1941

Born in Mato Grosso do Sul (CW), on the border of Brazil and Paraguay, Ney joined the air forces at the age of 17, being later transferred to Brasí¬©a (DC). Whithin a few years, Matogrosso started singing in a vocal quartet and performed at college festivals. Dreaming of one day becoming a stage actor, Ney moved to Rio de Janeiro in 1966, where he lived as a hippie and made ends meet by selling arts and crafts. In 1971, he moved to Sã¯ Paulo, adopted the artistic name Ney Matogrosso, and joined the group Secos e Molhados, which in less than 18 months became a phenomenon, selling 1 million records. Endowed with a unique counter-tenor voice and an amazing stage presence, Ney?s career soared.

After the group Secos e Molhados split up, Ney pursued a successful solo career in Brazil and abroad, obtaining several Gold and Platinum records.

Famous for his over-the-top costumes, make-up, daring movements and singular high-pitch voice, Ney has always been regarded as a polemic character. One of his greatest hits was the song "Homem com H" (by Ant? Barros).

In the 1970's he released albums that were very important for his career: "Pecado", "Bandido", "Feitiç¯¢ and "Seu Tipo". In that period, Ney toured round United States, Argentina, Uruguay, Europe and Israel, performing hits like "Amé²©ca do Sul" (Paulo Machado), "Bandolero" (Lucinha) and "Nã¯ Existe Pecado ao Sul do Equador" (Chico Buarque/ Rui Guerra). In the 80's, Ney recorded "Por Debaixo dos Panos" (Ceceu), "Tanto Amar" (Chico Buarque), "Ando Meio Desligado" (Mutantes), "Sangue Latino" (Joã¯ Ricardo/ Paulo Mendonç¡© and "Vereda Tropical" (Gonzalo Curiel).

In 1986, Matogrosso performed for the first time without wearing fancy costumes, adopting a low-key image. Since then, he has focused on his work as a singer, recorded true gems from the BPM stash. Such repertoire first appeared on the album "O Pescador de Pé²¯las" (1986), which featured "O Mundo É um Moinho" (Cartola), "Dora" (Dorival Caymmi), "Da Cor do Pecado" (Bororó© ¡nd "Aquarela do Brasil" (Ary Barroso).

Ney toured with guitarist Raphael Rabello, with whom he recorded the album "?Flor da Pele" in 1990. Then, he made two albums as a tribute to Brazilian performers/songwriters, like Â®gela Maria ("Estava Escrito", 1994) and Chico Buarque ("Um Brasileiro", 1996).