Born in February 26, 1939 in Rio de Janeiro, Simonal discovered his artist vocation while he was doing obligatory military service. Like others big Brazilian artists, he started his career playing at bars and night clubs in Rio, singing rock, mostly in English. He composed and produced for Carlos Imperial, who found him, and took him to his TV show, helping to record his first album, in 1963, very Bossa Nova influenced.

Right after that Simonal became one of the main artists of that time, with the hits "Meu Limão, Meu Limoeiro", "Mamãe Passou Açúcar em Mim" e "Sá Marina". At some point, Simonal was accused of collaborating with the Brazilian military regime (1964-85), which, some claim, took him away from the public during the 80s and 90s. And he came back with the album "A Bossa de Wilson Simonal". He died on July, 2000.