Polegar
| Company type | Boy band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Founder | Promoart (owned by Gugu Liberato) |
| Defunct | 2014 |
Area served | Brazil, South America |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Polegar was a Brazilian boy band formed in 1989 by Promoart, a media enterprise owned by Gugu Liberato.
History
Comprising four members, Polegar gained widespread recognition during the late 1980s and early 1990s. They broke attendance records throughout Brazil and other markets in South America. Their self-titled debut album, released in 1989, included the track "Dá Pra Mim," which achieved gold and platinum certifications after selling more than 500,000 copies. Other popular songs such as "Ando Falando Sozinho" and "Sou Como Sou" further enhanced their commercial acclaim.
The band's sophomore album, Ela Não Liga, came out in 1990 and also earned gold and platinum awards with sales surpassing 250,000 units. That same year, Polegar made their cinematic debut in the film Uma Escola Atrapalhada, featuring alongside Gugu Liberato and additional cast members; the movie’s soundtrack featured their song "Sou Como Sou."
By 1991, the single "Quero Mais" was among the most broadcasted tracks in Brazil. Following three album releases, Polegar had sold over one million records globally.
The group disbanded in 1997 after one member left. In 2004, they reunited with three original members and independently released an album that did not match the success of their earlier works. They appeared on shows such as Superpop and Pânico na TV before ceasing activities altogether in 2014.
Members
Denis, Polegar’s guitarist and vocalist, holds a law degree and currently works as a Civil Police delegate in Concórdia, Santa Catarina; he also teaches at UNIDAVI university located in Rio do Sul. Alan Frank, the keyboardist, is an ophthalmologist who served in the Brazilian Air Force. Alex Gill, who handled vocals and bass guitar, pursued a solo career as a recording artist and continues to work as a music producer and composer.
Rafael Ilha, another guitarist, specializes in drug rehabilitation programs and regularly appears on the television show A Tarde É Sua alongside journalist Sonia Abrão. Both guitarist Marcelo and drummer Ricardo Costa are law graduates; Ricardo additionally managed a radio show based in São Paulo.
Alex Gill collaborates closely with Fernando Kitagawa; together they compose, produce, and perform music throughout Brazil. In 2014, Polegar announced intentions to release a DVD commemorating their 25th anniversary.
Lineups
| Formation | Bass Guitar and Vocals | Guitar and Vocals | Guitar and classical guitar | Keyboard and Piano | Drums and Percussion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st (1989 to 1990) | Alex | Rafael | Marcelo | Alan | Ricardo |
| 2nd (1990) | |||||
| 3rd (1991 to 1992) | André | ||||
| 4th (1993 to 1999) | Denis | ||||
| 5th (1999) | |||||
| 6th (2004) | Alex | Rafael | |||
| 7th (2014) |
Studio albums
- Polegar (1989)
- Polegar (1990)
- Polegar (1991)
- Polegar (1994)
- Toma Toma
- Rumo
Extended plays
- 4 Grandes Êxitos do Polegar
Singles
- "Dá pra Mim"
- "Ando Falando Sozinho"
- "Sou Como Sou"
- "Ela não Liga"
- "Quero Mais"
- "Qualquer Hora"
Filmografia
- Uma Escola Atrapalhada