Turma do Balão Mágico
| Company type | Musical ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music, entertainment |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Founder | Tomas Muñoz (proposed formation) |
| Defunct | 1991 |
| Fate | Disbanded |
| Headquarters | Brazil , Brazil |
Area served | Brazil |
Key people | Simony Benelli Galasso, Vimerson Canavilas Benedicto (Tob), Michael Biggs (Mike), Jair Oliveira (Jairzinho), Ricardo Batista (Ricardinho) |
| Products | Music albums, television program "Balão Mágico" |
| Owner | CBS Records (Columbia label), Som Livre (later) |
Number of employees | 5 (members) (1980s) |
Turma do Balão Mágico ("The Magic Balloon Gang") was a prominent Brazilian children's musical ensemble active between 1982 and 1991. The group also featured as the main cast in the television program Balão Mágico.
During their career, they produced six albums under the Columbia label, achieving combined sales of 13 million units and attracting concert audiences as large as 60,000. Their most renowned song was "Superfantástico."
Members
- Simony (Simony Benelli Galasso): The sole female member;
- Tob (Vimerson Canavilas Benedicto): The eldest participant;
- Mike (Michael Biggs): Son of the British criminal Ronnie Biggs;
- Jairzinho (Jair Oliveira): Offspring of Brazilian artist Jair Rodrigues;
- Ricardinho (Ricardo Batista): The newest addition to the lineup.
Formation of the group
In 1981, Simony Benelli gained recognition through her performances on the TV show Raul Gil. Encouraged by this success, Tomas Muñoz proposed assembling a musical group. That same year, Vimerson Canavilas Benedicto also garnered attention via talent contests and advertisements. He underwent a recording audition and was paired with Simony to form a duo.
Edgard Poças was commissioned to write lyrics, initially adapting international hits for the group. Instead, he crafted original compositions that fused Brazilian musical styles with familiar tunes, resulting in the creation of "A Turma do Balão Mágico." Shortly after recording began, Michael Biggs attracted national interest following the kidnapping of his father, Ronald Biggs. Muñoz invited Michael to join after hearing his rendition of "Oh, Suzana," which led to his solo recording and adoption of the stage name "Mike."
To make Vimerson's name more accessible for children, the label condensed parts of his surname into the nickname "Tob." Their debut album, released in 1982, surpassed one million copies sold. Subsequently, the trio embarked on extensive tours throughout Brazil supported by large production crews and entertainers.
Second album and Globo television show
Building on their initial success, CBS prioritized producing a second album. Munõz and Edgard Poças developed a collection centered on themes such as school life, friendship, and young love to mirror their audience's development. The label encouraged a shift toward pop and dance genres, reducing MPB influences. Distinguished guest artists featured on this album included Djavan ("Superfantástico") and Baby Consuelo ("Together"). Upon its release in September 1983, the album sold over one million copies during the Christmas period alone and continued to gain popularity. This triumph secured the group's own show on Rede Globo starting in March 1983, which was later expanded with additional animations and longer episodes. The program introduced Orival Pessini’s character Fofão, who became an enduring cultural icon nationwide.
Television prominence, new member addition, and third album
With both a successful record release and daily TV presence on Brazil's top network, A Turma do Balão Mágico prepared for their next album while searching for an additional member. Jair Oliveira, recognized for performing alongside his father Jair Rodrigues in Italy, was invited to join after impressing the label during a solo performance. Known as Jairzinho, he replaced an initially planned female addition at the show's launch. That year also saw Simony contributing significantly to revitalizing the group Os Trapalhões as a quartet.
As members matured—Tob reaching 13 years old and outgrowing children’s songs, Simony at 8 and Mike at 10 growing older—CBS restructured the band’s direction. Edgard Poças produced an album aimed at teenagers featuring romantic tracks like "Se Enamora," which achieved success both domestically and internationally. With Tob and Simony as lead vocalists, this 12-track release included a miniature toy theatre as an added feature.
Released in September 1984, their third album is often considered their finest work; it set new records while maintaining strong airplay on radio and television. The group dominated Brazil's child and youth entertainment market, driving demand for live shows and boosting TV ratings. They also participated in public health initiatives such as rabies vaccination campaigns. In October, Rede Globo broadcasted a Children's Month special titled The Magic Balloon Group em Amigos do Peito, produced by Augusto César Vannucci with contributions from Stil, Edi Newton, Paulo Netto, Wilson Rocha, under the direction of Paulo Netto.
Despite reaching this peak of popularity, significant transformations awaited the band in the following year that would eventually conclude their vibrant career.
Tob's exit, Ricardinho's arrival, and the fourth album
After the previous year's achievements, CBS significantly increased its support for Turma do Balão Mágico. The show’s impressive audience numbers combined with record-breaking sales of the third album elevated the band’s prominence. Som Livre brought together leading MPB musicians to create a tribute album dedicated to the genre, featuring Balão Mágico reinterpreting Chico Buarque's "A Banda."
With growing popularity, work commenced on the fourth studio album as the TV program's viewership climbed. Nevertheless, in late 1985, Tob, aged 14, underwent voice changes and a growth spurt, leading CBS to remove him from both the band and Globo’s show. His spot was filled by 10-year-old Ricardinho. The revised lineup—Simony, Jairzinho, Mike, and Ricardinho—finalized the fourth album, which enjoyed commercial success aided by promotional items such as savings account vouchers and toy merry-go-rounds. Despite solid sales figures, the group’s momentum began to wane due to these personnel adjustments.
Rede Globo broadcasted a special titled A Turma do Balão Mágico Nº 2, produced by Augusto Cesar Vannucci and his production team.
Following this period, sales gradually decreased, and as members matured quickly, 1986 signaled the start of the band’s decline.
Fifth album and group's dissolution
In March 1986, Simony departed from Rede Globo to lead her solo program Nave da Fantasia on Rede Manchete, although she initially stayed with the group. Concurrently, Mike and Ricardinho exited both the ensemble and television show. With these departures alongside the forthcoming debut of Xou da Xuxa in June occupying the same time slot, Rede Globo discontinued its children's programming segment. For three months thereafter, Jairzinho, Castrinho, and Ticiane Pinheiro (transferred from Band) served as hosts. To fill the vacancies left by Mike and Ricardinho, Luciana Benelli (Simony’s cousin) and Luciana Mello (Jairzinho’s sister) joined the lineup. Meanwhile, Orival Pessini signed with Band to present "TV Fofão."
The group's fifth and final album, A Turma do Balão Mágico, was released in October alongside a nationwide tour that culminated in December 1986 with the official disbandment of Turma do Balão Mágico.
Reunion in 2018
On March 7, 2018, "Balão Mágico" marked its 35th anniversary. In April of that year, former members Mike, Tob, and Simony came together again for various TV appearances, concerts, and festivals; however, Jair Oliveira, Castrinho, Fofão, Luciana, and Ricardinho did not participate.
Documentary
Star+ launched a documentary focusing on the band’s legacy as one of the most significant phonographic phenomena of the 1980s.
Discography
| Year | Album Details | Singles | Certification |
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| 1982 | A Turma do Balão Mágico
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| 1983 | A Turma do Balão Mágico
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| 1984 | A Turma do Balão Mágico
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| 1985 | A Turma do Balão Mágico
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| 1986 | A Turma do Balão Mágico
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