giri 'Va' (Vai) backed with 'Io darei la vita mia' which was recorded by Marisa Sannia too.

CGD released Marisa Sannia's cover of 'Eu daria a minha vida' (Io darei la vita mia) in September 1969; Martinha meets Rita Pavone in 1968, in São Paulo while Rita was on her honey-moon.

Roberto Carlos put Martinha on the way to stardom when he recorded her 'Eu daria minha vida'.

Luiz Fabiano's first hit with 'Se você se arrepender' (1968) for Odeon; which had been released as a B side.

Luiz Fabiano's good looks helped him a little.

Fabiano's 1969 double-album for Beverly.

Beverly released a double-disc album; the first disc had 12 songs sung by Luiz Fabiano; on the 2nd disc there were 12 play-backs that the buyer could play and sing himself on top of it as a karaoke. I think this is a one-off experience in the phonographic industry.

lyrics printed inside the cover to help the buyer sing along with the play-back.

Luiz Fabiano's 1973 album for Ancora Records, a Copacabana subsidiary.

Luiz Fabiano, whose real name was Jayr Campos Rodrigues was born on 5 May 1942, in Tupã-SP, a town 600 km west of São Paulo, where he started singing professionally in 1958, when he was only 16 years old. He crooned for Tupã's local bands like Mario & seu conjunto, Jasson & sua orquestra and Nelson & sua orquestra.

Fabiano moved to São Paulo and fronted the Sylvio Mazzucca's orchestra for some time. When Channel 9 broadcast the II Song Festival in June 1966, he sang 'Canção para um maiô azul com bolinhas brancas' (Song for a blue swim-trunk with white dots) written by himself and no doubt inspired by Brian Hyland's 'Itsy bitsy teenie mini yellow polka dot bikini' as Jair Campos. The song was placed #9 but the album containing the finalist songs was never actually produced and Fabiano did not have a record he could plug around.

Luiz Fabiano was finally given the chance of his life later on in 1966, when he was spotted by singer-producer Tony Campello while singing at a private party. Campello signed him for Odeon and he finally hit the charts with 'Se você se arrepender' in 1968. His lucky stars gave him another gift when Roberto Carlos recorded his 'Você me pediu' for 'As 14 Mais - Volume XXII' best-selling album.

Later Fabiano moved on to Beverly-Copacabana where he recorded 'Meu bem, ao menos telefone', written by Ricky Ricardo & Paulo Roberto, one of his greatest hit which was included in his first album in 1969.

After leaving Beverly-Copacabana, Luiz Fabiano recorded for Continental Discos for many years.

1968 was a big year for Luiz Fabiano. He had his biggest solo hit and Roberto Carlos recorded 'Você me pediu' which was track 1 for 'As 14 Mais - Vol. 22'.