Menudo (group)

Menudois a Puerto Ricanboy bandformed by producerEdgardo Díaz.Referred to as the "most iconic Latino pop music band",they have been ranked as one of the biggest boy bands of all time by several publications, includingBillboard,Us Weekly,Seventeen, andTeen Vogue, being the only Latin band on their lists.
The band had several radio hits during its career. They acted in a television film (1979'sLeyenda de Amor) and two feature films,An Adventure Called Menudo(Una aventura llamada Menudo) andMenudo: The Movie(Menudo: La Película), in threemini seriesentitled "I Want to Be", "It's for Love" and "Forever Friends" ("Quiero Ser", "Es Por Amor" and "Por Siempre Amigos") and another television mini-series namedPanchito and Arturo(Panchito y Arturo).
Menudo's original lineup consisted of five boys: brothersFernando and Nefty Sallaberry(ages 12 and 13); the Melendez brothers,Carlos Meléndez, (age 12),Óscar Meléndez, (age 11), andRicky Meléndez, (age 9); the latter three are Díaz's cousins.The band's golden-era lineupconsisted of members Ricky Meléndez,Johnny Lozada,René Farrait,Miguel Cancel,Xavier Serbiá,Charlie MassoandRay Reyes. It was also a starting point for popular international stars likeRicky Martin(1984–89) andDraco Rosa(1984–87), who were members of the band in the mid-1980s.
Entering the 1990s their popularity started to wane and allegations of drug use andsexual abuseaccusations against Díaz started to surface. In 1997, the rights and the name Menudo were sold. The remaining members continued to perform asMDOuntil their official disbandment in 2002. However, this iteration has continued to perform sporadically since. New management of Menudo formed a new line-up in 2007, releasing an EP but disbanding in 2009. Some of the members of the "golden era" of the band reunited in 1998 under the nameEl Reencuentroand in 2019 for the "Get on My Motorcycle" ("Súbete a Mi Moto Tour").
Menudo is estimated to have sold 20 million albums worldwide and has generated over 300 million US dollars.
Menudo was formed in 1977 by music producerEdgardo Díaz. The original line up consisted of 5 members, the Sallaberry brothers,Fernando and Nefty, and Díaz's cousins, the Melendez brothers,Oscar,Carlos, andRicky.They were signed to Padosa Records and released their first albumLos Fantasmasin 1977. It featured "Teach Me To Sing" ("Enséñame a cantar"), a song by Spanish singerMicky. In 1978 they released another album calledLaura. Fifteen-year-old Nefty was the very first member to leave and was replaced by 12-year-oldRené Farrait. In 1979, they released an album calledLittle Girl(Chiquitita). At the end of 1979, Carlos left the band at age 15 and was replaced by 12-year-oldJohnny Lozada, after which they made their first Christmas album,Congratulations("Felicidades").
In the early 1980s, Menudo had several hits, including "The Ghosts" ("Los Fantasmas") and a cover version ofABBA's "Do You Want" ("Voulez-Vous"). They filmed three music videos for the song "Little Girl" ("Chiquitita"), including one withPuerto Ricanmusic starEdnita Nazario(who sang with them and played the titular "Chiquitita" on the video).The group then released several moderately successful albums, includingFuego(Fire), which yielded hits "Ella A-A" ("Her"), "Fuego" ("Fire"), and "A Bailar" ("To Dance").They also made "Fui Hecho Para Amarte", which itself was also a cover, in that song's case ofKISS's '"I Was Made For Lovin' You",but that song was not included inFuego, and was released on theirXanadualbum instead.
During 1981, the group, which by then consisted ofRené Farrait(14),Johnny Lozada(13),Xavier Serbiá(13),Miguel Cancel(13), and remaining original member Ricky Melendez (13), released "I Want to Be" ("Quiero Ser"). The album would launch Menudo into international stardom. It included hit songs such as  "I Want to Be" ("Quiero Ser"), "Get on My Motorcycle" ("Súbete A Mi Moto"), "Rock on TV" ("Rock En La TV"), "Clarity" ("Claridad"), and "My Band Plays Rock" ("Mi Banda Toca Rock"). They also had their own telenovela series entitledI Want To Be(Quiero Ser).
In the same year, the group hosted a television show onTelemundoentitledMenudo Young People(Gente Joven de Menudo). They hosted a yearly beauty pageant, "Menudo's young girl" ("La chica joven de Menudo") and the winner of the pageant would sometimes appear in the band's videos or join them onstage at their concerts throughout the United States.
Menudo became very popular throughoutLatin America, from Mexico to Argentina, andBrazil. They also became the first boy band to own their own private jet. Díaz, their manager, purchased aLockheed JetStarthat had belonged to American PresidentRichard Nixonand theShah of Iran. He had Menudo's name emblazoned on both sides of the fuselage. In 1982,Charlie Masso, then age 12, replacedRené Farrait, age 14. Masso's first album with Menudo was "For Love" ("Por Amor"). During this boom of popularity, fans started calling themselves contagious to the "Menuditis", similar toBeatlemaniaandBieber Fever, or the "Menudomania". They were so popular that they starred in their own feature films:Menudo: The MovieandAn Adventure Called Menudo.AventurastarredGladys Rodríguezas Mister Mia ("Señora Mía") and included songs such as "Clara" and "Fly" ("A Volar").
During their first visit to New York in early 1983,Ray Reyes, 12, replacedXavier Serbiá, 14. Their American fanbase grew, especially among the young, as evidenced byMenudo on ABC, a
series of four minute music spots that aired during the Fall 1983 season ofABC's youth-oriented Saturday-morning programming block.They also sang the theme song for ABC'sRubik, the Amazing Cube.Miguel Cancelbecame the first member to voluntarily quit the group. According to a 1998 interview, he was unhappy that a sudden voice change rendered him unable to sing his songs, so he opted to leave before his scheduled departure. He was replaced byRoy Rosselló, 13. Menudo signed a six-year multimillion-dollar contract withRCA Internationaland released their Spanish albumA Todo Rock(Full of Rock). According toTimemagazine, at the end of July, the group had already sold 3 million copies worldwide,750,000 in USA only.
Around that time, Menudo merchandise began to be mass-produced. Merchandise included Menudo dolls, which appeared in the United States and Latin American toy markets in 1984,Menudo Topps trading cards,wristwatches,fotonovelas, fanzines, T-shirts, a 1981 board game named "Menudo Karshow"and other clothing accessories and school supplies. In 1984, Robby Rosa (now known asDraco Rosa), 14, replacedJohnny Lozada, 16, just in time for Menudo to release their first English-language album,Reaching Out, which featured the theme track "Like a Cannonball" for theHollywoodmovieCannonball Run 2; and their first Portuguese album,Mania, both featuring versions of some of their Spanish hits. During the first half of 1984, Menudo toured the U.S. and Brazil. The Spanish version "Como Cannonball" was used in the Filipino youth movieBagets 2and also featured the song "Fly Away".
On September 16, 1984,Ricky Melendez, 16, the sole remaining original member, left the group. Up until then, he was the only Menudo member to remain with the group for seven years. He was replaced byRicky Martin, then 12, who debuted on the album,Evolución(Evolution). During this time, Menudo's popularity reached parts ofAsiaincludingJapanand thePhilippines, and the group made English-language commercials forPepsi,Scope,Burger King,McDonald's, andCrest. They also made a guest appearance on the popular American children's programSesame Street. By the end of September, sales of their records surpassed 8 million copies worldwide.Then, much to the surprise of fans and himself,Ray Reyes, 15, departed the group earlier than expected, due to internal conflicts between Ray's father and the manager (information recently confirmed by his brother Raúl Reyes). In a 1998 interview, Reyes stated he was surprised when during a Menudo interview in 1985, the interviewer asked who would leave the group next and Edgardo Díaz named Ray. The group also had a weekly television show called "Menudo Mania".
Raymond Acevedo(13) took over Reyes' spot in 1985 and Menudo sang vocals for the Spanish-English song "Cantare, Cantaras" (I Will Sing, You Will Sing) with various Latin artists to raise money for UNICEF. This song was the Latin American version of "We Are the World". "Cantare, Cantaras" was recorded on April 9, 1985, at the A&M Studios. The group released their second English-language album,Menudowhich contains the songs "Hold Me" (#62 Billboard Hot 100, RCA 14087)and "Explosion", both with lead vocals by Robi Rosa. They also released their next Spanish album,Ayer Y Hoy(Yesterday And Today), and their second Portuguese albumA Festa Vai Comecar(The Party Is Going To Start). They successfully touredBrazil, performing before hundreds of thousands of fans, but there were allegations of the tour being poorly organized: the capacity for a concert inRio de Janeirowas 60,000 but 70,000 tickets were sold, and 2 women died. InSão Paulo, a 100,000-capacity stadium was sold-out with 200,000 people, and in the São Paulo city ofCampinas, rain delayed a concert for 4 hours.
In 1986, the song King Holiday was recorded. Later in the yearRoy Rosselló(15) was replaced bySergio Blass(13) but no farewell concert was held.  According to a book written by Raymond Acevedo's father in 2012 titled "Papi, Quiero Ser Un Menudo," Roy threatened to expose management irregularities to the press and was given a huge sum of money to leave the group due to his behavior as it was deemed by creator Edgardo Diaz as "uncontrollable." At this time, Menudo's management startedbending the rulesa little and started allowing members to remain in the group after reaching the age limit. Sergio had been in two Puerto Rican groups prior to joining Menudo; the first being Concepto Juvenil from 1983 to 1985, and thenLos Chicos de Puerto Rico, for a few months in 1985. The group released several albums that year, starting with their only Italian album,Viva! Bravo!, which they showcased in Italy in theSan Remo Music Festival. The Spanish albumRefrescante(Refreshing), the English albumCan't Get Enough, and the Portuguese albumMenudofollowed respectively, then came tours of the U.S., Latin America (including Brazil), and thePhilippines.
In January 1987,Ralphy Rodriguez(13) replaced Charlie (17) just as the group began facing internal conflicts. First,Robby(17) quit without warning in the midst of a Brazilian tour, becoming the third member to quit voluntarily. Apparently, he had written a song and presented the idea to management and they turned him down, supposedly mocking him, which prompted him to leave. Robby's lawyer prevented them from using his song. Also, the group was dropped from RCA International due to low record sales, so they signed a contract with Melody International Mexico. Charlie was asked to return to the group to complete the Brazilian tour and to embark on the Summer in the Street U.S. tour and introduce new memberRubén Gómez(13).
At that point, the group underwent a complete image makeover, changing their look to a rougher, more rugged, rock-n-roll-like look. Members were Ralphy, Ruben, Ricky Martin, Sérgio and Raymond: this formation became known as Los Hijos Del Rock. Their music, formerly described as bubblegum-pop, underwent a similar change. They released the Spanish albumSomos Los Hijos del Rock(We Are The Sons Of Rock), followed by an English-Tagalogalbum for the Philippines titledIn Actionwith Ralphy and Rubén. In late 1987, Ralphy's parents pulled him from the group, citing improper treatment by management; this eventually came to light in 1991 with accusations of a Menudo sex scandal.Charlie was again asked to fill in during the Philippines tour, which would be their last as their popularity there waned.
In early 1988,Angelo García(11) replacedRalphy Rodríguez(14) and they released their final English-language album,Sons of Rock, scoring an international hit, "You Got Potential". Another song, "TLC", featured lead vocals byRicky Martin. In August 1988, Raymond Acevedo's contract was about to expire, but he decided to leave before auditions were held for his replacement, and Menudo performed as a quartet for a few months beforeRobert Avellanet(13) took over. The albumSombras Y Figuraswas released at the end of the year. During 1989, longtime memberRicky Martin(17) left the group to pursue a solo career.Rawy Torres(13) years old, replaced him and the formationLos Ultimos Heroeswas born and they released the album Los Últimos Héroes. This formation was a success. They filmed a telenovela of the same name. Future memberJonathan Montenegroacted alongside them.
Despite their newfound success, the group kept facing problems: At age 13 during a concert in Caracas, Venezuela,Angelo Garcíaleft the stage because of the pain ofappendicitis; a new member was chosen by Sergio's mother and he wasCésar Abreu(13), who only lasted 7 months. Like Sergio, Abreu was in Concepto Juvenil, from 1989 to early 1990. They released another Portuguese album,Os Ultimos Herois.
Management was preparing for Sergio's departure and debuted the first non-Puerto Rican member, Adrián Olivares (13) of Mexico, who entered the group with the formation of Ruben/Robert/Rawy/Cesar/Adrian, but Abreu suddenly departed just seven months in the group. Management decided to bring Sergio back in (making him the second member to be back in Menudo after Charlie Masso) for another Spanish album,No Me Corten El Pelo(Don't Cut My Hair) featuring the Sergio/Rubén/Robert/Rawy/Adrián lineup. During this time, Menudo: Edicion Brasil was renamed to Os Ultimos Herois, but Cesar's vocals were kept as the cover was changed with Adrian in it and also an additional track sung by Rawy Torres.
In November 22, 1990, two members were arrested atMiami International Airport, Sergio Blass and Ruben Gomez, ages 18 and 16, after a sniffer dog foundmarijuanain their pockets. It would have been acquired in Mexico while touring with Menudo. This resulted in a scandal and an expulsion from both of the members.In December, two new non-Puerto Rican members joined the group:Edward Aguilera(13) of Spain replaced Sergio Blass (18) (thus becoming the second European-after Fernando Salaberry-to be a member of the band) andJonathan Montenegro(12) of Venezuela replacedRubén Gómez(16).
At the end of 1990, with the resignation of Ruben Gomez and Sérgio Blass and the entry of the two new members, a new controversy arose: Jonathan, Edward, Rawy and Robert resigned from Menudo, alleging abuse and mistreatment.  This lineup lasted very little, from December 1990 to April 1991, and they didn't record any albums. Robert and Rawy  went on to create a separate group called Euphoria, Edward's singing career fizzled out, and Jonathan continued his acting career.
Adrian was the only one who remained in the group after he was approached while in Mexico and also was paid the money owed to him. The Management proposed a new lineup with a more international focus and Adrian wanting to be the oldest in the group accepted to come back.Edgardo Díaz left Puerto Rico and held auditions in Miami, Florida, signing Miami teensAlexis Grullón(13), Ashley Ruiz (15), and Andy Blázquez (12), and Pecos, Texas residentAbel Talamántez(12). The first album with the new lineup wasDetrás De Tu Mirada, which was very successful in the whole continent, especially inPeru. From then on, the Peruvian fanbase was the most important one.
Menudo continued to work, releasing an English single titled "Dancin', Movin', Shakin'", and a follow-up in 1993, "Cosmopolitan Girl", on McGillis Records. They also continued to travel through Latin America. In March 1992, Menudo filmed inNew York City"The Making of Dancin, Movin, Shakin" for Darrin McGillis Productions. In August 2012, the film was released for free viewing onYouTube.
In 1992, they released15 Años(15 Years), which would be Adrián's last album with the band, when he left in 1993. The album had hits such as "Buscame" and "Lo Que Juramos".Ricky López(13) replaced Adrián (16) and the group released their fifth Portuguese albumVem Pra Mim(Come to Me) in 1993. The next year, they released their 22nd Spanish album,Imaginate...(Imagine), with hits like "Un Hombre Que Sabia Demas", which is the Spanish version of "Um Homem Que Sabia Demais" fromSkank, "Yo Quiero Bailar Reggae", and "Mil Angeles", which was dedicated to a fan, Cecilia Lopez, who died at one of their concerts in Peru the year before.
In 1995, Ricky López (15) quit the group without warning, and again the band performed as a quartet for a few months. Ashley (19) had also decided to leave, so auditions were held andDidier Hernández(16) andAnthony Galindo(16) were chosen. Ashley's farewell concert was inPanama, where the new members were presented. In 1996, the group released their last Spanish album under the Menudo name,Tiempo De Amar(Time to Love). The album was very successful, producing several hit singles. Andy Blázquez (18) was replaced by Daniel René Weider. A spinoff group was formed asMDO. A Spanish album was released titledMDO.
In 1998 Ricky Meléndez, René Farrait, Miguel Cancel, Johnny Lozada, Ray Reyes, and Charlie Massó re-joined to celebrate the 15th anniversary of their success in Latin America, North America, Spain, and several other countries. They planned the reunion concert to take place atRadio City Music Hallin New York, as an experimental project. They ended up doing the shows at theAlliance Theatrein Atlanta, Georgia. They had an unexpected success and performed as an ensemble throughout North and Latin America until August 2015, when the group disbanded due to financial issues. They named thisEl Reencuentrobecause they could not use the "Menudo" name.
In 2000, MDO released their albumSubir Al Cielowith critical success. The album lead track "Te Quise Olvidar" topped theBillboard Hot Latin Tracksfor several weeks. The group follow-up singles "Sin Ti" and "Me Huele a Soledad" also reached the top 10 in the U.S.. In 2002, former members Sergio, Rubén, Robert, Angelo and Rawy reunited under the name "Los Últimos Héroes" giving numerous concerts in Venezuela.
In early 2003, MDO officially broke up on amicable terms. The members wanted to pursue other projects. Edgardo Díaz introduced the new MDO in January 2005. In 2004,Edgardo Díazannounced that he would be bringing a new group with the Menudo formula into the music industry. Initially expecting this new group to be named Menudo, he surprised the press and general public by naming themTick Tock.
Also in 2004, former Menudo members Roy, Raymond, Rubén, Sergio and Andy reunited under the name and banner:Menudo: La Reunion. They were based and focused primarily on a series of 'Brazilian' tours. Sergio left due to his prior commitment with "Los Últimos Héroes", and was replaced with Anthony Galindo. Andy would later be replaced by former MDO member Caleb Avilés before disbanding in late 2005, early 2006. In January 2005, producer Edgardo Díaz introduced the new MDO with four new members: Daniel Rodríguez, Luis Montes, Elliot Suro, and Lorenzo Duarte. The first three were among the contestants of Puerto Rican reality/talent showObjetivo Fama. This latest incarnation of the group achieved great success with their single "Otra Vez" which took them all acrossLatin America.
Also, in 2005, former Menudo members René, Johnny, Miguel, Ricky, Charlie, and Ray reunited once again to perform the songs that Menudo popularized during their era under the name and bannerEl Reencuentro: Momento del Adiosmaking this their farewell tour. There were plans to bring this production to Latin America and the U.S. Also in 2005, Sergio, Angelo, Robert, Rawy and Adrián reunited again under the nameLos Últimos Héroesafter their successful reunion concerts in 2002.
In 2006, formerMenudo: La Reunionmembers, Anthony and Rubén reunited and formed the duoBlacksheepand continued touring in Brazil. The duo grew a large fan base in both Brazil andHispanic America. In 2007, a re-release of the 1992 VHS film of Menudo The making ofDancin', Movin', Shakin'" was released on McGillis Records. EntitledTriple Threat DVD/CD Combo,the box set included the Film on DVD for the first time, along with two music CDs,Latin Teen StarsandDance Music All Night Long, featuring hit songs by Menudo, ex-Menudo members. The single, "Dancin', Movin', Shakin'", and "Cosmopolitan Girl" was released digitally on iTunes in May 2009.
In 2007, it was announced that Menudo would return after signing a multi-album contract withSony Music. That would be directed byJohnny Wright, he was the manager ofJustin Timberlakeand the new band music will be a fusion of urban, pop and rock in both English and Spanish. They began promoting the project in cities of the United States and Mexico to attract young singers who wanted to belong to a new band that would sing in Spanish and English. Auditions in different cities such as Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami, New York, among others. In the Dallas audition, radio announcer Daniel Luna and singerLuis Fonsiwere part of the selection jury. where they were selectedJC Gonzalezand Monti Montañez (Che Antonio). In New York, they took 25 boys and during this one-week mini-competency they chose 15: Monti Montañez  (Che Antonio),JC Gonzalez,Carlos Pena, Jr., Anthony, Carlos Olivero, Chris Moy, Dennis, Eric, Hansel, Henry, Jorge Gabriel, Jorge Negron, José Bordonada, Monti Montañez (Che Antonio), Thomas and Trevor. The 15 semifinalists met in South Beach, Florida to continue preparing with producerJohnny Wright, choreograph Anibal Marrero and voice coach David Coury, participating through a reality show showing the entire process of competition. The re-founding of the band was profiled in aMTVreality seriesentitledMaking Menudothat had launched as a primetime series on October 25, 2007, but was later pushed to afternoons due to low ratings.The series aired ten episodes, ending on November 20, 2007.
The members chosen in this version were: Jose Bordonada Collazo, Chris Moy, Emmanuel Vélez Pagán, Monti Montañez (Che Antonio), andCarlos Olivero. In December, a few weeks after the members of the group were chosen, theirMore Than WordsEP was released, including four songs: "More Than Words (A E I O U)," "Mas Que Amor (A E I O U)," "Move," and "This Christmas." Their first album was scheduled for release in autumn of 2008.
In 2009 they had a video in two versions titled: "Lost", in which the American actress, model and singer of Puerto Rican descent,Victoria Justice, appeared, which attracted much attention of the public towards the video. The group disbanded in early 2009.
After having internal band problems, El Reencuentro disbanded in 2015; Charlie Massó threatened to take legal action with Johnny Lozada, who had financial and managerial control of the project at the time.During 2016, four members of El Reencuentro René Farrait, Charlie Massó, Ray Reyes, Miguel Cancel and joined byRobert Avellanetwent back on tour, this time under the name Menudo. However the project disbanded quickly and continued with the Menudomania Forever Tour produced by In Miami Productions formed by other Menudo and MDO members from different eras, including Avellanet,Jonathan MontenegroandRawy Torres. In 2019, Ricky Meléndez, Johnny Lozada, Miguel Cancel, Ray Reyes and René Farrait, reunited once again for the "Súbete a Mi Moto Tour" that kicked off at theDunkin' Donuts Centerand included dates in Latin America. It was later informed that Robert Avellanet was replacing Miguel Cancel for the remainder of the tour that is on hold due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.
In September 2020, former Menudo and MDO memberAnthony Galindowas found unconscious after attempting suicide. He died days later after remaining hospitalized and became the first Menudo member to pass away.His family described the singer's deep depression from the prolonged shutdown of various entertainment performance venues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. His organs were donated in accordance with his last wish.Longtime member Ray Reyes died April 30, 2021, of a massive heart attack inNewark, New Jerseyat 51. The group finished its last version of the "Súbete A Mi Moto Tour" with members Ricky Meléndez, René Farrait, Johnny Lozada and Miguel Cancel.
It was announced during 2022 that a new group of people, led by Mexican-American actorMario Lopez, would launch a reboot of Menudo.  The project, named "Menudo: A New Beginning", held online auditions as well as ones in Miami, Florida, New York, NY,San Juan, Puerto Rico.and more.
On March 20, 2023, the new members of boy band, Menudo, performed onGood Morning America.The band's members are Alejandro Querales (aged 16), Ezra Gilmore (aged 14), Gabriel Rossell (aged 15), Andrés Emilio Pirela (aged 15), and Nicolas Calero (aged 12).In 2024 they competed onAmerica's Got Talent.
The following list names past Menudo members.Edgardo Díaz's group had a long list of members because the boys had to leave after turning a certain age, usually the age ranges from 15-18 years old when they depart (With the exception of Rene Farrait, Xavier Serbia, Ralphy Rodriguez, Angelo Garcia, Cesar Abreu, Edward Aguilera, Jonathan Montenegro, Ricky Lopez and Ashley Ruiz).
Comercial Thom McAn – (1981)