Brazilian singer, José Mauro, has died following a short illness at age 76.
Far Out Recordings, the record label that reissued his 1970 album Obnoxius, confirmed his passing in an Instagram post, uploaded on Monday.
The record label paid tribute to his life in the Instagram caption as they detailed his career, which included the release of two records Obnoxius (1970) and A Viagem Das Horas (1976), and how he seemingly seemingly vanished in the 1970s.
While referring to his disappearance in the 1970s, Far Out Recordings wrote that ‘the briefness of José Mauro’s career led to widespread rumours that Mauro had been abducted by the military junta, or that he’d died in a road accident.’
‘The reality was more straightforward: he’d decided not to continue in his career as a recording artist due to a lack of commercial success. Mauro would continue living and working in Rio, writing music for theatre and working as a musical director at the Tablado Theatre School, while also teaching guitar,’ the record label explained.
Brazilian singer, José Mauro, has died following a short illness at age 76
Years, later, however, Mauro had to stop ‘playing music’ due to health complications.
Far Out learned that Mauro was still alive and ‘living a quiet life on the outskirts of Rio’ after rereleasing his album, Obnoxius, in 2016.
Far Out Recordings credited his nephew, David Butter, for helping them get in touch with him ahead of the re-issue of A Viagam Das Horas in 2021.
After his return to the spotlight, the record label noted that he was finally able to ‘set the record straight about the rumours of his passing and reflect on his music, his life and his much deserved new found acclaim.’
Over the weekend, his nephew, David, took to social media to honor Mauro’s legacy as well as inform his uncle’s fans that he died of pneumonia.
In a post translated from Portuguese to English, David wrote that his uncle passed away on Friday.
He noted that he would miss his and his uncle’s ‘daily exchange of impressions about music’ and their time together.
‘I love you uncle,’ he concluded. ‘I am sure the mass you sang resonated today in the highest place to receive you.’