Michael Fernand Nascimento de Castro Biggs, known professionally as Mike Biggs (August 16, 1974), is a Brazilian singer most known as a member of children's music group Turma do Balão Mágico.[1]
Michael Biggs | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Michael Fernand Nascimento de Castro Biggs |
| Born | 16 August 1974 |
| Origin | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Genres | Children's music, Pop, pop rock |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, actor, TV host |
| Instrument(s) | Vocal |
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Labels | CBS Records Sony Music JT Records |
Early life edit
Biggs was born on 16 August 1974 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to 45-year old Ronnie Biggs, a British fugitive criminal who had fled the UK in 1970,[2][3] and his girlfriend, 19-year old Raimunda Rothen de Castro, a Brazilian stripper.[4] He lived in Santa Teresa,[5] an upper-middle-class neighborhood in Zona Central, Rio de Janeiro.
Career edit
Biggs' music career began in 1982, when his father was kidnapped by British ex-soldiers hoping to collect a reward from the British police. Biggs made a plea on national television for the safe return of his father.[6] Publicity from the television appearance led to him being offered a role in children's musical group Turma do Balão Mágico. From 1983 to 1986 he starred on the Rede Globo television show Balão Mágico which featured the band.[7][8][9][10]
After the group disbanded in 1986, Biggs abandoned show business[11] and worked as a construction worker.[12] In 2018, Biggs joined former bandmates Simony and Tob for a reunion tour of Brazil commemorating of the group's 35th anniversary.[13]
Since March 2021, Biggs has presented the musical TV show Papo Musical on cable television channel Arte1.[14][15]
In 2023, he appeared in a Star+ documentary about the band.[16][17][18]
Personal life edit
In 2001, Biggs moved to the United Kingdom with his father, who turned himself in to the police after spending the last thirty years as a fugitive in Brazil. In 2002, Michael received British citizenship after his parents married in a prison ceremony.[19]
References edit
- ^ Warburton, Dan; Blackburne, Elaine (August 9, 2023). "Train Robber Ronnie Biggs' left son love and a 'dirty surname'". WalesOnline. Archived from the original on August 11, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
- ^ "Profile: Ronnie Biggs". 6 August 2009. Archived from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ "Michael Biggs: The end of the line for a dutiful son?". The Independent. December 3, 2001. Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
- ^ "Ronald Biggs, o ladrão que escapou da Justiça por 35 anos". BBC News Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). 18 December 2013. Archived from the original on 21 January 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ "A casa que morou Ronald Biggs, o ladrão do século, foi roteiro turístico em Santa Teresa". Bafafá (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 30 September 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ James, Erwin (August 24, 2009). "My father Ronnie Biggs". The Guardian. Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
- ^ "Ex-'Balão mágico', Mike revela que perdeu a virgindade aos 11 anos: 'Fumei pela primeira vez também'". extra. July 6, 2023. Archived from the original on September 30, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
- ^ "Mike, do Balão Mágico, conta que fumou maconha com Menudos em hotel no Rio". www.uol.com.br. Archived from the original on 2023-09-30. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
- ^ "Folha de S.Paulo - Fama em dois tempos: Biggs, ex-Balão Mágico lamenta infância - 02/10/2005". www1.folha.uol.com.br. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
- ^ "Documentário do Balão Mágico mostrará pressão por trás da fama; relembre a história do grupo". O Globo. June 24, 2023. Archived from the original on June 28, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
- ^ Warburton, Dan (August 8, 2023). "Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs 'left son nothing but dirty a surname and love'". mirror. Archived from the original on August 14, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
- ^ Marckezini, Fabio (7 July 2023). "Fora da TV, ex-Balão Mágico se entregou às drogas e virou peão de obra". TV História (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 30 September 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ "Após 35 anos, integrantes do Balão Mágico programam volta". Extra Online. March 13, 2018. Archived from the original on July 10, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
- ^ Marília, Giro. "Ex-Balão Mágico, Mike Biggs estreia atração sobre música no mês que vem - Notícias sobre famosos - Giro Marília Notícias". Giro Marília. Archived from the original on 2021-11-04. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
- ^ "Ex-Balão Mágico, Mike Biggs estreia atração sobre música no mês que vem". www.msnoticias.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 31 March 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ "Assistir | A Superfantástica História do Balão | Star+". www.starplus.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 2023-07-11. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
- ^ "Balão Mágico e Xuxa, fenômenos fonográficos dos anos 1980, são historiados em séries documentais". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2023-07-02. Archived from the original on 2023-07-13. Retrieved 2023-07-13.
- ^ "Fenômeno do Balão Mágico nos anos 80 é explorado em documentário". Terra (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 2023-07-13. Retrieved 2023-07-13.
- ^ "Train robber's son becomes UK citizen". BBC. 24 September 2002. Archived from the original on 27 February 2003. Retrieved 29 September 2023.