Wilson Simonal de Castro, born on February 23, 1938, in Rio de Janeiro, was a Brazilian singer-songwriter known for his success in the 1960s and early 1970s. After serving in the military, he formed the music group Dry Boys with his brother and friends, eventually becoming the crooner for the Conjunto Guaraní. His solo career took off with his first single "Teresa" in 1961, followed by a series of successful albums, starting with Tem Algo Mais (1963), which included his first hit "Balanço Zona Sul." In 1964, Simonal performed extensively, including a notable 40-day tour in Colombia. His success on television began in 1965 with the show Spotlight on TV Tupi. That year, he also released the albums Wilson Simonal and S'imbora, featuring sophisticated jazz and bossa nova arrangements by Eumir Deodato and JT Meirelles. In 1966, Wilson Simonal moved to TV Record, where he became a regular on various popular music shows. Wilson Simonal's career continued to flourish with numerous albums, including Alegria, Alegria Volumes 1-4 (1967-1969) and Simonal (1970). He also hosted popular TV shows such as Show em Si... Monal and Vamos S'imbora. His association with major brands like Shell further solidified his status as a prominent figure in Brazilian music. Despite his growing struggles with alcohol abuse, Wilson Simonal continued to record and perform over the following decades, releasing LPs such as Alegria Tropical (1982), Simonal (1983), Os Sambas da Minha Terra (1991), Brasil (1995), and Bem Brasil - Estilo Simonal (1998). He passed away on June 25, 2000, due to complications from cirrhosis. In 2002, his legacy was celebrated with the release of the soundtrack for the documentary Simonal – Ninguém Sabe o Duro Que Dei, which detailed his life and career.
