Tim Maia, who died aged 55 in 1998, was an unapologetically irascible
entertainer who was at the forefront of Brazilian soul in the música popular
brasileira (MPB) style, embracing many influences such as bossa nova, disco,
funk, jazz, rock and soul. Growing up in a large family in Rio de Janeiro, he
wrote songs as a child and learned to play the drums and guitar. After a stint
with The Sputniks, he spent four years in America from 1959 and joined a vocal
group called The Ideals. That ended when he was arrested on drugs charges and
deported in 1963. He returned to his homeland an...