Paralamas do sucesso - Brazilian Band

Three young men who had in common the love for rock and reggae / ska, Herbert Vianna, Bi Ribeiro e João Barone, formed the group “Os Paralamas do Sucesso” in the beginning of the 80’s, inspired by sounds of groups like The Police, The Beat and The Specials.






The first LP of the band is “Cinema mudo”, recorded in 1983. This LP has hits like the songs “Vital e sua Moto” and “Patrulha Noturna”. In 1984, the band recorded their second LP called “O paso do lui”, the best hits of this LP were “Óculos” “Ska” and “Meu Erro”. After a break, Paralamas released another LP “Selvagem?” in 1986. This album had social and political criticism and good mood.

The concert of Montreux in 1987 was recorded and became an LP and Video “D”. In 1988 Paralamas had others hits like the songs “O beco”, “Uns dias” and “Quase um segundo” which were recorded in a new LP “Bora Bora”. The following LP “Big Bang” was recorded 1989.

To turn the decade, the trio released the compilation “Arquivo” with their hits of the 80’s. In 1991 they recorded the LP “Os grãos”. It was not successful. In 1994 Paralamas recorded “Severino” in London. After that, the band had two others hits: “nove luas” recorded in 1996 and “Hey Na Na” recorded in 1998.
In 1999 the band fulfilled a dream: the album “MTV Unplugged”. In the end of 2000 the trio recorded the compilation “Arquivo 2”.

On February 4th in 2001, an airplane piloted by Herbert had an accident in Angra do Reis. His wife, Lucy, who was onboard, died. Hebert was rescued and sent to hospital. After 44 days in hospital amid a very large national commotion, Herbert was discharged. The accident brought to Herbert many consequences. He lost his memory for a long time and his legs became paralyzed. Now, he is on a wheelchair and still hasn’t recovered all his memory.

However, nothing got in their way for the music and in 2002 the band had another CD called “Longos Caminhos”, whose repertoire was composed before the Herbert’s accident. Over the last years, Paralamas has recorded two more CD´s: “Uns Dias” in 2004 and “Hoje” in 2005.
Nowadays the band continues touring around the Brazilian territory. Despite the accident, Hebert Viana is the leader of the band, singing and playing the electric guitar. The band is famous in Latin America. They already have one concert scheduled in Venezuela, on May 31st. In São Paulo, their next concert will be at Credicard Hall, on June 27th.

Making music is the best medicine for Herbert Viana and “Os Paralamas do Sucesso”!

Project from
Steps 6 – Saturdays
Teacher Maya

Centro Britânico
Pompéia Branch