Singer Astrud Gilberto, best known for her English language rendition of "The Girl from Ipanema", passed away yesterday. No cause of death was given. She was 83.
Gilberto's ascent to stardom six decades ago happened completely by accident. Her husband Joao Gilberto was recording an album with saxophonist Stan Getz and it was determined they needed one more song to finish the album and an English language version of "Garota de Ipanema" was settled upon. They just needed a singer. Joao's wife Astrud volunteered and the rest, as they say, is history. It was Astrud Gilberto's soft yet sultry voice which made bossa nova an international sensation.
Although Gilberto would enjoy a musical career which lasted nearly 40 years before her retirement in 2002, she was never properly compensated for her work on her biggest hit, was undermined by the people closest to her and her success was never accepted in her native Brazil. This is quite a shame. One can only hope the joy Astrud Gilberto brought will outlast and trespasses committed against her. R.I.P.
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