Jorge Palma passed away at the age of 76: The half-century-old voice of Portuguese music fell silent

Jorge Palma, one of the most well-known singers, composers and pianists of Portuguese music, passed away at the age of 76.

According to the statement made by his family and the artist's agency, Palma died as a result of cardiorespiratory arrest on Monday night, September 21.

In his career spanning over half a century, Palma influenced not only his own generation but also the next generation of Portuguese musicians; He became one of the important names of Portuguese popular music with his works such as Deixa-me Rir, Frágil, Bairro do Amor, Encosta-te a Mim and Dá-me Lume.

His musical journey started at a young age

Born in Lisboa in 1950, Jorge Palma began studying music at the age of six and entered the Conservatório de Música de Lisboa at the age of 10.

When he turned 14, he turned from classical music to the world of pop-rock.

The beginning of his professional career is generally dated with his first single, The Nine Billion Names of God, recorded under his own name in 1972. However, before that, Palma was in bands such as Black Boys and Sindicato.

He also performed with Sindicato at the first Vilar de Mouros festival held in 1971.

Palma, who left Portugal and settled in Denmark after his military service call, returned to his country in 1974 after the April 25 Revolution.

“Só” was one of the turning points of his career

His first album, Como uma viagem na palma da mão, was released in 1975.

Palma continued to produce in the following years, on his album Só, released in 1991. He reinterpreted some of his songs from previous periods, using only his piano.

In the 1990s, he took part in the Palma's Gang project with Xutos & Pontapés members such as Zé Pedro and Kalu; he also worked in the Rio Grande group and composed music for theatre.

In the 2000s, albums such as Norte, Voo Nocturno and Com Todo o Respeito came.

His last studio album, Vida, was released in 2023.

He was on the same stage with his sons in his last term.

Palma appeared on stage with his sons Vicente Palma and Francisco Palma in the 3 Palmas na Mão project he started in 2025.

He received many awards and state decorations throughout his career.

He was awarded the Prémio José Afonso in 2002 and the first Prémio Pedro Osório awarded by Sociedade Portuguesa de Autores in 2012.

In 2020, he was awarded the medal of cultural merit by the Municipality of Lisboa, and in the same year he was promoted to the rank of commendador of the Order of Ordem do Infante D. Henrique.

In April 2026, he was deemed worthy of the career award by PLAY – Prémios da Música Portuguesa.

Successive messages from Portugal

Following the news of his death, many condolence messages were published from the world of art and politics.

While commemorating the works left by President Jorge Palma in Portuguese music, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro stated that the artist's music will continue to live in the memories of different generations.

Jorge Palma leaves behind a career spanning more than half a century, hundreds of compositions and a legacy of Portuguese music. He left behind songs that have become entrenched in his collective memory.

Resources

RTP / Lusa — 22 September 2026

https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/cultura/morreu-o-musico-jorge-palma-aos-76-anos_n1766893

RTP — September 22, 2026

https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/cultura/um-dia-triste-muito-triste-para-a-musica-portuguesa-morreu-jorge-palma_n1766923