Zeca Afonso

biography José Manuel Cerqueira Afonso dos Santos, better known as Zeca Afonso, was a Portuguese singer and composer born in Aveiro on August 2, 1929. Zeca Afonso became known for being the author of “Grândola, Vila Morena”, which was used by the Armed Forces Movement to confirm that the April 25 Revolution was underway. He passed away in Setúbal on February 23, 1987. Zeca Afonso is the author of the song “Grândola, Vila Morena”, which was broadcast on Rádio Renascença in the early hours of April 25, 1974. The song, banned by the dictatorship due to its allusion to communism, was the signal that civilians and soldiers from the Armed Forces Movement (MFA) were waiting to start the uprising that would put an end to 48 years of fascist dictatorship and 13 years of colonial wars in Portugal. The song became a symbol of revolution and democracy in Portugal. Zeca Afonso is known for many famous songs, “Traz Outro Amigo Also”, “vejam bem”, “Venham Mais Cinco”, “Era Um Redondo Vocábulo” and “Canção De Embalar”.