10+ Brazilian rock bands from the 80s that are still successful

The Brazilian rock from the 1980s until today moves crowds in concerts and presentations by bands, in the sale of records or musical tracks on electronic platforms.

O awesome.club separated the 10 main bands that are still part of the Brazilian music scene, whether they are still active or represented in solo projects by their vocalists who have as their flagship music of their groups.

A band from São Paulo in activity since 1982, it is considered one of the most important in Latin America. In its original formation it was composed by Arnaldo Antunes, Marcelo Fromer, Nando Reis, Charles Gavin, Paulo Miklos, Branco Mello, Sérgio Britto, Tony Bellotto, Ciro Pessoa and André Jung. Only three of them are still part of the group: Tony, Sérgio and Branco. They continue to take to the stage hits such as “Cabeça Dinosauro”, “Aa Uu”, “Marvin” among many others.

What few people know is that the initial name of the band was Titãs do Iê-iê, in allusion to the rock of the 1960s.

Capital Inicial was born in Brasília in 1982, succeeding Aborto Elétrico. The band consists of vocalist Dinho Ouro Preto, guitarist Yves Passarell, bassist Flávio Lemos and his brother, drummer Fê Lemos. After a series of disagreements between its members and several comings and goings, the group resumed its successful career in 1998 after the release of the album “Atrás dos Olhos”. This revival was consolidated with the 2000 “Acústico MTV Capital Inicial”, produced by MTV Brasil. Until today the band is always one of the main attractions of music festivals.

Fun fact: after the recording of the album “Atrás dos Olhos”, the participants of Capital Inicial went out to celebrate at a nightclub in the city of Nashville, in the United States. Drummer Fê Lemos drank too much and ended up being kicked out of the establishment by a security guard.

Legião Urbana was formed in Brasília, in 1982, with Renato Russo and Marcelo Bonfá, also counting on Paulo Paulista and Eduardo Paraná in its original formation. These last two only played the first show and left the group, making room for Dado Villa-Lobos and Renato Rocha. It was active until 1996, ending its activities with the death of Renato Russo, vocalist and main composer of the band, which occurred on October 11 of that year. In recent years, Villa-Lobos and Bonfá made some presentations with hits from Legião, inviting some artists to sing, such as actor Wagner Moura and actor and musician André Frateschi. In total, the band sold over 25 million records.

Did you know that after a show by Legião, in Brasília, there were riots and countless injuries, generating protests and graffiti in the city asking the band not to play there again?

In 1981, Nasi and his friend Edgard Scandurra were invited to play a show at PUC in São Paulo and that would be the beginning of Ira!. The lineup also had drummer Fabio Scattone and bassist Adilson. Although many believe that the name “Wrath!” was inspired by the Irish Republican Army, the band has always associated the name with the feeling of anger, denying the mention of the group that was notable for terrorist actions. As a way of finding a solution, they added the exclamation point to the band name.

In 2007, Nasi got into a fight with her brother, who was also the band’s manager. The group only rejoined a few years later, including the Ira! Folk, with Nasi and Scandurra performing the hits from Ira! in the acoustic version.

Charles Gavin, former member of Titãs, participated in the band in its classic formation.

Paralamas do Sucesso were formed in Seropédica, in the state of Rio, in 1982, by friends who had previously met in Brasília: vocalist Herbert Vianna, bassist Bi Ribeiro and drummer Vital Dias, who in the following year gave way to João Baron. In the beginning the band mixed rock with reggae, later they started to add wind instruments and Latin rhythms. In 2001, the Paralamas went through their worst moment: the accident suffered by Herbert, in Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro, when the ultralight he was in hit a rock. The singer was left paraplegic and with cognitive problems, in addition to having lost his partner Lucy in the accident. The band returned to rehearsals in 2002 and soon after resumed performances.

Curiosity: because of the close relationship between Bi Ribeiro and Renato Russo, his English teacher, the Paralamas do Sucesso are considered the godfathers of Legião Urbana.

The Engenheiros do Hawaii inaugurated the gaucho rock segment on the national scene. Originally formed by vocalist and bassist Humberto Gessinger, guitarist Carlos Stein, bassist Marcelo Pitz and drummer Carlos Maltz, the band achieved great popularity with their lyrical songs and strong criticism of social behavior. Since 2008, its members took a break from their work, but Gessinger continues to interpret the Engenheiros’ songs, in addition to his new compositions, in a solo career or in the Poca Vogal project that he develops together with musician Duca Leindecker, lead singer of the band Cidadão Quem.

Did you know that Gessinger learned to play almost all of his instruments by himself?

Originally called Kid Abelha e os Abóboras Selvagens, Kid Abelha has been accumulating hits since the 1980s. In 2016 the band announced its end, after more than 30 years of career. It was composed by Paula Toller, George Israel and Bruno Fortunato and sold over 9 million copies of records in Brazil alone.

Did you know that vocalist Paula Toller was married to singer-songwriter Herbert Vianna and also to singer Leoni, her former colleague from the band’s original lineup?

In activity since 1983, RPM reached its popularity between 1984 and 1987, having beaten all the sales records of the Brazilian phonographic industry in the second half of the 80’s. the band returned to perform shows across the country.

However, after a few performances in 2017, a legal dispute over the use of the band’s name began. The imbroglio is still in progress in court. Even so, RPM continues in activity with a new formation, without Paulo Ricardo.

Few people know, but RPM was considered the most revolutionary band, in terms of music production, in the second half of the 80’s.

Barão Vermelho was founded in Rio de Janeiro in 1981, after a performance by Queen in the city, which inspired the band members. Its name was inspired by the main terror of the allies in the first world war, Baron Manfred von Richtoffen, a German air force aviator who used a red aircraft in combat. In its original formation, it had Cazuza as the main composer and vocalist, until 1985, when the vocals were taken over by Roberto Frejat.

The Baron reduced his success over time, having taken a few breaks. In 2017 he returned to activities, but without the presence of Frejat, who is dedicated to his own projects and was replaced by Suricato. Anyway, the Red Baron still has a strong influence among rock lovers.

Hardly anyone remembers, but Time magazine! already classified Barão Vermelho as the best band in Latin America.

Blitz was formed in Rio de Janeiro in 1982, with vocalist and guitarist Evandro Mesquita, backing vocals Fernanda Abreu and Marcia Bulcão, guitarist Ricardo Barreto, bassist Antônio Pedro Fortuna, keyboardist Billy Forghieri and drummer Lobão, who later he embarked on a solo career. Success began to emerge with performances at the legendary Circo Voador, in Arpoador. His first big hit was “You didn’t know how to love me”.

The band returned to perform at shows last year, after another of the numerous breaks in their career.

Few people know, but the musical and theatrical guidelines of the actor and vocalist Evandro Mesquita were acquired in the amateur theater group “Asdrúbal brought the trombone”.

And you, are you a fan or like any of these bands? Did you think something else should be on this list? Answer in the comments below.