The composer of over 500 published songs, Luís Vieira had great success with Menino de Braçanã (with Arnaldo Passos), Paz do Meu Amor, Na Asa do Vento, Maria Filó, Estrela Miúda (all with João do Vale), Inteirinha, Os Olhinhos do Menino, Guarânia da Saudade, Pagando o Pato, Prelúdio Pra Ninar Gente Grande (aka Menino Passarinho), Guarânia da Lua Nova, and Forró do Chico Moço. Recording many of them in his 55-year career, he also had them interpreted by artists such as Lúcio Alves, Carmélia Alves, Moacyr Franco, Agnaldo Rayol, Hebe Camargo, Caetano Veloso, Zizi Possi, Fagner, Sérgio Reis, Rita Lee, Agnaldo Timóteo, Maria Betânia, and Elba Ramalho, among others. Influenced by his mother, who was a lead singer in his hometown churches, Vieira wrote his first song at age eight. After he left Caruru for Rio de Janeiro, he had several small jobs. At 15 he was trying to make his way to the major Northeastern-directed show in Carioca radio, the Programa Zé do Norte, through novice radio shows. His chance came when a singers' strike menaced the show and he became an effective cast member. During the '40s and '50s, he worked in the shows Manhãs na Roça (1946), with Zé do Norte at Rádio Clube do Brasil, Salve o Baião at Rádio Tamoio (where he worked with Luís Gonzaga, Carmélia Alves, and Claudete Soares), and #Espetáculos Tonelux at TV Tupi (the first TV musical, 1951). In 1953, he was hired by Rádio Nacional and wrote one of his biggest hits, Menino de Braçanã (with Arnaldo Passos). In the late '50s, he carried his own show at the TV Record (São Paulo). His first LP was recorded in 1958 and Vieira's career continued to develop through shows, radio, and TV works. He has been hosting a very popular show for 18 years, first at Rádio Nacional and then at Rádio Rio de Janeiro. ~ Alvaro Neder, Rovi