José Manuel Cerqueira Afonso dos Santos, professionally known as José Afonso or Zeca Afonso, was a Portuguese singer-songwriter. Born August 2, 1929 in Aveiro, Portugal, his career began while studying at the University of Coimbra. His first recordings appeared in 1953, followed by the debut EP Fados de Coimbra (1956). Afonso’s breakthrough came with the studio album Baladas e Canções (1964), and the release Contos Velhos Rumos Novos (1969) earned him the Casa da Imprensa award for best album. Under the Orfeu label, he produced Cantigas do Maio (1971), Eu Vou Ser Como a Toupeira (1972), and Venham Mais Cinco (1973). The song “Grândola, Vila Morena”, featured on the 1971 album, became a radio-broadcast signal for the Carnation Revolution on April 25, 1974. Subsequent albums included Coro dos Tribunais (1974), Enquanto Há Força (1978), and Galinhas do Mato (1985). Afonso died in Setúbal on February 23, 1987, with posthumous releases and the 1994 tribute album and festival Filhos da Madrugada honoring his legacy.
