Zilo e Zalo

Zilo e Zalo were brothers from Rio de Janeiro's Morro da Mangueira neighborhood who started making music together in the early 1970s. Their real names were José Carlos Ribeiro and José Antônio Ribeiro. They put out their first album in 1973, the same year they recorded what would become their most famous song, 'O Milagre do Ladrão.'

That song tells a story about a thief who changes his ways after meeting a homeless child. It connected with people in a way that made it one of those Brazilian songs everyone seems to know, covered by other artists for years after. Their other songs include 'Nunca Mais,' 'O Filho do Ladrão,' and 'Feitiço Espanhol.'

They kept recording through the decade, with albums like 'Esse Povo Quer Paz' in 1975 and 'Mundo Novo' in 1978. Their background and the directness of their lyrics sometimes drew criticism, but the music found its audience anyway.