Kid Abelha

Kid Abelha & os Abóboras Selvagens rank among Brazil’s foundational Brazilian rock acts. Bassist Carlos Leoni and saxophonist George Israel launched the project in 1981 while attending Rio’s PUC; Leoni recruited drummer Carlos Beni and invited fellow student Paula Toller to handle vocals, after which guitarist Beto Martins and keyboardist Richard Owens rounded out the lineup. The name, drawn directly from Kid Creole & the Coconuts, was coined on the spot for an early radio slot.

Throughout the early 1980s, as Brazilian rock gained momentum, the station Rádio Fluminense FM—nicknamed Maldita—devoted substantial airtime to emerging local groups. In 1982 the band cut a demo featuring the new-wave tracks “Vida de Cão é Chato Pra Cachorro” and “Distração.” Maldita embraced the tape, which secured gigs at the alternative venue Circo Voador beginning 13 November 1982. That December the group played EMI/Odeon’s launch event for the Rolling Stones’ Still Life; after a further Circo appearance, both demo songs appeared on the WEA anthology Rock Voador. Their debut single, coupling “Pintura Intima” with “Por Que Não Eu?,” soon crossed from the underground circuit to national commercial stations and moved 100,000 units—the first gold single in the nascent style. Throughout 1983 the band played repeatedly in Rio and made its São Paulo debut.

Another single, “Como Eu Quero,” earned gold status in 1984 and landed a contract for the first album, Seu Espião, issued in May. With the revised lineup of Paula Toller, Leoni, George Israel, and guitarist Bruno Fortunato, the record sold 150,000 copies. On 15 January 1985 the quartet opened one night of the landmark Rock in Rio festival before 250,000 spectators. Later that year the second album, Educação Sentimental, followed and moved 200,000 units. On 23 February 1986, during the Cidade Live Concert festival, Leo Jaime—co-writer with Leoni of “Fórmula do Amor,” previously recorded by Kid Abelha—introduced the song without crediting Leoni. The ensuing exchange of sharp words produced divided reactions within the group and ultimately prompted Leoni’s departure, leaving Kid Abelha a trio. The loss of the principal songwriter and lyricist proved severe. Toller and Israel formed a new writing partnership and continued touring Brazil through 1986 and 1987 under the Kid Abelha name, drawing on the existing catalogue. Their 13 September 1987 concert at São Paulo’s Palácio de Convenções do Anhembi was captured for the live album Ao Vivo, released the following year.

Also in 1987 the first album from the new partnership, Tomate, appeared and likewise sold 100,000 copies. Live performances demonstrated growing audience command, notably at the II Festival Alternativa Nativa, where Toller infused her set with a Marilyn Monroe flourish before 20,000 people. The 1989 release Kid achieved modestly higher sales than Tomate. From that point through 1994 every album registered roughly 100,000 units. Kid Abelha sustained an active schedule of recordings and tours.