Dino Meira

Armandino Marques Meira (11 September 1940 – 11 November 1993), known as Dino Meira, was a Portuguese popular singer.

Dino Meira was born in Espinho. He left with his family towards Brazil where he lived with his uncle. In 1968 he recorded a version of “Kubatokuê Mulata”, a song that Duo Ouro Negro presented at the II Festival Internacional da Canção Popular in Rio de Janeiro. In Brazil he recorded other songs such as “Amor O.K.”, “Arrebita” (adaptation by Roberto Leal), “Perseguição” or “Desfolhada Portuguesa”.

Dino Meira’s music found greater demand in the North American market, among emigrants living in that country. He even presented a television program broadcast to the Portuguese-speaking community.

He appears in the film “Crime In Newark” and releases several albums through Henda Records, a record label founded by Henrique Galvão and Daniel Stevens.

The album “Obrigado América do Norte” is released in honor of those who helped the Azorean people. Signs with the Portuguese offices of the publisher Polygram. Dino Meira began to be successful in the national music market with hits such as “Negro Destino” and “Zum Zum Zum”, released by the label in 1981.

He repeated his success with the single “Adeus Paris À Lisboa”. Record version of “Macumba” by Jean Pierre Mader: “Mentira, Mentira”. In 1990 he had great success with “O Homem Vestido de Branco”. In 1991 he released the album “Amanhecer Junto a Ti” in which the songs “Adoro O Norte” and “Mariana” stood out.

In 1992 he released the album “Uma Vez Na Vida” which includes the songs “Uma Vez Na Vida, Uma Vez Na Vida”, “Juli Juli Julia”, “Viver Viver Amar Amar”, “Pensa Em Mim”, “Não Quero Mais Pensar em Ti”, “Meu Querido Mês de Agosto”, “Volta Que Eu Te Espero”, and “Oh Michelle”.

Still in 1992, the compilation album “Golden Themes of Portuguese Music: Vol. 1” was released with songs such as “Zum Zum Zum”, “Negro Destino”, “Adeus Paris À Lisboa” or “Viva Emigrante Viva”. A second collection was also released with songs such as “O Homem Vestido de Branco”, “Ela É Sincera”, Adoro o Norte”, “Helena” and “Mentira, Mentira”.

He switched to the Sony Music record label where he released the album “Voltei” at the beginning of the summer of 1993. The success of the record was confirmed and the artist received a gold record (sales of 40 thousand units).

Dino Meira died on November 11, 1993, victim of a myocardial infarction. The singer was preparing to leave for Brazil.

Curiosities
In 1979 he participated in “Antologia da Seresta” by Jair Rodrigues.

Tony Carreira dedicated one of his first albums to his friend Dino Meira. Interestingly, it is the album that marked the beginning of his highly successful career.

The character Nelo (Herman José) made a joke when he recited Dino Meira in one of the videos on the Herman Sic program.

José Reza recorded a version of “Meu Querido Mês de Agosto” in 2000, of which he is one of the authors.

In 2007, Eduardo Sant’ana adapted “Poron Poron foi meu amor”.

Miguel Gomes had a great success with the film “Aquele Querido Mês de Agosto” where he portrays the lives of some popular singers.

Fernando Correia Marques’ anthology includes some of the themes he wrote with Dino Meira.

Tema Saudade – Musical Group Diapasão created this theme in honor of Dino Meira