NEWTON MENDONÇA

Newton Ferreira de Mendonça was born on 14 February 1927, in Rio de Janeiro. He was an Aquarian just like Antonio Carlos Jobim, his best friend, born on 25 February 1927, only 20 days earlier. 

He lived in Porto Alegre-RS and was back in Rio in 1942, when he was 15 years old. He was a classic-trained pianist and joined his childhood friend Tom Jobim circa 1953. They wrote both music and lyrics for seminal songs like 'Desafinado', 'Samba de uma nota só', 'Discussão', 'Meditação' aka 'O amor, o sorriso e a flor' and others.

As his friend Jobim, Newton played piano at night clubs in Rio which was not good for his health. He had a heart attack in 1959, while working at Carrossel. A year later, on 22nd November 1960, Newton had a second and fatal heart attack.

Newton Mendonça was a shy type of entertainer. He avoided the spotlight but somehow received Radiolandia's journalist at his home in October 1960 for a chat. Exactly 4 weeks before he died.

Newton Mendonça at his piano at home. Radiolandia #337, 15 October 1960. 

Renato (4 years-old), Cirene his missus, Fernando (1 year-old) & Newton (33 years-old).

Radiolandia #343, 1st January 1961; Newton Mendonça died on 22nd November 1960. 

a simple note at 'Correio da Manhã', 24 November 1960, says Newton Mendonça died in the first hours of the day. Newton had played piano at a night club and had arrived home. He went to the kitchen to prepare a light meal and get to sleep. Suddenly he felt a sharp pain in his chest and it was Death itself which came to fetch him. 

most of Newton Mendonça's photos available publicly were taken a few weeks before his death.

Cirene holds Fernando & Newton holds Renato - 1960. 

an earlier photo of Mendonça's.