Dominó

History

Dominó was modeled after the Puerto Rican boy band Menudo. When Menudo gained popularity in Brazil, Augusto Liberato, through his Promoart agency, decided to create a Brazilian version of the group. Boys aged 14 to 15 auditioned by learning to sing and dance. The selected members were Affonso Celso Lucatelli Nigro (Afonso Nigro), Lenilson dos Santos (Nill), Marcos Roberto Quintela (Marcos) and Marcelo Henrique Rodrigues (Marcelo). In 1984, the group released a CBS Compact Disc with two covers of songs by the Mexican group Timbiriche: "Ela Não Gosta de Mim" and "Companheiro." The latter became their first radio hit, supported by a video clip aired on Globo's program Fantástico. In 1985, after Dominó had become popular, their first LP on CBS included "Companheiro," "Ela Não Gosta de Mim," and the single "Ainda Sou Você." The album also featured special appearances by the group Turma do Balão Mágico on "Chega Mais Um Pouco" and "Fim de Semana." In 1986, Dominó appeared frequently on TV shows, especially TVS, and gained a special station at a resort. That year they released a record in Spanish and entered the Latin market; the LP included a remake of "Lindo Balão Azul" by Guilherme Arantes. Their second album produced the hits "Guerreiros," "Mariá," "Amor e Música," and "Jura de Amor." By 1987, after three years of touring, Dominó was a success with both the public and critics. Their third LP marked the peak of "dominómania" in the country, featuring hits like "'P. da Vida," "Manequim," and "Medusa." That same year they appeared in the film Os Fantasmas Trapalhões alongside Gugu Liberato. In 1988, the "Black Album" showed the group maturing with more reflective songs, including "Com Todos Menos Comigo," "Bruta Ansiedade," and "As Palavras," the last featuring Angélica, then a presenter on Rede Manchete. That year the quartet also participated in two films: Os Heróis Trapalhões - Uma Aventura na Selva and Os Trapalhões na Terra dos Monstros, where they performed the song "Paradise." They sold about 6 million copies throughout Brazil.