Sergio Mendes, Pioneering Brazilian Music Star, Dies

Share This:

Sergio Mendes and Herb Alpert in 1967 (Photo courtesy of PBS)

Sergio Mendes, the pioneering Brazilian musical producer, composer, keyboardist, vocalist and songwriter, has died. The news of his death on September 5, 2024, at age 83 in Los Angeles, was announced today (Sept. 6) by Herb Alpert, his longtime friend who released Mendes’ early recordings on the A&M Records label. Alpert called him “my brother from another country” and “a true friend and extremely gifted musician.”

The cause of death was long Covid, according to an obituary in the New York Times.

Mendes exploded on the scene in the 1960s with his group Brasil ’66, and played a huge role in popularizing Brazilian music around the world, and at the same time created his own genre by fusing Brazilian music with American pop. He continued to remain current and relevant while staying true to his unique sound.

One of the most internationally successful Brazilian artists of all time, Mendes was a three-time Grammy® Award winner with some 35 albums, including many gold or platinum. His hit singles include his signature song, “Mas Que Nada,” as well as his popular covers of “The Look of Love” (a #4 pop hit in 1968), “Scarborough Fair,” “Night and Day,” “Never Gonna Let You Go” and his rendition of “Fool on the Hill” (#6 in 1968). In 2012, his “Real in Rio” from the animated film Rio was nominated for an Academy Award® as Best Original Song.

Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66 (Photo courtesy of PBS)

Herb Alpert Presents Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66, the debut album for the acclaimed combo, released on Alpert and Moss’ A&M label, reached #7 on the Billboard Albums Chart, thanks to the success of “Mas Que Nada.”

Sergio Mendes and Quincy Jones (Photo courtesy of PBS)

Sergio Mendes & Friends: A Celebration features Mendes telling much of his story in his own words. He is joined onscreen by such friends and collaborators as Alpert, Lani Hall (lead singer of Brasil ’66), Quincy Jones, John Legend, Gracinha Mendes (Sergio’s lead singer since 1971 and his wife of five decades), label exec Jerry Moss, Carlos Saldhana (Oscar®-nominated filmmaker of Rio), Common and singer/songwriter/producer will.i.am.

Watch a promotional clip for Sergio Mendes & Friends: A Celebration

Related: Musicians we’ve lost in 2024

Mendes was born Feb. 11, 1941, in Niterói, a municipality in the state of Rio de Janeiro. His recordings are available in the U.S. here and in the U.K. here.