Leandro e Leonardo

The brothers were raised in a poor family in Brazil, and worked on their parents' farm as well as in odd jobs. Emival convinced his brother to move to the city, and the two learned to play songs by Chitãozinho & Xororó, Roberto Carlos and The Beatles, playing locally in a group called Os Dominantes. After moving to Brasília, where they lived with their uncle Zé (who also arranged gigs for them), they began performing as Leandro & Leonardo, the name of twins recently born in the city.

After a few years of local and regional performances, they were offered spots on local television stations, and their first album came out in 1983. However, it wasn't until 1989 that they began to hit big on the Brazilian charts, with their Vol. 3 release. The group became superstars in the early 1990s, selling several million copies of their albums and obtaining a weekly show on Brazilian television. Leandro and Leonardo account for 35 million records sold. The highlight is the album Leandro & Leonardo Vol. 4, which sold an impressive 3.3 million records and is today considered the best-selling country music album of the Brazilian scenario

In April 1998, Leandro was diagnosed with lung cancer and died two months later, on June 23. Leonardo continues to record as a solo artist.

Leonardo's son is a well-known young sertanejo universitario singer under the name Zé Felipe.

• Leonardo's Official website
• Leandro y Leonardo at Allmusic.com