Brazilian Portuguese the last decades of the 20th century, due to the popularity of Brazilian music and Brazilian soap operas. Since Brazil joined Mercosul, the South American free trade zone, Portuguese has been increasingly studied as a foreign language in Spanish-speaking partner countries. Many words of Brazilian origin (also used in other Portuguese-speaking countries) have also entered into English: samba, bossa nova, cruzeiro, milreis and capoeira. While originally Angolan, the word "samba" only became famous worldwide because of its popularity in Brazil. After independence in 1822, Brazilian idioms with African and Amerindian influences were brought to Portugal by returning Portuguese Brazilians ("luso-brasileiros"
Loosely Tight Cocks), and drummer, Rick Gomez. Delong and Gomez provided the rhythm section. Livingston continued to write songs and play guitar. On December 20, 2011, the band leader and lead singer, Dino (Dennis Wayne) Livingston, died of complications from diabetes. In 2012, Phoenix New Times chose Loosely Tight's song "Bombs Away" as one of the songs from 1981 which defined Arizona. Loosely Tight Loosely Tight is an American hard rock band originally based out of Phoenix, Arizona. The band came to prominence after taking top honors at the 1979 California World Music Festival held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. More