José Afonso was, and still remain among the most influential folk and political musicians in Portuguese history.
He is usually referred to as Zeca Afonso - Zeca being the Portuguese diminutive form of José. Take note that he didn't use this as artist name on his own releases.
He became an icon among Portuguese left-wing activists due to the role of his music in the resistance against the dictatorial regime of Oliveira Salazar that triumphed in 1974, with the pro-democratic leftist military coup of the Carnation Revolution. In the ensuing revolutionary process he was a very active musician and continued composing political and folk songs, often criticizing the post-revolutionary changes. Years after his death, he is still widely listened to, not only in Portugal, but also abroad.
