José Afonso

b. Aveiro 2 August 1929, d. Setúbal 23 February 1987

José Afonso was, and still remains among the most influential folk and political musicians in Portuguese history.

He is usually referred to as Zeca Afonso - Zeca being the Portuguese diminutive form of José. Take note that he didn't use this as his artist name on his own releases.

He became an icon among Portuguese left-wing activists due to his music's role in the resistance against Oliveira Salazar's dictatorial regime. This resistance finally triumphed in 1974, with the pro-democratic leftist military coup, called the Carnation Revolution. In the ensuing revolutionary process he was a very active musician and continued composing political and folk songs, often criticizing post-revolutionary changes. Years after his death, he is still widely listened to, not only in Portugal, but also abroad.