Leandro e Leonardo

Leandro e Leonardo were a Brazilian sertanejo duo. The two brothers, Leandro (born Luís José Costa, August 15, 1961 - June 23, 1998) and Leonardo (Emival Eterno Costa, born July 25, 1963), were from Goianápolis.

History[]

The brothers were raised in a poor family in Brazil, and worked on their parents' farm and did odd jobs. Emival convinced his brother to move to the city, and the two learned to play songs by Chitãozinho & Xororó, Roberto Carlos and The Beatles, playing locally in a group called Os Dominantes. After moving to Brasília, where they lived with their uncle Zé (who also arranged gigs for them), they began performing as Leandro & Leonardo, the name of twins recently born in the city.

After a few years of local and regional performances, they were offered spots on local television stations, and their first album came out in 1983. However, it wasn't until 1989 that they began to hit big on the Brazilian charts, with their Vol. 3 release. The group became superstars in the early 1990s, selling several million copies of their albums and obtaining a weekly show on Brazilian television. Music by Leandro and Leonardo sold 35 million records. The album Leandro & Leonardo Vol. 4 sold 3.3 million records and is the best-selling Brazilian country music album of all time.

Leandro was diagnosed with lung cancer in April 1998 and died two months later, on June 23. Leonardo continues to record as a solo artist.

Personal lives[]

Leonardo's son is a well-known young sertanejo universitario singer under the name Zé Felipe.

Discography[]

Albums[]

• 1983: Leandro & Leonardo
• 1986: Explosão de Desejos
• 1987: Leandro & Leonardo Vol. 2
• 1989: Leandro & Leonardo Vol. 3
• 1990: Leandro & Leonardo Vol. 4
• 1991: Leandro & Leonardo Vol. 5
• 1992: Leandro & Leonardo Vol. 6
• 1993: Leandro & Leonardo Vol. 7
• 1994: Leandro & Leonardo Vol. 8
• 1995: Leandro & Leonardo Vol. 9
• 1995: Temporal de Amor
• 1996: Leandro & Leonardo Vol. 10
• 1997: Leandro & Leonardo Vol. 11
• 1998: Só Para Crianças
• 1998: Um Sonhador

Spanish albums[]

• 1995: Leandro y Leonardo en Español
• 1996: Leandro y Leonardo en Español Vol.2
• 1997: Leandro y Leonardo los Grandes Éxitos

External links[]

• Leonardo's Official website
• Leandro y Leonardo at Allmusic.com