Herva Doce

Herva Doce secured nationwide attention through the blockbuster track “Erva Venenosa.” Their most significant live appearance took place on June 18, 1983, when they supported Kiss before 140,000 spectators at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã; they also opened for the original Van Halen lineup at Maracanazinho. The group introduced “Faz Parte do Meu Show,” written by Renato Ladeira and Cazuza, which later became a major hit in Cazuza’s own recording and was named song of the year by several critics.

The band originated during Carnaval 1982 after Marcelo Sussekind and Renato Ladeira cut a demo containing “Volta Meu Bem,” “Ganhei Um Avião,” “O Negócio é Relaxar,” and “Não Faz Sentido.” Airplay for “Volta Meu Bem” on Rádio Cidade led the pair to approach EMI Odeon, which offered a deal provided they assemble a full group. Sérgio Della Mônica, then a member of Ney Matogrosso’s support band, played drums on the first single that paired “Volta Meu Bem” with “Ganhei Um Avião.”

When Della Mônica left to honor commitments with Matogrosso, the lineup was rebuilt around Paul De Castro (initially on bass, later guitar), Roberto Lly on bass, and Pena on drums; their debut LP arrived in November 1982. After departing EMI Odeon for RCA, the act became a quartet—Renato Ladeira on keyboards and vocals, Fred Maciel on drums and vocals, Roberto Lly on bass and vocals, and Marcelo Sussekind on guitar and vocals. Their third album produced another national success with “Amante Profissional,” written by Roberto Lly, which received three separate videos from TV Cultura São Paulo, TV Globo, and Billy Bond.