Paralamas do Sucesso
Encyclopedia
Os Paralamas do Sucesso is a Brazil
ian rock
band, formed in Rio de Janeiro
in the late 1970s. Its members since 1982 are Herbert Vianna
(guitar and lead vocals), Bi Ribeiro
(bass), and João Barone
(drums). In its beginning, the band combined reggae
and ska
with rock, but later added horn arrangements and Latin rhythms. The Paralamas are considered one of the original "Big Four" bands of Brazilian rock
, along with Barão Vermelho
, Legião Urbana
, and Titãs
.
gang", because they lived there and were friends with local bands, Paralamas' proper birthplace was Rio de Janeiro. Herbert Vianna and Felipe "Bi" Ribeiro were childhood friends and neighbors in that city. Herbert's father was in the military, while Bi's was a diplomat. In 1977, Herbert went to Rio to attend military school, and met Bi once again. They decided to form a band, Herbert with his Gibson guitar
and Bi, which had no musical training whatsoever, with a bass guitar bought during a trip to England
. The drummer Vital Dias would later join them. They parted ways in 1979, around the time all of them were busy studying for their vestibular
tests, but resumed their musical activity in 1981.
The trio rehearsed in the house of Bi's grandmother (which provided inspiration for the song "Vovó Ondina é Gente Fina", or "Grandma Ondina is Really Cool") and in a farm in Mendes
, and performed in small venues. Their setlist was not quite serious (with songs like "Pingüins, Já Não Os Vejo Pois Não Está na Estação", or "I No Longer See Penguins, Because They're Out of Season"), and they tried to create a name for the band in the same spirit, with the first option being "As Cadeirinhas da Vovó", or "Grandma's Little Chairs". The name "Paralamas do Sucesso" (meaning "Mudflaps of Success") was coined by Bi, and adopted because all three of them thought it was really funny. In the beginning, Herbert was only the guitar player, and the group had two lead singers, Ronel e Naldo, both of whom departed in 1982.
In 1982, Vital missed a gig at the Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro
and was replaced by João Barone
, which became the drummer after he decided to leave the band. Vital would later inspire the demo song "Vital e sua Moto", which the band sent to FM station Rádio Fluminense, which was the first to broadcast many bands that would eventually achieve national recognition in Brazil. The song received substantial airplay in the summer of 1983, and the Paralamas made their first major appearance opening for Lulu Santos
, another popular singer of their generation, in the Circo Voador. It was around that time which they signed a deal with EMI Brasil
, recording their first album Cinema Mudo
(later defined by Herbert as "manipulated by the record company people"), and achieving moderate success.
. It spanned the hits "Óculos", "Me Liga", "Meu Erro", "Romance Ideal", and "Ska", leading the band to perform at the first edition of Rock in Rio
, in which Paralamas' concert was considered one of the best.
After a national tour, they released Selvagem?
in 1986. The album opposed the "manipulation" of the band's first release from its cover (featuring Bi's younger brother in the middle of the woods wearing only a shirt around his waist) and incorporated a bold mixture of reggae, rock and African rhythms. Produced by Liminha (former bass player for Os Mutantes
), it spanned the hits "Alagados", "A Novidade" (their first collaboration with Gilberto Gil
, and the second track co-written with him), "Melô do Marinheiro", and "Você" (a cover version of Tim Maia
), and sold over 700,000 copies, accrediting the Paralamas to play in the Montreux Jazz Festival
in the following year.
In 1987, the band released their first live album, D
, recorded from their performance in Montreux. The album first featured a band's constant collaborator, keyboard player João Fera, which still tours with the band as a sideman nowadays. After Montreux, Paralamas also played in L'Olympia and toured through South America
, becoming popular in Argentina
, Chile
, Uruguay
, and Venezuela
.
Their fourth studio album, Bora-Bora
, was released in 1988. It introduced the usage of piano, horns and samplers by the band. The album has both social-political focused songs such as "O Beco" and more introspective tracks, such as "Quase Um Segundo" (perhaps a reflection of the end of Vianna's relationship with Paula Toller
, the lead singer of Kid Abelha
). Bora-Bora is the first of several attempts of the band in self-producing their recordings. Big Bang
, released in the following year, continued in the same vein, with cheerful songs with a deep critical social messages, like "Perplexo", and poetical/lyrical ones such as "Lanterna dos Afogados".
In 1990, the Paralamas released their first compilation, Arquivo
, which featured a new version of "Vital e Sua Moto", titled "Vital 1990", and an unreleased song, "Caleidoscópio" (originally recorded by Dulce Quental of the all-female band Sempre Livre), that got massive radio play.
, was released in 1991. It contained keyboard-driven songs of minor popular appeal, achieving a low sales record for the band, although it spanned two successful hits: "Trac-Trac", a Portuguese
version of a Fito Páez
song, and "Tendo a Lua". Its failure, however, can also be attributed to the deep economic crisis Brazil went through during the Fernando Collor administration.
After a small break, in which Vianna released his first solo album, the trio returned to live performances, which were sold out, although the band was under heavy criticism from the press. On late 1993, Herbert, Bi and Barone spent three months in London
, where they recorded Severino
, produced by Phil Manzanera
. Released in 1994, the album featured Brian May
in the song "El Vampiro Bajo El Sol". It was even more experimental than the band's last release, with over elaborated arrangements, being completely ignored by radio stations and the general public, selling only 55,000 copies, an all time low for Paralamas.
But as they were becoming oblivious in their native Brazil they were also gaining huge popularity in Argentina. In 1992, their compilation Paralamas, released in the Hispanic America
n countries, and featuring Spanish language
versions of their hits, was a huge hit in the neighboring country. They became each time more requested for live performances, due to the great success of Dos Margaritas, their following release in the Hispanic market (a Spanish version of Severino).
. It was accompanied by an EP
featuring four unreleased tracks: "Uma Brasileira" (a collaboration of Herbert with Djavan
), "Saber Amar", "Esta Tarde", and the controversial "Luís Inácio (300 Picaretas)", which drew the spotlight back to the band after it was banished from the Federal District. The song was a reference to a declaration by former Brazilian president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
, at the time a Federal Deputy, that the National Congress was formed by some honored men and 300 quacks. The return to easily understandable songs and the pop genre definitely helped the band's comeback to commercial and critical acclaim, resulting in the best-selling album of their career, with almost a million copies sold.
It was also around that period in which the band invested in overtly produced music videos, which would lead them to win the MTV Video Music Brasil Awards eleven times from 1995 to 1999. Their first two awards came in 1995 with the video for "Uma Brasileira", which received the awards for the Best Pop Video and Viewer's Choice Award.
From there on, the Paralamas spanned a string of hits such as "Lourinha Bombril", "Busca Vida", "Ela Disse Adeus", and "O Amor não Sabe Esperar" (a collaboration with Marisa Monte
and Dado Villa-Lobos
). with their next two studio albums, 1996's Nove Luas
and 1998's Hey Na Na
. Nove Luas sold 250,000 copies in a month, while Hey Na Na sold the equivalent to that in just a week.
In 1999, MTV Brasil
invited the band to record the album MTV Unplugged. Instead of making a revision of their career through the successes, they opted by a repertoire dominated by significant songs that had not received the due attention, such as "Bora Bora", "Vai Valer", and "Trem da Juventude". The Paralamas also made homages to Chico Science
and Legião Urbana. Two new songs were featured: "Sincero Breu", and "Um Amor Um Lugar", originally recorded by Fernanda Abreu
. The album sold more than 500,000 copies, won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Brazilian Rock Album, and spanned a sold-out tour.
The Unplugged tour was extended until the end of 2000, when the trio released their second compilation, Arquivo II
. It featured songs from all the band's albums (except Severino), a re-recording of "Mensagem de Amor" and the new track "Aonde Quer que Eu Vá", result of a partnership between Herbert Vianna and Paulo Sérgio Valle, which also spanned two hits by Ivete Sangalo
.
At that time, Paralamas announced a six month vacation and a reformulation in the sound of the group, after almost two decades of career. The plans pointed to a new rock album.
's house. The fall killed Herbert's wife, Lucy Needham Vianna, and left him between life and death. There was a huge commotion in Brazil, as the entire country followed Herbert’s fight for survival in the hospital Copa D’Or, in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro.
The musician later woke up from his coma, but Herbert found himself in a wheelchair, with difficulties in speaking and playing. Since then, Herbert has achieved great partial recovery, even if he has not yet fully recovered from nerve and brain damage. Despite all handicaps, his musical talent was not incapacitated and, in October 2002, he gradually started rehearsing with his band in his home studio. The result was very good and led to the recording of a new CD titled Longo Caminho
(Long Way), with songs composed before the accident.
In 2005 they released Hoje.
In 2009 they released Brasil Afora
, which was first available for digital download
and soon after released on CD.
They were able to criticize English neocolonialism while they simultaneously created new opportunities for Brazilian rock and a more genuinely national product. Movement toward the “black sound” also followed the explosion of funk, hip-hop, and rap internationally. Throughout its 20 years of existence, the band has kept a regular production of albums and hits, including a few polemic works, such as the song "Luís Inácio (300 Picaretas)" which criticized the Brazilian Congress.
The band was able to overcome adversity and make a new sound for Brazilian hip-hop and funk. They are still working today and continue to produce records.
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band, formed in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
in the late 1970s. Its members since 1982 are Herbert Vianna
Herbert Vianna
Herbert Lemos de Sousa Vianna is a Brazilian singer, songwriter and guitarist mainly known for his work with rock band Os Paralamas do Sucesso.- Biography :...
(guitar and lead vocals), Bi Ribeiro
Bi Ribeiro
Felipe de Nóbrega Ribeiro, better known as Bi Ribeiro is a bass player.Since 1977, is the bass player of the brazilian rock band Os Paralamas do Sucesso...
(bass), and João Barone
João Barone
João Alberto Barone Reis e Silva, better known as João Barone is a Brazilian drummer.Since 1982 he is the drummer of the band Os Paralamas do Sucesso.-Discography:-Guest appearances:...
(drums). In its beginning, the band combined reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
and ska
Ska
Ska |Jamaican]] ) is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues...
with rock, but later added horn arrangements and Latin rhythms. The Paralamas are considered one of the original "Big Four" bands of Brazilian rock
Brazilian rock
Brazilian rock refers to rock music produced in Brazil and usually sung in Portuguese.-Overview:Rock entered the Brazilian music scene in 1956, with the screening of the film The Blackboard Jungle, featuring Bill Haley's "Rock Around the Clock", which would later be covered in Portuguese by Nora...
, along with Barão Vermelho
Barão Vermelho
Barão Vermelho is a Brazilian rock band. Formed in 1981 in Rio de Janeiro, it was originally led by songwriting duo Cazuza and Roberto Frejat , which assumed the vocals after Cazuza's departure in 1986...
, Legião Urbana
Legião Urbana
Legião Urbana were a Brazilian rock band formed in 1982 in Brasília, Distrito Federal. The band primarily consisted of Renato Russo , Dado Villa-Lobos and Marcelo Bonfá...
, and Titãs
Titãs
Titãs are a rock band from São Paulo, Brazil. Their best-known line up is the one in the album Cabeça Dinossauro : Nando Reis , Branco Mello , Marcelo Fromer , Arnaldo Antunes , Tony Bellotto , Paulo Miklos , Charles Gavin and Sérgio Britto...
.
1977-1983: Beginnings
Although considered part of the "BrasíliaBrasília
Brasília is the capital city of Brazil. The name is commonly spelled Brasilia in English. The city and its District are located in the Central-West region of the country, along a plateau known as Planalto Central. It has a population of about 2,557,000 as of the 2008 IBGE estimate, making it the...
gang", because they lived there and were friends with local bands, Paralamas' proper birthplace was Rio de Janeiro. Herbert Vianna and Felipe "Bi" Ribeiro were childhood friends and neighbors in that city. Herbert's father was in the military, while Bi's was a diplomat. In 1977, Herbert went to Rio to attend military school, and met Bi once again. They decided to form a band, Herbert with his Gibson guitar
Gibson Guitar Corporation
The Gibson Guitar Corporation, formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan and currently of Nashville, Tennessee, manufactures guitars and other instruments which sell under a variety of brand names...
and Bi, which had no musical training whatsoever, with a bass guitar bought during a trip to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The drummer Vital Dias would later join them. They parted ways in 1979, around the time all of them were busy studying for their vestibular
Vestibular
The Vestibular is a competitive examination and is the primary and widespread system used by Brazilian universities to select their students. The Vestibular usually takes place from November to January, right before the start of school year in February or March, although certain universities hold...
tests, but resumed their musical activity in 1981.
The trio rehearsed in the house of Bi's grandmother (which provided inspiration for the song "Vovó Ondina é Gente Fina", or "Grandma Ondina is Really Cool") and in a farm in Mendes
Mendes, Rio de Janeiro
Mendes is a municipality located in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro. Its population was 17,722 and its area is 77 km²....
, and performed in small venues. Their setlist was not quite serious (with songs like "Pingüins, Já Não Os Vejo Pois Não Está na Estação", or "I No Longer See Penguins, Because They're Out of Season"), and they tried to create a name for the band in the same spirit, with the first option being "As Cadeirinhas da Vovó", or "Grandma's Little Chairs". The name "Paralamas do Sucesso" (meaning "Mudflaps of Success") was coined by Bi, and adopted because all three of them thought it was really funny. In the beginning, Herbert was only the guitar player, and the group had two lead singers, Ronel e Naldo, both of whom departed in 1982.
In 1982, Vital missed a gig at the Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro
Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro
The Federal Rural University of Rio de janeiro is a centenary Brazilian university located in the city of Seropédica in the State of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil...
and was replaced by João Barone
João Barone
João Alberto Barone Reis e Silva, better known as João Barone is a Brazilian drummer.Since 1982 he is the drummer of the band Os Paralamas do Sucesso.-Discography:-Guest appearances:...
, which became the drummer after he decided to leave the band. Vital would later inspire the demo song "Vital e sua Moto", which the band sent to FM station Rádio Fluminense, which was the first to broadcast many bands that would eventually achieve national recognition in Brazil. The song received substantial airplay in the summer of 1983, and the Paralamas made their first major appearance opening for Lulu Santos
Lulu Santos
Lulu Santos, stage name of Luiz Maurício Pragana dos Santos is a Brazilian singer and guitarist, considered one of the great names of Brazilian rock.- Career :...
, another popular singer of their generation, in the Circo Voador. It was around that time which they signed a deal with EMI Brasil
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
, recording their first album Cinema Mudo
Cinema Mudo
Cinema Mudo is the debut album by brazilian rock band Os Paralamas do Sucesso.-Track listing:#Vital e Sua Moto#Foi o Mordomo#Cinema Mudo#Patrulha Noturna#Shopstake#Vovó Ondina é Gente Fina#O Que Eu Não Disse#Química#Encruzilhada#Volúpia...
(later defined by Herbert as "manipulated by the record company people"), and achieving moderate success.
1984-1990: Breakthrough
In 1984, they released their second album, O Passo do LuiO Passo do Lui
O Passo do Lui is the second studio album released by brazilian rock band Os Paralamas do Sucesso.-Track listing:All songs written by Herbert Vianna, except where noted:#"Óculos" – 3:38#"Meu Erro" – 3:27#"Fui Eu" – 3:50...
. It spanned the hits "Óculos", "Me Liga", "Meu Erro", "Romance Ideal", and "Ska", leading the band to perform at the first edition of Rock in Rio
Rock in Rio
Rock in Rio is a series of music festivals held in three cities: Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Lisbon in Portugal and Madrid in Spain.Four incarnations of the festival were in Rio de Janeiro, in 1985, 1991, 2001 and 2011, four in Lisbon, in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010, and two in Madrid in 2008 and 2010....
, in which Paralamas' concert was considered one of the best.
After a national tour, they released Selvagem?
Selvagem?
Selvagem? is the third studio album by brazilian rock band Os Paralamas do Sucesso.It was listed by Rolling Stone Brazil as one of the 100 best Brazilian albums in history.-Track listing:...
in 1986. The album opposed the "manipulation" of the band's first release from its cover (featuring Bi's younger brother in the middle of the woods wearing only a shirt around his waist) and incorporated a bold mixture of reggae, rock and African rhythms. Produced by Liminha (former bass player for Os Mutantes
Os Mutantes
Os Mutantes ) are an influential Brazilian psychedelic rock band that were linked with the Tropicália movement of the late 1960s. It was formed by two brothers and a vocalist, but has gone through numerous personnel changes throughout its existence...
), it spanned the hits "Alagados", "A Novidade" (their first collaboration with Gilberto Gil
Gilberto Gil
Gilberto Passos Gil Moreira , better known as Gilberto Gil or , is a Brazilian singer, guitarist, and songwriter, known for both his musical innovation and political commitment...
, and the second track co-written with him), "Melô do Marinheiro", and "Você" (a cover version of Tim Maia
Tim Maia
Tim Maia , born Sebastião Rodrigues Maia in Rio de Janeiro, was a famous Brazilian musician known for his iconoclastic, ironic, outspoken, and polemical musical style...
), and sold over 700,000 copies, accrediting the Paralamas to play in the Montreux Jazz Festival
Montreux Jazz Festival
The Montreux Jazz Festival is the best-known music festival in Switzerland and one of the most prestigious in Europe; it is held annually in early July in Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva...
in the following year.
In 1987, the band released their first live album, D
D (Os Paralamas do Sucesso album)
D is the first live album released by brazilian rock band Os Paralamas do Sucesso at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.-Track listing:All songs written by Herbert Vianna, except where noted:#"Será Que Vai Chover" – 5:28...
, recorded from their performance in Montreux. The album first featured a band's constant collaborator, keyboard player João Fera, which still tours with the band as a sideman nowadays. After Montreux, Paralamas also played in L'Olympia and toured through South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
, becoming popular in Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
, Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
, and Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
.
Their fourth studio album, Bora-Bora
Bora-Bora (album)
Bora-Bora is the fourth studio album by Os Paralamas do Sucesso released in 1988. This album marked the soap stars. With its national hits O Beco, Uns Dias e Quase um Segundo...
, was released in 1988. It introduced the usage of piano, horns and samplers by the band. The album has both social-political focused songs such as "O Beco" and more introspective tracks, such as "Quase Um Segundo" (perhaps a reflection of the end of Vianna's relationship with Paula Toller
Paula Toller
Paula Toller is a Brazilian singer and songwriter. Toller is mainly known as the lead singer of Kid Abelha, one of Brazil's most popular music bands. In 1998, she released her self-titled first solo album, which was very well received...
, the lead singer of Kid Abelha
Kid Abelha
Kid Abelha is a rock band from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, formed by Paula Toller , George Israel and Bruno Fortunato . The group has recorded 13 studio albums, 3 live albums and 2 live DVDs. They have created many songs which have entered into Brazilian pop-rock history...
). Bora-Bora is the first of several attempts of the band in self-producing their recordings. Big Bang
Big Bang (Os Paralamas do Sucesso album)
Big Bang is the fifth studio album by brazilian rock band Os Paralamas do Sucesso, released in 1989.-Track listing:All songs written by Herbert Vianna, except where noted:#"Perplexo"...
, released in the following year, continued in the same vein, with cheerful songs with a deep critical social messages, like "Perplexo", and poetical/lyrical ones such as "Lanterna dos Afogados".
In 1990, the Paralamas released their first compilation, Arquivo
Arquivo (album)
Arquivo was Os Paralamas do Sucesso's first compilation album released in 1990. It contains the unrecorded song Caleidoscópio and its remastering of its greatest hit Vital de Sua Moto-Track listing:#"Caleidoscópio" – 3:31#"Óculos" – 3:39#"Cinema Mudo" Arquivo (Portuguese meaning "archives" =...
, which featured a new version of "Vital e Sua Moto", titled "Vital 1990", and an unreleased song, "Caleidoscópio" (originally recorded by Dulce Quental of the all-female band Sempre Livre), that got massive radio play.
1991-1994: Success in Argentina only
The band would dedicate the first half of the 1990s to experimentation. The sixth studio album, Os GrãosOs Grãos
Os Grãos was the sixth studio album by Os Paralamas do Sucesso released in 1991. It was considered a commercial success and sold 100,000 copies. It was a movement of Paralamas that they suffered during their tough times...
, was released in 1991. It contained keyboard-driven songs of minor popular appeal, achieving a low sales record for the band, although it spanned two successful hits: "Trac-Trac", a Portuguese
Portuguese language
Portuguese is a Romance language that arose in the medieval Kingdom of Galicia, nowadays Galicia and Northern Portugal. The southern part of the Kingdom of Galicia became independent as the County of Portugal in 1095...
version of a Fito Páez
Fito Páez
Rodolfo "Fito" Páez Ávalos is an Argentine popular rock and roll pianist, lyricist, Spanish language singer and film director.-Early career:...
song, and "Tendo a Lua". Its failure, however, can also be attributed to the deep economic crisis Brazil went through during the Fernando Collor administration.
After a small break, in which Vianna released his first solo album, the trio returned to live performances, which were sold out, although the band was under heavy criticism from the press. On late 1993, Herbert, Bi and Barone spent three months in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, where they recorded Severino
Severino (album)
Severino was the seventh studio album by Os Paralamas do Sucesso released in 1994. The album was produced by Phil Manzanera-Description:...
, produced by Phil Manzanera
Phil Manzanera
Phil Manzanera is a musician and record producer. He is the lead guitarist with Roxy Music. In 2006 Manzanera co-produced David Gilmour's album On An Island and played in Gilmour's band for tours in Europe and North America...
. Released in 1994, the album featured Brian May
Brian May
Brian Harold May, CBE is an English musician and astrophysicist most widely known as the guitarist and a songwriter of the rock band Queen...
in the song "El Vampiro Bajo El Sol". It was even more experimental than the band's last release, with over elaborated arrangements, being completely ignored by radio stations and the general public, selling only 55,000 copies, an all time low for Paralamas.
But as they were becoming oblivious in their native Brazil they were also gaining huge popularity in Argentina. In 1992, their compilation Paralamas, released in the Hispanic America
Hispanic America
Hispanic America or Spanish America is the region comprising the American countries inhabited by Spanish-speaking populations.These countries have significant commonalities with each other and with Spain, whose colonies they formerly were...
n countries, and featuring Spanish language
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
versions of their hits, was a huge hit in the neighboring country. They became each time more requested for live performances, due to the great success of Dos Margaritas, their following release in the Hispanic market (a Spanish version of Severino).
1995-2000: Back to the hit parades
Despite the low sales figures for the album, Severinos tour was a huge success among the public. A series of three performances, recorded on late 1994, was released in the next year as the band's second live album, Vamo Batê LataVamo Batê Lata
Vamo Batê Lata is the second live album released by brazilian rock band Os Paralamas do Sucesso, launched in 1995. Vamo Batê Lata had more than 900.000 copies sold in Brazil, the most sold of the band...
. It was accompanied by an EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
featuring four unreleased tracks: "Uma Brasileira" (a collaboration of Herbert with Djavan
Djavan
Djavan is a Brazilian singer/songwriter, Djavan combines traditional Brazilian rhythms with popular music drawn from the Americas, Europe and Africa. He can arguably be categorized in any of the following musical genres: Música Popular Brasileira , samba, or Latin dance...
), "Saber Amar", "Esta Tarde", and the controversial "Luís Inácio (300 Picaretas)", which drew the spotlight back to the band after it was banished from the Federal District. The song was a reference to a declaration by former Brazilian president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva , known popularly as Lula, served as the 35th President of Brazil from 2003 to 2010.A founding member of the Workers' Party , he ran for President three times unsuccessfully, first in the 1989 election. Lula achieved victory in the 2002 election, and was inaugurated as...
, at the time a Federal Deputy, that the National Congress was formed by some honored men and 300 quacks. The return to easily understandable songs and the pop genre definitely helped the band's comeback to commercial and critical acclaim, resulting in the best-selling album of their career, with almost a million copies sold.
It was also around that period in which the band invested in overtly produced music videos, which would lead them to win the MTV Video Music Brasil Awards eleven times from 1995 to 1999. Their first two awards came in 1995 with the video for "Uma Brasileira", which received the awards for the Best Pop Video and Viewer's Choice Award.
From there on, the Paralamas spanned a string of hits such as "Lourinha Bombril", "Busca Vida", "Ela Disse Adeus", and "O Amor não Sabe Esperar" (a collaboration with Marisa Monte
Marisa Monte
Marisa de Azevedo Monte is a Brazilian popular singer. As of 2011, she has sold 10 million albums worldwide.- Biography :...
and Dado Villa-Lobos
Dado Villa-Lobos
Dado Villa-Lobos is a Brazilian musician, best known as the ex-guitarist of post-punk band Legião Urbana. Along with singer Renato Russo and drummer Marcelo Bonfá, he was one of the founding members of that band, who formed in Brasilia in 1982...
). with their next two studio albums, 1996's Nove Luas
Nove Luas
Nove Luas was the eighth studio album by Os Paralamas do Sucesso released in 1996. The album released three hit singles including Lourinha Bombril, La Bella Luna and Capitão de Indústria...
and 1998's Hey Na Na
Hey Na Na
Hey Na Na is the ninth studio album by Os Paralamas do Sucesso released in 1998. The album features a hit single that was released in a disc including "Depois da Queda o Coice" and "Ela Disse Adeus".-Track listing:# "Por Sempre Andar"...
. Nove Luas sold 250,000 copies in a month, while Hey Na Na sold the equivalent to that in just a week.
In 1999, MTV Brasil
MTV Brasil
MTV Brasil is the Brazilian version of MTV, owned by Abril Mídia, the nation's largest magazine publisher, under license from Viacom - owned MTV Networks Latin AmericaMTV Brasil is one of two versions of MTV available in free-to-air terrestrial television...
invited the band to record the album MTV Unplugged. Instead of making a revision of their career through the successes, they opted by a repertoire dominated by significant songs that had not received the due attention, such as "Bora Bora", "Vai Valer", and "Trem da Juventude". The Paralamas also made homages to Chico Science
Chico Science
Francisco de Assis França , better known as Chico Science, was a Brazilian singer and composer and one of the founders of the Mangue Beat cultural movement...
and Legião Urbana. Two new songs were featured: "Sincero Breu", and "Um Amor Um Lugar", originally recorded by Fernanda Abreu
Fernanda Abreu
-Biography:Fernanda was born and raised in a middle-class family of the South Zone, a neighborhood of Rio. Her first notable public appearance was the backing vocal of the band Blitz until 1986...
. The album sold more than 500,000 copies, won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Brazilian Rock Album, and spanned a sold-out tour.
The Unplugged tour was extended until the end of 2000, when the trio released their second compilation, Arquivo II
Arquivo II
Arquivo II is the second compilation album by brazilian rock band Os Paralamas do Sucesso.-Track listing:All songs written by Herbert Vianna, except where noted:#"Trac-Trac " – 3:51...
. It featured songs from all the band's albums (except Severino), a re-recording of "Mensagem de Amor" and the new track "Aonde Quer que Eu Vá", result of a partnership between Herbert Vianna and Paulo Sérgio Valle, which also spanned two hits by Ivete Sangalo
Ivete Sangalo
Ivete Maria Dias de Sangalo is a Latin Grammy Award-winning Brazilian Axé and MPB singer, songwriter, and occasional actress and television show host...
.
At that time, Paralamas announced a six month vacation and a reformulation in the sound of the group, after almost two decades of career. The plans pointed to a new rock album.
2001-2006: An accident, not the end
On February 4, 2001, tragedy strikes: Herbert and his wife suffer an accident with an ultralight plane in the Angra dos Reis Bay, Rio de Janeiro, when they were on the way to Dado Villa-LobosDado Villa-Lobos
Dado Villa-Lobos is a Brazilian musician, best known as the ex-guitarist of post-punk band Legião Urbana. Along with singer Renato Russo and drummer Marcelo Bonfá, he was one of the founding members of that band, who formed in Brasilia in 1982...
's house. The fall killed Herbert's wife, Lucy Needham Vianna, and left him between life and death. There was a huge commotion in Brazil, as the entire country followed Herbert’s fight for survival in the hospital Copa D’Or, in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro.
The musician later woke up from his coma, but Herbert found himself in a wheelchair, with difficulties in speaking and playing. Since then, Herbert has achieved great partial recovery, even if he has not yet fully recovered from nerve and brain damage. Despite all handicaps, his musical talent was not incapacitated and, in October 2002, he gradually started rehearsing with his band in his home studio. The result was very good and led to the recording of a new CD titled Longo Caminho
Longo Caminho
Longo Caminho is the tenth studio album by Os Paralamas do Sucesso released in 2002. The album was recorded after an accident that paralyzed the lead singer Herbert Vianna, but the material is from before it....
(Long Way), with songs composed before the accident.
In 2005 they released Hoje.
In 2009 they released Brasil Afora
Brasil Afora
Brasil Afora is the twelfth album by brazilian rock band Os Paralamas do Sucesso. The first single of the disc to be released to radio was A Lhe Esperar, released on January, 2009. The second single was Meu Sonho, released on June, 2009....
, which was first available for digital download
Music download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
and soon after released on CD.
Influence on Brazilian Rock
In the years of 1987–88, Afro-Bahian rhythms began to influence some of the main bands of Brazilian rock, notably Os Paralamas do Sucesso, creating a break with the original English-oriented, white rock that influenced national groups.They were able to criticize English neocolonialism while they simultaneously created new opportunities for Brazilian rock and a more genuinely national product. Movement toward the “black sound” also followed the explosion of funk, hip-hop, and rap internationally. Throughout its 20 years of existence, the band has kept a regular production of albums and hits, including a few polemic works, such as the song "Luís Inácio (300 Picaretas)" which criticized the Brazilian Congress.
The band was able to overcome adversity and make a new sound for Brazilian hip-hop and funk. They are still working today and continue to produce records.
Studio albums
- Cinema MudoCinema MudoCinema Mudo is the debut album by brazilian rock band Os Paralamas do Sucesso.-Track listing:#Vital e Sua Moto#Foi o Mordomo#Cinema Mudo#Patrulha Noturna#Shopstake#Vovó Ondina é Gente Fina#O Que Eu Não Disse#Química#Encruzilhada#Volúpia...
(1983) - 90.000 copies sold - O Passo do LuiO Passo do LuiO Passo do Lui is the second studio album released by brazilian rock band Os Paralamas do Sucesso.-Track listing:All songs written by Herbert Vianna, except where noted:#"Óculos" – 3:38#"Meu Erro" – 3:27#"Fui Eu" – 3:50...
(1984) - 250.000 copies sold - Selvagem?Selvagem?Selvagem? is the third studio album by brazilian rock band Os Paralamas do Sucesso.It was listed by Rolling Stone Brazil as one of the 100 best Brazilian albums in history.-Track listing:...
(1986) - 600.000 copies sold - Bora-BoraBora-Bora (album)Bora-Bora is the fourth studio album by Os Paralamas do Sucesso released in 1988. This album marked the soap stars. With its national hits O Beco, Uns Dias e Quase um Segundo...
(1988) - 200.000 copies sold - Big BangBig Bang (Os Paralamas do Sucesso album)Big Bang is the fifth studio album by brazilian rock band Os Paralamas do Sucesso, released in 1989.-Track listing:All songs written by Herbert Vianna, except where noted:#"Perplexo"...
(1989) - 210.000 copies sold - Os GrãosOs GrãosOs Grãos was the sixth studio album by Os Paralamas do Sucesso released in 1991. It was considered a commercial success and sold 100,000 copies. It was a movement of Paralamas that they suffered during their tough times...
(1991) - 100.000 copies sold - SeverinoSeverino (album)Severino was the seventh studio album by Os Paralamas do Sucesso released in 1994. The album was produced by Phil Manzanera-Description:...
(1994) - 55.000 copies sold - Nove LuasNove LuasNove Luas was the eighth studio album by Os Paralamas do Sucesso released in 1996. The album released three hit singles including Lourinha Bombril, La Bella Luna and Capitão de Indústria...
(1996 - Platinum) - 550.000 copies sold - Hey Na NaHey Na NaHey Na Na is the ninth studio album by Os Paralamas do Sucesso released in 1998. The album features a hit single that was released in a disc including "Depois da Queda o Coice" and "Ela Disse Adeus".-Track listing:# "Por Sempre Andar"...
(1998 - 2x Platinum) - 250.000 copies sold - Longo CaminhoLongo CaminhoLongo Caminho is the tenth studio album by Os Paralamas do Sucesso released in 2002. The album was recorded after an accident that paralyzed the lead singer Herbert Vianna, but the material is from before it....
(2002 - Platinum) - 300.000 copies sold - Hoje (2005 - Gold) - 80.000 copies sold
- Brasil AforaBrasil AforaBrasil Afora is the twelfth album by brazilian rock band Os Paralamas do Sucesso. The first single of the disc to be released to radio was A Lhe Esperar, released on January, 2009. The second single was Meu Sonho, released on June, 2009....
(2009)
Live albums
- DD (Os Paralamas do Sucesso album)D is the first live album released by brazilian rock band Os Paralamas do Sucesso at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.-Track listing:All songs written by Herbert Vianna, except where noted:#"Será Que Vai Chover" – 5:28...
(1987) - 170.000 copies sold - Vamo Batê LataVamo Batê LataVamo Batê Lata is the second live album released by brazilian rock band Os Paralamas do Sucesso, launched in 1995. Vamo Batê Lata had more than 900.000 copies sold in Brazil, the most sold of the band...
(1995 - 3x Platinum) - 900.000 copies sold - Acústico MTV (1999 - Platinum) - 500.000 copies sold
- Titãs & Paralamas Juntos Ao VivoTitãs & Paralamas Juntos Ao VivoTitãs & Paralamas Juntos Ao Vivo is a compilation album recorded live and released together by Brazilian rock bands Titãs and Paralamas do Sucesso in 2000. It features hits from both bands, an interview with both band members and the label's jingle....
(2000) - Uns Dias Ao VivoUns Dias Ao VivoUns Dias Ao Vivo is the fifth live album by brazilian rock band Os Paralamas do Sucesso at the Olímpia, São Paulo.-Disc one:#"O Calibre" #"Running On The Spot"...
(2004 - Platinum) - Rock in Rio 1985Rock in Rio 1985Rock in Rio 1985 is the fifth live album by brazilian rock band Os Paralamas do Sucesso at the Rock in Rio in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.-Track listing:All songs written by Herbert Vianna, except where noted:#"Mensagem de Amor" – 5:04...
(2007) - Paralamas e Titãs Juntos e Ao VivoParalamas e Titãs Juntos e Ao VivoParalamas e Titãs Juntos e Ao Vivo is a live album by Brazilian rock bands Paralamas do Sucesso and Titãs in 2008. It is the second live album recorded by both bands together, and it has been released as a DVD as well. The album is part of the bands' 25 years of career celebration, and several...
(2008)
Compilations
- ArquivoArquivo (album)Arquivo was Os Paralamas do Sucesso's first compilation album released in 1990. It contains the unrecorded song Caleidoscópio and its remastering of its greatest hit Vital de Sua Moto-Track listing:#"Caleidoscópio" – 3:31#"Óculos" – 3:39#"Cinema Mudo" Arquivo (Portuguese meaning "archives" =...
(1990) - 420.000 copies sold - Arquivo IIArquivo IIArquivo II is the second compilation album by brazilian rock band Os Paralamas do Sucesso.-Track listing:All songs written by Herbert Vianna, except where noted:#"Trac-Trac " – 3:51...
(2000) - Perfil: Vol. IPerfil: Vol. IPerfil: Vol. I is the third compilation album by brazilian rock band Os Paralamas do Sucesso.-Track listing:#Óculos#Meu Erro#Romance Ideal#Fui Eu#Me Liga#Vital e Sua Moto#Cinema Mudo#Bora-Bora#Aonde Quer que Eu Vá#Lourinha Bombril...
(2006) - Perfil: Vol. IIPerfil: Vol. IIPerfil: Vol. II is the fourth compilation album by brazilian rock band Os Paralamas do Sucesso.-Track listing:#Alagados#A Novidade#Melô do Marinheiro#Você#Uns Dias#Quase Um Segundo#Sábado#Tendo a Lua#Lanterna dos Afogados...
(2006) - NovelasNovelasNovelas is the fifth compilation album by brazilian rock band Os Paralamas do Sucesso. This compilation gathers together the band's tunes written for brazilian soap opera soundtracks .-Track listing:#Aonde Quer Que Eu Vá#Lanterna Dos Afogados...
(2010)
Singles
| Year | Single | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | "Óculos" | O Passo do Lui |
| "Meu Erro" | O Passo do Lui | |
| "Ska" | O Passo do Lui | |
| 1985 | "Me Liga" | O Passo do Lui |
| 1986 | "Alagados Alagados "Alagados" is a song written by Bi Ribeiro, João Barone and Herbert Vianna, the three members from Os Paralamas do Sucesso. It is on Selvagem?, the third album from the band originally released in 1986.-Information:... " |
Selvagem? |
| "Você" | Selvagem? | |
| "Melô do Marinheiro" | Selvagem? | |
| 1988 | "Quase Um Segundo" | Bora-Bora |
| "O Beco" | Bora-Bora | |
| 1990 | "Lanterna dos Afogados" | Big Bang |
| 1991 | "Tendo a Lua" | Os Grãos |
| 1992 | "Sábado" | Os Grãos |
| 1996 | "La Bella Luna" | Nove Luas |
| "Lourinha Bombril" | Nove Luas | |
| 2002 | "O Calibre" | Longo Caminho |
| "Cuide Bem do Seu Amor" | Longo Caminho | |
| 2004 | "Uns Dias" (feat. Frejat Roberto Frejat Roberto Frejat , is a musician, composer, singer and co-founder of the band Barão Vermelho.Frejat, who was born in Rio de Janeiro, is considered one of the most important persons in the Brazilian Rock scene. He co-founded the band Barão Vermelho in 1981 playing the guitar and writing songs, then... ) |
Uns Dias Ao Vivo |
| 2009 | "A Lhe Esperar" | Brasil Afora |
| "Meu Sonho" | Brasil Afora |
Latin Grammy Awards
- 2000Latin Grammy Awards of 2000The "1st Annual Latin Grammy Awards" were held in Los Angeles at the Staples Center on Friday, September 13, 2000. The big winners were Luis Miguel, Santana and Maná with 3 awards; Juan Luis Guerra, Shakira, Fito Páez and Emilio Estefan Jr. received 2 awards each.Winners were chosen by voting...
: Best Brazilian Rock Album - Acústico MTVAcústico MTV (Os Paralamas do Sucesso album)Acústico MTV is the third live album released by brazilian rock band Os Paralamas do Sucesso at the Parque Lage, in Brazil.-Track listing:All songs written by Herbert Vianna, except where noted:... - 2001Latin Grammy Awards of 2001The winners of the Second Annual Latin Grammy Awards were announced during a press conference on October 30, 2001 at the Conga Room in Los Angeles, California. The conference, which was broadcast live on the internet, was hosted by Jimmy Smits and Paul Rodriguez. Alejandro Sanz was the big winner...
: Best Music Video - "Aonde Quer Que Eu Va" (Nomination) - 2001Latin Grammy Awards of 2001The winners of the Second Annual Latin Grammy Awards were announced during a press conference on October 30, 2001 at the Conga Room in Los Angeles, California. The conference, which was broadcast live on the internet, was hosted by Jimmy Smits and Paul Rodriguez. Alejandro Sanz was the big winner...
: Best Brazilian Song "A Lua Q Eu T Dei" (Nomination) - 2003Latin Grammy Awards of 2003The 4th Annual Latin Grammys were held in Miami at the American Airlines Arena on Wednesday, September 3, 2003. It was the first time the telecast was held outside of Los Angeles. Juanes was the night's biggest winner winning a record five awards including Album of the Year. He tied his own record...
: Best Brazilian Rock Album - Longo CaminhoLongo CaminhoLongo Caminho is the tenth studio album by Os Paralamas do Sucesso released in 2002. The album was recorded after an accident that paralyzed the lead singer Herbert Vianna, but the material is from before it.... - 2003Latin Grammy Awards of 2003The 4th Annual Latin Grammys were held in Miami at the American Airlines Arena on Wednesday, September 3, 2003. It was the first time the telecast was held outside of Los Angeles. Juanes was the night's biggest winner winning a record five awards including Album of the Year. He tied his own record...
: Best Brazilian Song "Cuide Bem Do Seu Amor" (Nomination) - 2006Latin Grammy Awards of 2006The 7th Annual Latin Grammy Awards were held for the first time in New York City, NY. The awards show was held at Madison Square Garden on Thursday, November 2, 2006. Shakira was the big winner winning Album of the Year, one of four awards that she won...
: Best Brazilian Rock Album - HojeHojeHoje is the eleventh studio album by brazilian rock band Os Paralamas do Sucesso. The songs were composed after Herbert Vianna's accident, unlike Longo Caminho... - 2007Latin Grammy Awards of 2007The 8th Annual Latin Grammy Awards took place on November 8, 2007 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.The show aired on Univision. Juan Luis Guerra was the nights big winner winning 5 awards including Album of the Year...
: Legend of Latin Music - 2011Latin Grammy Awards of 2011The 12th Annual Latin Grammy Awards was held on November 10, 2011 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas and was hosted by Lucero and Cristián de la Fuente. The eligibility period for recordings to be nominated is July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011...
: Best Brazilian Contemporary Pop Album - Multishow Ao Vivo Paralamas Brasil Afora (Pending)
Prêmio Multishow de Música Brasileira
- 1996: Best band
- 1999: Best instrumentalist (João BaroneJoão BaroneJoão Alberto Barone Reis e Silva, better known as João Barone is a Brazilian drummer.Since 1982 he is the drummer of the band Os Paralamas do Sucesso.-Discography:-Guest appearances:...
) - 2003: Best band
- 2003: Best instrumentalist (João BaroneJoão BaroneJoão Alberto Barone Reis e Silva, better known as João Barone is a Brazilian drummer.Since 1982 he is the drummer of the band Os Paralamas do Sucesso.-Discography:-Guest appearances:...
) - 2004: Tribute (Herbert ViannaHerbert ViannaHerbert Lemos de Sousa Vianna is a Brazilian singer, songwriter and guitarist mainly known for his work with rock band Os Paralamas do Sucesso.- Biography :...
) - 2006: Best video (top 5) - "Na Pista"
MTV Video Music Brasil
- 1995: Best Pop Video - "Uma Brasileira"
- 1995: Viewer's Choice - "Uma Brasileira"
- 1996: Video of the Year - "Lourinha Bombril"
- 1996: Best Video Director - "Lourinha Bombril"
- 1996: Best Edited Video - "Lourinha Bombril"
- 1997: Video of the Year - "Busca Vida"
- 1998: Video of the Year - "Ela Disse Adeus"
- 1998: Best Video Director - "Ela Disse Adeus"
- 1998: Best Art Direction - "Ela Disse Adeus"
- 1998: Best Photography - "Ela Disse Adeus"
- 1998: Best Pop Video - "Ela Disse Adeus"
- 1999: Best Edited Video - "Depois da Queda o Coice"
- 2008: Dream Band - Bi RibeiroBi RibeiroFelipe de Nóbrega Ribeiro, better known as Bi Ribeiro is a bass player.Since 1977, is the bass player of the brazilian rock band Os Paralamas do Sucesso...
(bass) and João BaroneJoão BaroneJoão Alberto Barone Reis e Silva, better known as João Barone is a Brazilian drummer.Since 1982 he is the drummer of the band Os Paralamas do Sucesso.-Discography:-Guest appearances:...
(drums) - 2009: Best Live Performance
Line-up
Since 1983 the line-up of the band consists of:- Herbert ViannaHerbert ViannaHerbert Lemos de Sousa Vianna is a Brazilian singer, songwriter and guitarist mainly known for his work with rock band Os Paralamas do Sucesso.- Biography :...
- guitar and vocals - Bi RibeiroBi RibeiroFelipe de Nóbrega Ribeiro, better known as Bi Ribeiro is a bass player.Since 1977, is the bass player of the brazilian rock band Os Paralamas do Sucesso...
- bass guitar - João BaroneJoão BaroneJoão Alberto Barone Reis e Silva, better known as João Barone is a Brazilian drummer.Since 1982 he is the drummer of the band Os Paralamas do Sucesso.-Discography:-Guest appearances:...
- drums