Célia Campello Gomes Chacon, known by her stage name Celly Campello (18 June 1942 – 4 March 2003), was a Brazilian singer and performer who was given the title “the Queen of Brazilian Rock.” She also acted in the telenovela Estúpido Cupido.
She was born Célia Benelli Campello in São Paulo and when she was five days old, she went with her family to Taubaté, where she was raised. She started her career in an early age, performing at local radio shows when she was six years old. She studied piano, classical guitar and ballet during her childhood. Campello presented her own radio show when she was 12, at Rádio Cacique. In 1958 she recorded her first vinyl in São Paulo together with her brother Tony Campello who accompanied her in most of her career.
Her debut in television was at TV Tupi's Campeões do Disco, in 1958. Her career exploded in 1959 with the Brazilian version of Stupid Cupid. The song was released on Chacrinha's program and became a hit. That same year, she participated in Mazzaropi's feature film, Jeca Tatu. Even though Celly Campello sang rock'n'roll her kind of rock was not rebelious at all. It was actually as 'square' as it could be. One can check it out just by having a look at the titles of her albums: 'Broto certinho' (Goody-two-shoes chick), 'Brotinho encantador' (Charming youngster), 'Bonequinha que canta' (The Little Doll who sings) and 'A graça de Celly Campello...' (The loveliness of Celly Campello).
But what really mattered was Celly's voice which was heavenly. She had a perfect-pitched voice, clear as crystal. Even Antonio Carlos Jobim who was artistic director at EMI's Odeon in 1958, said Celly had an amazingly melodic voice. Celly had rhythm too! She was the best selling artist at Odeon in 1959 and 1960. All Celly touched turned gold instantly.
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| Celly & Neil Sedaka |
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Celly Campello was a shining star that brightened Brazilian skies from March 1959 to April 1962, when she got married and almost like a younger Garbo retired at the ripe age of 20. Three years in which Celly would do no wrong. She could be compared to the likes of Mary Pickford in USA during the 1920s for Celly too was called 'Brazil's sweetheart'. She retired from show business at the age of 20 to get married and live in Campinas with José Eduardo Gomes Chacon, her boyfriend since adolescence, with whom she remained with until her death. They had two chiildren, Cristiane and Eduardo, and two grandchildren.
It wasn’t until 1968, that Celly released an LP in honor of her 10th birthday on the Odeon label. Then she had another respite until 1975 when she had a brief comeback, presenting at the Hollywood Rock festival in Rio de Janeiro with her brother Tony. The following year she had a cameo appearance at TV Globo telenovela Estúpido Cupido, featuring her music in the soundtrack.
Encouraged by the success of the soap opera, she would try to resume her career, even recording an album and doing some shows. After the end of the soap opera, she recorded for RCA, in the following three years with versions of international hits from the late 70s, such as Saudade (It's a Heartache) and Só entre Dois Amores (Torn Between Two Lovers).
A victim of breast cancer, Celly died on March 4, 2003, at the Samaritano Hospital, and was buried the next day at the Flamboyant Park Cemetery, both located in Campinas. She had been battling against the disease since 1996.
(Edited from Wikipedia & Carlos Maximus @ Brazilian Rock blog)