Os Paralamas do Sucesso is a Brazilian rock band, formed in Rio de Janeiro in the late 1970s and still active as of 2006. The band are considered one of the "Big Four" of Brazilian rock bands from the 80's, along with Barão Vermelho, Legião Urbana and Titãs. From its very beginning, the band combined rock with ska, influenced by The Police in the early '80s. Later on, they added horn arrangements and latin rhythms. History 1977-1983: The Beginning Although considered part of the "Gang from Brasília", because they lived there and befriended the local bands, the band's proper birthplace was Rio de Janeiro. Herbert Vianna e Felipe "Bi" Ribeiro were childhood friends and neighbors (Herbert's father was in the military, while Bi's was a diplomat). In 1977, Herbert went to Rio to attend military school, and met Bi once again. They decided to start a band, Herbert with his Fender Stratocaster and Bi (who had no musical training