Biography

The group Herva Doce achieved nationwide success with the mega-hit "Erva Venenosa." The group's most important performance was on June 18, 1983, when they opened for Kiss at the Maracanã (Rio de Janeiro), playing for 140,000 people. At the Maracanazinho, Herva Doce also opened for Van Halen (the original lineup). "Faz Parte do Meu Show" (Renato Ladeira/Cazuza) launched by the group, became a smash in Cazuza's rendition, and was considered the best song of the year by some critics. Herva Doce was formed in the Carnaval of 1982 when Marcelo Sussekind and Renato Ladeira recorded a demo tape containing "Volta Meu Bem," "Ganhei Um Avião," "O Negócio é Relaxar," and "Não Faz Sentido." With "Volta Meu Bem" receiving good airplay on Rádio Cidade, the two of them asked for an interview with EMI Odeon, having been hired on the condition that they form a band. The first drummer was Sérgio Della Mônica (from Ney Matogrosso's support band), who recorded Herva Doce's first single containing "Volta Meu Bem" and "Ganhei Um Avião." With Della Mônica's departure due to his obligations with Matogrosso, the band was reformulated with Paul De Castro (initially bass, then guitar), Roberto Lly (bass), and Pena (drums). Their first LP was released in November 1982. The group underwent a change in its formation when it left EMI Odeon for RCA, becoming a quartet (Renato Ladeira, keyboards/vocals; Fred Maciel, drums/vocals; Roberto Lly, bass/vocals; and Marcelo Sussekind, guitar/vocals). Their third LP had another nationwide hit with "Amante Profissional" (Roberto Lly), a song that had three music videos produced by different TV stations/producers (TV Cultura São Paulo, TV Globo, Billy Bond). ~ Alvaro Neder, Rovi