Armando Gama was born on 1st April 1954 Luanda,Portugal. Armando began his musical career early. In 1957 he already playing harmonica, in 1961 he began studying accordion and in 1968 he composed his first melody on guitar. He formed his first band ”Lovebirds”.He also would study piano and solfege in ”Academia de Musica de Luanda.”
In 1971 he formed a duet Marinho & Gama and recorded the first album with his songs ”Menino” and ”Spanish Garden”.
In 1974 he was already in Lisbon, he contacted multiple musicians of different genres and aswell with record labels.
Armando Gama formed Tantra in 1976 with singer Manuel Cardoso.2 years later he joined the duet ”Sarabanda” with Kris Köpke and signed with ”PolyGram” label. He recoreded 3 singles and LP and also perfoemed at the da Canção Festival in 1980 with the song ”Made in Portugal”.
In 1980 he also produced with names such as Dina, Mário Mata, Dino Meira, Doce, Trio Odemira or Nicolau Breyner.He also sang for the cartoon series ”Bana e Flapi” and ”Sport Billy”
In 1981 he formed band ”Cânone” with the guitarist Zé Pino,bassist ”Kaipas” and drummer ”Xiquinho”.
In 1982 he signed contract with ”Rádio Triunfo” where he recorded his LP ” “Quase Tudo” and first solo album.In 1983 he participated in the Festival de Festival da Canção 1983 and won the selection and he had the right to represent the nation at Eurovision Song Contest 1983 with the song ‘‘Esta balada que te dou”.
1986 he signed with ”Editora Discosette’‘ label and recorded 2 singles ”No teu Abraco” and ”Adoro Chopin”.
In 1987 he began recording and performing with female singer Valentina Torres. They recorded the album of the duet with the label ‘‘Maxi” single ‘‘Mona Lisa” and appeared on multiple television programs.They recorded songs like ‘‘Sonho de Natal”, ”Maria Linda” and ‘‘Menina agarra o teu rapaz”.
In 1993,Armando competes in XXX Festival RTP da Canção and its the selected with the song ”Se Eu Sonhar”.
In 1999 he began regual piano perfomances at Casino do Estoril until July 2008.On 13th May 2006 he presented the show ”Armando Gama, o 5º Beatle” and her recorded experminental DVD at Teatro Sá da Bandeira, in Santarém.
In April 2009 he started a connection with ”Palácio de Seteais” where he belonged to the Tivoli Hotels & Resorts by playing piano gigs at night.
In 2009 Armando Gama tried his 3rd luck to participate in Festival RTP da Canção 2009 with the song ‘‘Amor Mais-Que-Perfeito” to represent the nation again at Eurovision Song Contest but he was excluded by internet voting.
He passed away on 16th January 2022 when he was 67 years old and he was the victim of cancer. Valentina Torres who es the ex-wife of Armando Gama, Herman José, and other names associated with Portuguese popular music has already taken to social media to react to the news of the musician’s death.
“Dear Armando Gama moved tonight to more heavenly stages. The memory of an impeccable colleague and dear friend remains,”
ESCBEAT Team wants to send our condolences to his family, friends, and everyone who knew him personally or was a fan of his work.
