My Favorite Latin American Boy Band: Menudo

I love this Latin boy band not because my mom introduced me to her favorite band group of her glory teen years in the 80s but also because I just love their music both Spanish and English. For those of you who do not know that much or do not have any idea of who they are and if you are willing to read this hub article then you are headed for some interesting reading this Latin boy band that became a worldwide sensation among grownups and teen girls in the 80s. They are the foundation of what later would make famous other well known boy bands like New Kids on The Block, NSYNC, and The Backstreet Boys.

Menudo was founded by Puerto Rican producer Edgardo Díaz in the late 1970s. After the success he had with the management of the Spanish teen-group La Pandilla (1973–1976), Díaz returned to Puerto Rico to form a new group. As opposed to La Pandilla, his idea was to form an all-boys group where the members would rotate as they grew older, with the intention to keep the group young. A member would be replaced when he reached his 16th birthday, his voice changed, he grew facial hair, or grew too tall.

The first incarnation of the band included two groups of brothers: Díaz's cousins Ricky Meléndez, Carlos Meléndez, Óscar Meléndez, and Fernando Sallaberry and Nefty Sallaberry. The name of the group came after an incident during their second rehearsal, where Díaz's sister entered the driveway of the house they were at and, puzzled by finding five young boys dancing and singing in the garage, she loudly exclaimed: "¡Cuánto menudo hay aqui!" ("What a lot of young folk we have here!"). The phrase stuck, and the group was thus named Menudo.

In the next few years, Menudo toured Puerto Rico, performing at shopping malls, fiestas patronales (a citywide yearly celebration), and other events. In 1977, they released their first album, titled Los Fantasmas. The title track was a hit for the group, and they were able to get a regular TV show on Telemundo Canal 2 every Saturday night. After that, they followed with a second album titled Laura.

"Chiquitita, tell me why

today your pain chains you

In your eyes theres

theres a shadow of great sorrow.

I wouldn't want you to look like that

Even if you want to hide it

If you're so sad

Why would you want to keep it silent.

Chiquitia tell me

In my shoulder, right here crying

Count on me

To continue loving.

So safe I met you

And now your breaking

Let her cry

because I want to see her cured.

Chiquitita you already know well

that the sorrows come and go and disappear

Again you will dance and you will be happy

like the flowers that bloom.

Chiquitita there's no need to cry

The stars shine for you way at the top

I want to see you smile so we can share

your happiness chiquitita.

Chiquitia tell me

In my shoulder, right here crying

Count on me

To continue loving.

I wouldn't want you to look like that

Even if you want to hide it

If you're so sad

Why would you want to keep it silent.

Chiquitita you already know well

that the sorrows come and go and disappear

Again you will dance and you will be happy

like the flowers that bloom.

Chiquitita there's no need to cry

The stars shine for you way at the top

I want to see you smile so we can share

your happiness chiquitita.

Again I want to share

Your happiness, chiquitita.

Again I want to share

Your happiness, chiquitita."

During the late 70s, the group released several albums that were moderately successful, during which new members replaced the original ones. However, it was in 1981 that the album Quiero Ser launched the group into stardom. The line-up of the band at this time was René Farrait, Johnny Lozada, Xavier Serbiá, Miguel Cancel and Ricky Meléndez, the only remaining original member. The album included hit songs like "Quiero Ser", "Súbete A Mi Moto", "Rock En La TV", "Claridad", and "Mi Banda Toca Rock".

The group became very popular throughout Latin America, from Mexico to Argentina, including Brazil. During that time, Diaz was able to afford a Lockheed JetStar that had belonged to American President Richard Nixon and the Shah of Iran. The plane carried Menudo's name on both sides of the fuselage and made it the first boy band ever with its own private jet. The group also had a fan base in Spain and the rest of Europe.

In 1982, René Farrait was replaced by Charlie Massó and debuted with Menudo in the album Por Amor. During this boom of popularity, terms like "Menuditis" and "Menudomania" surfaced in the popular language. Their popularity was such, that they even starred in their own feature film called Una Aventura Llamada Menudo. The film starred Gladys Rodríguez as "Señora Mía", and included songs like "Clara" and "A Volar".

In early 1983 during their first visit to New York, Xavier Serbiá gave way to new member Ray Reyes. Their American fan base 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 the American Broadcasting Company'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 an interview made in 1998, he was unhappy that he was not able to sing his songs after a sudden voice change and opted to leave before his scheduled departure, thus being replaced by Roy Rosselló. Menudo signed a 6-year multi-million dollar contract with RCA International. During this year, they also released their Spanish album A Todo Rock.

In 1984, Johnny Lozada was replaced by Robi Rosa (now known as Robi "Draco" Rosa). With Robi, Menudo released their first English 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. Tours took place in the U.S. and Brazil during the first half of 1984.

In July 1984, Ricky Melendez, who was the only original member remaining, left the group in a huge concert held in his birth town, Caguas, Puerto Rico. He became the only Menudo member to last seven years in the group. He was replaced with who would become the group's most popular alumnus around the world, Ricky Martin. With Martin, Menudo recorded their next Spanish album Evolución. Their popularity even reached parts of Asia including Japan and the Philippines. Menudo also made English commercials for Pepsi, Scope, McDonald's and Crest during that time. They also did a guest appearance on the popular American children's program Sesame Street. To much the surprise of fans and Ray Reyes himself, he was the next to leave the group due to a growth spurt and voice change. In a 1998 interview, he stated he was caught off guard when Menudo was being interviewed in 1985 and the interviewer asked who was next to leave when Edgardo Díaz stated Ray was next considering that Charlie was the oldest at this point and was in the group the longest. Ray was replaced by Raymond Acevedo in 1985.

During that time, Menudo released their second English album titled 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 and their second Portuguese album A Festa Vai Comecar. Menudo held a successful tour in Brazil, performing in front of hundreds of thousands of fans. However, there were allegations that the tour was poorly organized. In a concert in Rio de Janeiro, the capacity was 60,000 but 70,000 tickets were sold. Two women died. In São Paulo, a 100,000 capacity stadium was sold-out with 200,000 people. In a stadium in Campinas, a city of São Paulo, it rained, and the concert, as a result, was delayed 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, Roy Rosselló was replaced by Sergio Blass. No farewell concerts were held. The group continued to release several albums during this year starting with their only Italian album titled Viva! Bravo! which they showcased in Italy in the San Remo Music Festival. The Spanish album Refrescante, the English album Can't Get Enough, and the Portuguese album Menudo were released respectively throughout this year followed by tours in the United States, Latin America including Brazil, and the Philippines.

" Today I saw you

behind the clear rain

of the gray afternoon

I saw you crying hiding

problems and a pain

that is not your age

Without knowing

your happiness got lost

like the night

and when you wake up

you will find a new day

that will bring happiness.

I want to be the friend

that goes your way

that doesn't matter the surprise

of destiny

day and night always

be by your side.

I want to be

that sun in which

the moon will shine

be the wind

that erases all of your worries

and live my dreams

with you

tell me yes.

Forget all the worries

that hides your smile

smile

Come to me

I want to see shine

your eyes that give light

to my life

I want to be the friend

that goes your way

that doesn't matter the surprise

of destiny

day and night always

be by your side.

I want to be

that sun in which

the moon will shine

be the wind

that erases all of your worries

and live my dreams

with you

I want to be the friend

that goes your way

that doesn't matter the surprise

of destiny

day and night always

be by your side.

I want to be

that sun in which

the moon will shine

be the wind

that erases all of your worries

and live my dreams

with you."

" Shoop shoop shoop shoop shoop, shoop ohhhhh
Shoop shoop shoop shoop shoop, shoop ohhhhh.

All together we are willing

Together we go to the sea

Everyone with their surfing boards

to beat the waves

Come dance by the sea

Come dance with me, yes

Come dance by the sea

Come dance with me, yes

Shoop shoop shoop shoop shoop, shoop ohhhhh

Going round and round

In the waves I will give

But it doesn't matter anymore

Well I was able to like you

Come dance by the sea

Come dance with me, yes

Come dance by the sea

Come dance with me, yes

This earth that is ours

That makes us vibrate

Sun, love and sea

Everything's happiness

Come dance by the sea

Come dance with me, yes

Come dance by the sea

Come dance with me, yes

Shoop shoop shoop shoop shoop, shoop ohhhhh
Shoop shoop shoop shoop shoop, shoop ohhhhh

Going round and round

In the waves I will give

But it doesn't matter anymore

Well I was able to like you

Come dance by the sea

Come dance with me, yes

Come dance by the sea

Come dance with me, yes

A garden without flowers

Almost makes me cry

A life without rythm

I can't take it much longer

Come dance by the sea

Come dance with me, yes

Come dance by the sea

Come dance with me, yes (Repeat)."

" I pass day and night

running for you

in my motorcycle I give a million turns

to your house, finding happiness

and I do a million tricks

to catch your attention.

And of the noise

the neighbors and your parents

they can't live no more.

Get on my Motorcycle,

you have never met

a love so quickly.

Get on my motorcycle,

she will put away

the secret of two,

of the two.

Always immaculate

I take from you

Tank full

if you decide to fly with me.

How much I have dreamed

To have you here with me

There is no more break

That will stop this love

that I feel for you.

Get on my Motorcycle,

you have never met

a love so quickly.

Get on my motorcycle,

she will put away

the secret of two,

of the two.

Get on my Motorcycle,

you have never met

a love so quickly.

Get on my motorcycle,

she will put away

the secret of two,

of the two."

" Come clarity

Come now,

wake up now

Clarity, for piety

Kill shadows,

Give me light,

radiance, liberty

So I don't have to dream this anymore,

No not anymore,

never more

that I go back to its slavery

Ahh, Ahh

that I go back to its slavery

Come clarity,

Stay

and don't continue to escape

Don't take the sun

That I don't want to remember

It's figure, its voice

Each night that passed

Like yesterday, like today

That I go back to its slavery.

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes

Come clarity, come now

Swallow the darkness

Come now, fly now

That dreaming is going to kill me

I'm tired of waiting!

Of the same form

Yes I need your light

That I go back to its slavery

Ahh, ahh

That I go back to its slavery

Coloring the sky blue

I feel a little bit better, better

Fills my window with light

It releases its love, its love

In the darkness and in the fear

comes to break the reason

She is only loneliness and silence

No more, come back clarity

Sun, clarity, long live light

The work, the city

Walk and live

Like right now, like I was

Clarity, stay

This night under me,

Clarity, fullness

That I forgot its slavery

Ahh, ahh

That I forgot its slavery

Come clarity, come now

Swallow the darkness

Come now, fly now

That dreaming

is going to kill me, i'm tired of waiting

Of the same form

Yes I need your light

That I go back to its slavery

Ahh, ahh

That I go back to its slavery

coloring the sky blue

I feel a little bit better, better

Fills my window with light

It releases its love, its love

In the darkness and in the fear

Comes to break the reason

She is only loneliness and silence

Nothing more, come back clarity

That I return to its slavery come, come, come

That I return to its slavery come, come, come

That I return to its slavery come, come, come

That I return to its slavery come, come, come."

" You were born because of love

and you grew like me

they took care of you like me

and because of love you're here

The men cries for love

if he told goodbye to love

Because of love you will understand

that love

is not loneliness

If I give you my hand come

you will be happy and me too

the moon will smile

everything for love

if God wants it to

for living, for laughing me and you

if I give you my hand come

You would be happy and me too

You would walk with me

and they can't contain

the richness and the power

but there's a better way

to die

and its for love

If I give you my hand come

you would be happy and me too

You will smile, and you will much better

Because of love

Because of love..."

" You and me

understand that love is not a

game of soccer because

no one here is ever going to win the game.

You and me

will find love I know

but we will not find it no

because I am like the wind and you are rain

Rain, rain iris you come and you go wetting my hairs

Rain rain iris you come and you go leaving me your memorie.

You and me

We'll find love and then

and in the calmness I know

when this strm passes and the sky clears.

You and me

we will live love like this

in the calmness that God brought us

in the arc of colors that traspasses the sky.

Rain, rain iris you come and you go wetting my hairs

Rain rain iris you come and you go leaving me your memorie.

Rain, rain iris you come and you go wetting my hairs

Rain rain iris you come and you go leaving me your memorie.

Rain, rain iris you come and you go wetting my hairs

Rain rain iris you come and you go leaving me your memorie."

" Sing, dance without stopping
Up, down freely.
Dream, laugh like me.
Jump, scream oh, oh.

The Therapy, psychological, more logical
For the neuronal system.
Among the many things's take
a loud scream when I want to scream.
And it is very good, healthy, relaxing, And sometimes it is artistic.
So dance, jump, shout, oh, oh ...

My Grandmother would tell me
Do not repress the urge to scream.
And do not hit, not master it, not moderate it,
Do not hold, you will feel very sick.
And let your mind relax

So dance, jump, shout, oh, oh ...

Do not hold back, do not repress yourself, do not repress yourself.
Do not hold back, do not repress yourself, you can dream.
Do not hold back, do not repress yourself, do not repress yourself.
Sing, dance, up, down, dream, laugh, jump like me.

Sing, dance without stopping
Up, down freely.
Dream, laugh like me.
Jump, scream oh, oh.

If you're tall, you're low, you're fat, you're skinny
Whatever it doesn't matter.
And love does not have meters nor
kilograms to weight.
Just a feeling you should never,
Never suppress.
So dance, jump, shout, oh, oh ...

Do not hold back, do not repress yourself, do not repress yourself.
Do not hold back, do not repress yourself, you can scream.
Do not hold back, do not repress yourself, do not repress yourself.
Do not hold back, do not repress yourself, you can dream.
Do not hold back, do not repress yourself, do not repress yourself.
Do not hold back, do not repress yourself, you Do not hold back, do not repress yourself, do not repress yourself.
Do not hold back, do not repress yourself, you can dream."

" I burn your skin like the ray of the sun

I paint your body with a beautiful color, bombon

Warm body at the edge of the sea

People pass and they want to look at you, bombon.

You taste like chocolate

You taste like chooclate, yes!

Kiss you, I kiss you, I want to kiss you

I don't know what is happening, I want to kiss you

Music, light and I want to kiss you, bombon

Close to you I only want to dance

I want an orchestra

to start playing, bombon

You taste like chocolate

You taste like chocolate, yes!

Kiss you, I kiss you, I want to kiss you.

Body of a women

in the afternoon

Do not let the music stop

Oh, oh, oh

Body of a women

in the afternoon,

Do not let the music stop

Do not let the music stop

Don't let the music stop, I want to dance.

Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Para, papa, parapaparapapa
Para, papa, parapaparapapa, bombón
Para, papa, parapaparapapa
Para, papa, parapaparapapa, bombón

You taste like chocolate

You taste like chocolate, yes!

Kiss you, I kiss you, I want to kiss you

I don't know what is happening, I want to kiss you

Music, light and I want to kiss you, bombon

Close to you I only want to dance

I want an orchestra

to start playing, bombon

You taste like chocolate

You taste like chocolate, yes!

Body of a women

in the afternoon

Do not let the music stop

Oh, oh, oh

Body of a women

in the afternoon,

Do not let the music stop

Do not let the music stop

Don't let the music stop, I want to dance!

Oh, oh, oh, oh."

In January 1987, Charlie was replaced by Ralphy Rodriguez. Then the group began facing some internal conflicts. First, Robi Rosa quit without warning in the middle of a Brazilian tour, becoming the second member to quit voluntarily. Apparently, he had written a song and presented the idea to management. They turned him down and supposedly mocked him, which prompted him to leave. They did this so that they could use Robi's song without compensating him. Robi's lawyer prevented them from using his song. Also, the group was dropped from RCA International due to low record sales. As a result, 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.

At this point, the group underwent a complete image makeover, changing their look to a more rough, rugged, rock-like look. This was also applied to their music which had been described before as bubble-gum pop. They released the Spanish album Somos Los Hijos del Rock, followed by an English-Tagalog album for the Philippines titled In Action with Ralphy and Rubén. In late 1987, Ralphy was pulled from the group by his parents citing improper treatment by management. This eventually came to the light in 1991 when the Menudo sex scandal broke. Again, Charlie was asked to fill in for the Philippines tour which would be the last for Menudo as their popularity there waned.

In early 1988, new member Angelo García joined Menudo replacing Ralphy Rodríguez. Their final English album titled Sons of Rock, was released scoring an international hit "You Got Potential" as well as featuring "TLC" with lead vocals by Ricky Martin. In August 1988, Raymond Acevedo's contract was about to be over, but decided to leave before auditions were held for his replacement. As a result, Menudo performed as a quartet for a few months. Raymond was replaced by Robert Avellanet and the album Sombras Y Figuras was released at the end of the year.

In July 1989, after five years with the group, Ricky Martin left and was replaced by Rawy Torres. Ricky Martin's last concert with Menudo was in the Luis A. Ferré Performing Arts Center in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The group released the album Los Últimos Héroes. This production reestablished Menudo's popularity in Latin America, especially in Venezuela, where a five-part miniseries was shot to promote the album.

Despite their newfound success, the group kept facing problems when member Angelo García left the group, breaking his contract with Menudo. García was replaced by César Abreu, however he only lasted seven months. Before Abreu left the group, management was preparing for Sergio's departure and was going to be replaced by their first non-Puerto Rican member, Adrián Olivares of Mexico. However, Abreu left, only delaying Sergio's departure. Management decided to keep Sergio for another Spanish album No Me Corten El Pelo and was released with Sergio, Rubén, Robert, Rawy and Adrián.

Edgardo Díaz left Puerto Rico and held auditions in Miami, Florida, signing Miami teens Alexis Grullón, Ashley Ruiz, and Andrés Blázquez, and Pecos, Texas resident Abel Talamántez. The first album with the new line-up was Detrás De Tu Mirada, which was very successful in the whole continent, especially in Peru. Peruvian fan base became the most important one for the group from then on.

Menudo continued to work, releasing an English single titled Dancin', Movin', Shakin', and a follow-up in 1993, titled Cosmopolitan Girl, which would be the first of several English albums on McGillis Records. They also continued to travel through Latin America.

In 1992, they released 15 Años, which would be Adrián's last album with the band (he decided to leave in 1993). Ricky López replaced Adrián and the group released their 5th Portuguese album Vem Pra Mim (1993), and their 22nd Spanish album, Imagínate... (1994).

In 1995, Ricky López quit the group without warning, and the band performed with four members for a few months. Ashley had also decided to leave the group, so auditions were held and Didier Hernández and Anthony Galindo were chosen. Ashley's farewell concert was in Panama, where new members were presented.

After several albums released, in 1996, the group released their last Spanish album under the name of Menudo, entitled Tiempo De Amar. 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 left and 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.

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 started at Centro de Bellas Artes in San Juan, PR, as an experimental project and they had an unexpected success. They continued until 2000 through North and Latin America. They named this "El Reencuentro" since the group could not use the name Menudo because Edgardo Díaz threatened to take legal action if they did.