The group was created as "Os Sete Modernos do Samba" in 1960. Since 1961, they have gone as "Os Originais do Samba", and performed at beaches and parties, including one at
Copacabana Palace. They were based in
Recife after making an excursion in the United States, and in 1968 they accompanied
Elis Regina in a winning song at the first Bienal do Samba, called
Lapinha, written by
Baden Powell and P.C. Pinheiro. With the resulting good publicity, the group, originally made up of Bidi, Bigode Chiquinho, Lelei, Rubão and Mussum, signed with
RCA and recorded their first album,
Os Originais do Samba, in 1969. The album was a huge success, boosted by the single
"Cadê Tereza?", written by
Jorge Ben. They participated at festivals and were certified gold discs for the sales of their recordings, combining their unison singing style, matching clothes and humorous lyrics. In 1979, Mussum left the group to dedicate himself to his comedy career. In 1980, they recorded a disc
("Mulher, Mulher", with Jorge Ben), a LP in 1981 titled
Eu me Rendo (
Fábio Jr.), and another LP in 1983 titled
Canta Meu Povo, Canta. where they shedded their older aesthetics, while also keeping with their musical style of traditional samba with new songs, as well as special guests such as
Zeca Pagodinho,
Benito Di Paula, and Reinaldo. == Members ==