Menudo (group)
Menudo is a Puerto Rican boy band which was formed in 1977 by producer Edgardo Díaz. Menudo was one of the biggest Latin boy bands in history, releasing their first album in 1977. The band achieved much success, especially during the 1980s, becoming the most popular Latin American teen musical group of the era and selling some 20 million records worldwide. Referred to as the "Most Iconic Latino Pop Music Band", Menudo has been ranked as one of the Biggest Boy Bands of All Time by several publications, including "Us Weekly", "Seventeen", and "Teen Vogue", being the only  Latin band on their lists. They also had several radio hits during its course. Their success led them to also release one television film (1979's "Leyenda de Amor") and two feature films: "Una aventura llamada Menudo" and "" as well as to act in a telenovela named "Quiero Ser" and a television mini-series named "Panchito y Arturo". Menudo's original line-up consisted of two sets of brothers: Fernando and Nefty Sallaberry (12 and 13), from Ponce, Puerto Rico (Fernando was born in Spain); and the Melendez brothers, Carlos Meléndez, (12), Óscar Meléndez, (11), and Ricky Meléndez, (9); the  latter three are Diaz's cousins. The band's golden-era lineup consisted of members Ricky Meléndez, Johnny Lozada, René Farrait, Miguel Cancel, Xavier Serbiá, Charlie Masso and Ray Reyes. It was also a starting point for popular international stars like Ricky Martin (1984–89) and Draco Rosa (1984–87), who were members around the mid-1980s during their youth. As the group entered the 90s, their popularity started to wane as record sales started to decrease. In addition, allegations of drug use and sexual abuse accusations against Díaz started to surface, which also contributed to the decline. In 1997, the rights and  the name Menudo were sold. The remaining members continued to perform as MDO until their official disbandment in 2002. However, this iteration has continued to perform sporadically since. Meanwhile, new management of Menudo formed a new line-up in 2007, with new members releasing an EP. However, this iteration also disbanded in 2009. On the other hand, some of the members of the "golden era" of the band reunited in 1998 under the name El Reencuentro. This iteration, which included Meléndez, Lozada, Farrait, Cancel, Massó, and Reyes, performed continuously for 15 years, disbanding in 2009. In 2019 Meléndez, Lozada, Farrait , Cancel and Reyes, came back for the "Súbete a Mi Moto Tour". History. The beginning and rise to fame. Menudo was formed in 1977 by Edgardo Díaz. His dream was to make a group similar to The Jackson 5. The original line up consisted of 5 members, the Sallaberry brothers, Fernando and Nefty, and the Melendez brothers, Oscar, Carlos, and Ricky. They were signed to Padosa Records and released their very first album, Los Fantasmas. It featured Enséñame a cantar, a song by Spanish singer Micky. Then in 1978 they released another album called Laura, which was not popular. 15  year old Nefty was the very first member to leave and was replaced by 12 year old René Farrait. They released an album that took them one step closer to international fame, Chiquitita (album), It was time then for Carlos, 15 to also leave, so at the end of 1979, Johnny Lozada, 12 joined the group and made their first Christmas album, Felicidades. In the early 1980s, Menudo had several local hits in Puerto Rico, including their first major hit, "Los Fantasmas", and a cover version of ABBA's "Voulez-Vous" and "Chiquitita", the latter of which they filmed three  music videos for, including one with music legend Ednita Nazario (who sang with them and played the titular "Chiquitita" on the video). The group then released several moderately successful albums, including "Fuego" ("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 of KISS's '"I Was Made For Lovin' You", but that song was not included in "Fuego", being released on their "Xanadu" album instead. During 1981, the group, which by then consisted of René Farrait , 14, Johnny Lozada, 13, Xavier Serbiá, 13, Miguel Cancel, 13, and remaining original member Ricky Melendez, 13, released "Quiero Ser" ("I Want to Be"). The album would launch Menudo into international stardom. It included hit songs such as "Quiero Ser" ("I Want to Be"), "Súbete A Mi Moto" ("Get on My Motorcycle"), "Rock En La TV" ("Rock on TV"), "Claridad" ("Clarity"), and "Mi Banda Toca Rock" ("My Band Plays Rock"). They also had their own telenovela series entitled "Quiero Ser". That same year, the group hosted a television show on Telemundo Puerto Rico entitled "Gente Joven de Menudo". They also  hosted a yearly beauty pageant, La chica joven de Menudo, ("Menudo's young girl"). The winner of the pageant would sometimes appear in the group's videos or join them onstage at their concerts in Puerto Rico. Menudo became very popular throughout Latin America, from Mexico to Argentina, including Brazil. They also became the first boy band to own their own private jet. Manager Diaz purchased a Lockheed JetStar that had belonged to American President Richard Nixon and the Shah of Iran. He had Menudo's name emblazoned on both sides of the fuselage. In 1982, Charlie Masso, then 12 , replaced René Farrait, 15. Masso's first album with Menudo was "Por Amor" ("For Love"). During this boom of popularity, fans started calling themselves contagious to the "Menuditis", similar to Beatlemania and Bieber Fever, or the "Menudomania". They were so popular that they starred in their own feature films: "" and "Una Aventura Llamada Menudo". "Aventura" starred Gladys Rodríguez as "Señora Mía" and included songs such as "Clara" and "A Volar" ("Fly"). During their first visit to New York in early 1983, Ray Reyes, 13, replaced Xavier Serbiá, 15. Their American fanbase grew, especially among the young, as evidenced by "Menudo  on ABC", a series of four minute music spots that aired during the Fall 1983 season of ABC's youth-oriented Saturday-morning programming block. They also sang the theme song for ABC's "Rubik, the Amazing Cube". Miguel Cancel became 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 by Roy Rosselló, 13. Menudo signed a six-year multimillion-dollar contract with RCA International and released their Spanish  album "A Todo Rock" ("Full of Rock"). Around this time, Menudo merchandise began being 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 as Draco Rosa), 14, replaced Johnny 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 the Hollywood movie "Cannonball 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 movie "Bagets 2" and also featured the song "Fly Away". On September 16, 1984, Ricky Melendez, 16, the sole remaining original member, left the group in a huge concert in Menudo's base town, Caguas, Puerto Rico. Up until then, he was the only Menudo member to remain with the group for seven years. He was replaced by the group's most popular  alumnus, Ricky Martin, then 12, who debuted on the album, "Evolución "("Evolution"). During this time, Menudo's popularity reached parts of Asia including Japan and the Philippines, and the group made English-language commercials for Pepsi, Scope, McDonald's, and Crest. They also made a guest appearance on the popular American children's program "Sesame Street". Then, much to the surprise of fans and himself, Ray Reyes, 15, was the next to leave the group due to a growth spurt. In a 1998 interview, Reyes stated he was caught off-guard, during a Menudo interview in 1985, the interviewer asked  who was next to leave the group and Edgardo Díaz named Ray, considering that Charlie was the oldest and had been in the group the longest. 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, "Menudo" which 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 album "A Festa Vai Comecar (The Party Is Going To Start)". They successfully toured Brazil, performing before hundreds of thousands of fans, but there were allegations of the tour being poorly organized: the capacity for a concert in Rio de Janeiro was 60,000 but 70,000 tickets were sold, and 2 women died. In São Paulo, a 100,000 -capacity stadium was sold-out with 200,000 people, and in the São Paulo city of Campinas, rain delayed a concert for 4 hours. The film "Mixed Blood" featured scenes in which Menudo was indirectly showcased, such as one with a Menudo poster on a wall and one where characters shopped at a "Menudomania" store. In 1986, the song King Holiday was recorded. Later in the year Roy Rosselló 16 was replaced by Sergio Blass 13; no farewell concerts were held. The group released several albums that year, starting with their only Italian album, "Viva! Bravo!", which they showcased in Italy  in the San Remo Music Festival. The Spanish album "Refrescante (Refreshing)", the English album "Can't Get Enough", and the Portuguese album "Menudo" followed respectively, then came tours of the U.S., Latin America (including Brazil), and the Philippines. Internal conflicts and image change. 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 middle 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. Robbie'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 member Rubén Gómez 14. At this point, the group underwent a complete image makeover, changing their look to a rougher, more rugged, rock-like look. Their music, formerly described as bubblegum-pop, underwent a similar change. They  released the Spanish album "Somos Los Hijos del Rock (We Are The Sons Of Rock)", followed by an English-Tagalog album for the Philippines titled "In Action" with 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 12 replaced Ralphy 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 by Ricky 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 before Robert Avellanet 13 took over. The album Sombras Y Figuras was released at the end of the year. During 1989, long time member Ricky Martin, 17 left the group to pursue a solo career. Rawy Torres, 13 replaced him and the group released Los Ultimos Heroes 1990s . Despite their newfound success, the group kept facing problems: At age 14 during a concert in Caracas, Venezuela, Angelo García left the stage because of the pain of appendicitis; he was replaced by César Abreu, 13, who only lasted 7 months. They released another Portuguese album, Os Tltimos Herois. Before Abreu left, management was preparing for Sergio's departure and the debut of the first non-Puerto Rican member, Adrián Olivares 13 of Mexico, but Abreu's exit delayed Sergio's departure. Management decided to keep Sergio for another Spanish album, "No Me Corten El Pelo" (Don't Cut My  Hair) featuring the Sergio/Rubén/Robert/Rawy/Adrián lineup. Members of the last generation of Menudo, were arrested at Miami International Airport, Sergio Blass and Ruben Gomez, ages 18 and 16, after a dog sniffing found marijuana in its pocket. It would have been acquired in Mexico while touring with Menudo. In 1990, two new non-Puerto Rican members joined the group: Edward Aguilera,12, of Spain replaced Sergio Blass, 17, (thus becoming the second European-after Fernando Salaberry-to be a member of the band) and Jonathan Montenegro 12 of Venezuela replaced Rubén Gómez 16. Both members left a few  months later. Edgardo Díaz left Puerto Rico and held auditions in Miami, Florida, signing Miami teens Alexis Grullón 13, Ashley Ruiz 15, and Andy Blázquez 12, and Pecos, Texas resident Abel Talamántez 13. The first album with the new lineup was "Detrás De Tu Mirada", which was very successful in the whole continent, especially in Peru. 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", the first of several English albums on McGillis Records. They also continued to  travel through Latin America. In March 1992, Menudo filmed in New York City "The Making of Dancin, Movin, Shakin" for Darrin McGillis Productions. In August 2012, the film was released for free viewing on YouTube. In 1992, they released "15 Años (15 Years)", which would be Adrián's last album with the band (he decided to leave in 1993). Ricky López 13 replaced Adrián 16 and the group released their 5th Portuguese album "Vem Pra Mim (Come To Me)" (1993), and their 22nd Spanish album, "Imaginate... (Imagine)" (1994). 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 and Didier Hernández 16 and Anthony Galindo 1979-2020 were chosen. Ashley's farewell concert was in Panama, 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. In 1997, the rights and the name Menudo were sold and the band changed the name to MDO, at the time Andy Blázquez 18 was replaced by  Daniel René Weider. A self-titled Spanish album was released, increasing the group's popularity in Latin America and the U.S. MDO has continued to release albums despite some changes in management (see main article: MDO.) El Reencuentro. 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 in the world. They planned the reunion concert to take place at Centro de Bellas Artes de Santurce in San Juan, as an experimental project. The show  sold out so quickly and the demands for more shows was so huge they had to change the venue for a bigger one. They ended up doing the shows at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum. 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 this El Reencuentro because they couldn't use the "Menudo" name. 2000s. In 2000, MDO released their album "Subir Al Cielo" with critical success. The album lead track "Te Quise Olvidar" topped the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks for  several weeks. The group follow-up singles "Sin Ti" and "Me Huele A Soledad" also went top 10 in the U.S., showing that they are a real group. 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 Diaz introduced the new MDO in January 2005. In 2004, Edgardo Diaz announced 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 them Tick Tock. Also in 2004, former Menudo members Roy, Raymond, Rubén, Sergio and Andy reunited under the name and banner: "". 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 show "Objetivo Fama". This latest incarnation of the group achieved great success with their single "Otra Vez" which took them all across Latin 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 banner "El Reencuentro: Momento del Adios" making this their farewell tour. There were plans to bring this production to Latin American and the U.S. Also in 2005, Sergio , Angelo, Robert, Rawy and Adrián reunited again under the name "Los Últimos Héroes" after their successful reunion concerts in 2002. In 2006, former "" members, Anthony and Rubén reunited and formed the duo "Blacksheep" and continued touring in Brazil. The duo grew a large fan base in both Brazil and Hispanic America. In 2007, a re-release of the 1992 VHS film of Menudo The making of Dancin', Movin', Shakin'" was released on McGillis Records. Entitled "Triple Threat DVD/CD Combo", the box set included the Film on DVD for the first time, along with two music CDs, "Latin Teen Stars  and Dance 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. 2007–2009 lineup. In 2007, it was announced that Menudo would return after signing a multi-album contract with SonyBMG label Epic Records. That would be directed by Johnny Wright, he was the manager of Justin Timberlake and 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, Mexico and Puerto Rico  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 the Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi were part of the selection jury. where they were selected JC Gonzalez and Monti Montañez. In New York, they took 25 boys and during this one-week mini-competency they chose 15: Monti Montañez, JC Gonzalez, Carlos Pena, Jr., Anthony, Carlos Olivero, Chris Moy, Dennis, Eric, Hansel, Henry, Jorge Gabriel, Jorge Negron , José Bordonada, Monti Montañez, Thomas and Trevor. The 15 semifinalists met in South Beach, Florida to continue preparing with producer Johnny 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 a MTV reality series entitled "Making Menudo" that 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, and Carlos Olivero. In December, a few weeks after the members of the group were chosen, their "More Than Words" EP 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. 2015-present. After having internal band problems, El Reencuentro disbanded in 2015 with Charlie Massó threatening to take legal action with Johnny Lozada, who at the time had the financial and managerial control of the project. During 2016, four members of El Reencuentro René Farrait, Charlie Massó, Ray Reyes, Miguel Cancel and joined by Robert Avellanet went 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  Montenegro and Rawy 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 the Coliseo de Puerto Rico and included dates in United States and México. It was later informed that Robert Avellanet was replacing Miguel Cancel for the remainder of the tour that is on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On September 2020, former Menudo and MDO member Anthony Galindo was 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 in Levittown, Puerto Rico. He was 51 years old. The group will finish its last leg of the "Súbete A Mi Moto Tour" with members Ricky Meléndez, René Farrait, Johnny Lozada and Miguel Cancel. Band members. The following lists 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 16 years old. Discography. Commercials. Comercial Thom McAn - (1981) Adaptations. After years of planning and development, on September 17, 2020 it was announced that a TV series about the group titled "Súbete A Mi Moto" was set to premier on Amazon Prime Video. The series was released on October 9, 2020. The series focused the story from the perspective of Edgardo Díaz, founder and manager of the group.