Roupa Nova

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Os Famks, Os Motokas

Years Active

1980

Genres

soft rock, pop rock, MPB, aor

Instruments

vocals, keyboards, guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussion

Biography

Formed in Rio de Janeiro in 1980, Roupa Nova is one of Brazil's most enduring and commercially successful bands, known for their sophisticated vocal harmonies and high production standards. The group's roots lie in the baile band Os Famks, which gradually brought together the classic lineup of Cleberson Horsth, Ricardo Feghali, Kiko, Nando, Serginho Herval, and the late Paulinho. The band was renamed after a song by Milton Nascimento, signaling a shift toward an original pop-rock repertoire that would define the Brazilian radio landscape for decades.

During the 1980s, Roupa Nova became a staple of Brazilian television, holding the record for the most songs featured in telenovela soundtracks. Iconic hits like "Dona," "Whisky a Go Go," and "Anjo" became national anthems, propelling albums such as Herança (1987) to sales of over a million copies. Their technical proficiency made them highly sought-after session musicians for some of the biggest names in MPB, including Gal Costa and Zizi Possi, as well as being the performers behind the famous "Tema da Vitória" used in Formula 1 broadcasts.

The band's career saw a massive resurgence in the 2000s with the Roupacústico series, which introduced their music to a younger generation. In 2009, they achieved international recognition by winning a Latin Grammy for Best Brazilian Contemporary Pop Album with Roupa Nova em Londres. Despite the loss of original vocalist Paulinho to COVID-19 complications in 2020, the band continues to perform with new member Fábio Nestares, maintaining a legacy of over 40 years of uninterrupted activity.

Discography

• Roupa Nova (1981)
• Roupa Nova (1982)
• Roupa Nova (1983)
• Roupa Nova (1984)
• Roupa Nova (1985)
• 1984 (1985)
• 1985 (1985)
• Herança (1987)
• A Força do Amor (1987)
• Luz (1988)
• Frente e Versos (1990)
• Ao Vivo (1991)
• So Doi Quando Eu Rio (1991)
• De Volta ao Começo (1993)
• VidaVida (1994)
• 6 / 1 (1996)
• Através dos Tempos (1997)
• Agora Sim! (1999)
• Ouro de Minas (2001)
• Roupacústico (2004)
• Roupacústico 2 (2006)
• Natal Todo Dia (2007)
• Em Londres (2009)
• 30 Anos Ao Vivo (2010)
• Cruzeiro (2012)
• Todo Amor Do Mundo (2016)
• As Novas do Roupa (2019)
• Noite Feliz (2021)
• Roupacústico Novelas (Ao Vivo) (2021)
• Roupa Nova 40 Anos (Ao Vivo) (2023)
• Roupa Nova 40 Anos, Pt. 1 (Ao Vivo) (2023)
• Roupa Nova 40 Anos, Pt. 2 (Ao Vivo) (2023)
• Instrumental - Roupa Nova Convida Daniel Musy