António Variações

biography António Variações was a Portuguese singer and composer who stood out for his originality and irreverence in the early 1980s. He was born in 1944, in Fiscal, Amares, into a peasant family. He showed an interest in music from an early age, influenced by his father who played the cavaquinho and accordion. At the age of 12, he moved to Lisbon, where he worked as a barber, office worker and clerk. In 1976, he returned to Portugal after a period in Amsterdam, where he was inspired by the city's culture and music. It was at that time that he adopted the artistic name António Variações and began composing his own songs, mixing influences from fado, rock, pop and traditional Portuguese music. In 1981, he signed a contract with the publisher Valentim de Carvalho and recorded his first single, “Povo que Lavas no Rio”. In 1983, he released his first album, “Anjo da Guarda”, which included songs such as “É p’ra Ajante” and “O Corpo é que Paga”. The following year, he released his second and last album, “Dar e Receiver”, with songs such as “Canção de Engate” and “Quero Além”. His career was interrupted by his premature death, on June 13, 1984, victim of complications related to AIDS. António Variações left a legacy of creativity and innovation in Portuguese music, being considered one of the most influential and charismatic artists in the country. His work was revisited by several musicians and bands, such as Humans, Da Weasel, Clã and Deolinda. His life was portrayed in films, documentaries, books and exhibitions. In 2006, he was posthumously awarded the Order of Infante D. Henrique.