Nick Savoia

Nick Savoia was one of the many young acts who recorded for Young Records in 1959 and 1960. His real name was Arthur Monteiro Sabóia and he hailed from a well-to-do São Paulo family. As he had a romantic and independent mind he shunned the family business and joined Varig Brazilian Airlines to work as an air-steward so that he could travel the world. He was a young man of 19, living in the USA when the rock'n'roll craze was high in 1956. He was fond of music and had a secret longing to become a real singer. He knew a lot of rock tunes by heart and could sing at parties in the USA when the chance arose. Nick was spotted by Brazilian Columbia Records A&P man Roberto Corte-Real who was in New York to sign Teddy Randazzo for TV Record in Sao Paulo and heard him sing at Randazzo's party. Corte-Real asked Nick to look for him whenever he was in Brazil. In 1959, Nick decided to stay in Brazil for some time and looked Corte-Real up to renew their acquaintance but was summarily dismissed by him. But while waiting at his office, Nick happened to make friends with Alfredo Soares who took him to see DJ Miguel Vaccaro Netto who was starting Young Records, a brand-new rock label. As Nick was familiar with the English language he was signed by Vaccaro on the spot. He followed directions and recorded 'Since you've been gone' a Neil Sedaka cover backed with Bobby Darin's 'Mack the Knife'. Soon Nick Savoia would be the most popular male act at Young alonside Hamilton Di Giorgio. After Young's demise Nick signed with RGE and put out a few more singles. He usually was invited as a guest to sing at musical shows on TV until he retired from the music scene.