Menudo is a Puerto Rican boy band formed by producer Edgardo 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, including Billboard, Us Weekly, Seventeen, and Teen 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's Leyenda de Amor) and two feature films, An Adventure Called Menudo (Una aventura llamada Menudo) and Menudo: The Movie (Menudo: La Película), in three mini series entitled "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 named Panchito and Arturo (Panchito y Arturo).
Due to changes in puberty-related vocal range and timbre becoming permanent at around the age of 17, Menudo was distinctive in that members of the band were let go at that age, and younger vocalists took their place. In fact over the course of the band's history, it had run through more than fifty members, for this very reason. At any one time however, the Menudo band was usually, except for two isolated eras, composed of five male teenagers.
Menudo's original lineup consisted of five boys: brothers Fernando and Nefty Sallaberry (ages 12 and 13); the Melendez brothers, Carlos Meléndez, (age 12), Óscar Meléndez, (age 11), and Ricky Meléndez, (age 9); the latter three are Díaz'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 of the band in the mid-1980s.
Entering the 1990s, their popularity started to wane amid allegations of drug use. 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. 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 name El Reencuentro, and in 2019 for the "Súbete a Mi Moto" ("Get on My Motorcycle") Tour.
Menudo is estimated to have sold 20 million albums worldwide and has generated over 300 million US dollars.
Contents
History
Beginning and rise to fame
Menudo was formed in 1977 by music producer Edgardo Díaz. The original line up consisted of 5 members, the Sallaberry brothers, Fernando and Nefty, and Díaz's cousins, the Melendez brothers, Oscar, Carlos, and Ricky. They were signed to Padosa Records and released their first album Los Fantasmas in 1977. It featured "Teach Me to Sing" ("Enséñame a cantar"), a song by Spanish singer Micky. In 1978 they released another album called Laura. Fifteen-year-old Nefty was the very first member to leave and was replaced by 12-year-old René Farrait. In 1979, they released an album called Little Girl (Chiquitita). At the end of 1979, Carlos left the band at age 15 and was replaced by 12-year-old Johnny 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 of ABBA's "Do You Want" ("Voulez-Vous"). They filmed three music videos for the song "Little Girl" ("Chiquitita"), including one with Puerto Rican music star 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, and was released on their Xanadu album instead. Producciones Padosa translated the popularity of the group into Menudo en apuros (1981), a chronicle series.
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 "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 entitled I Want To Be
(Quiero Ser).
In the same year, the group hosted a television show on Telemundo entitled Menudo 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.
Internal conflicts and image change
In October 1986, Ralphy Rodriguez (13) entered the group to replace 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. Menudo's Summer in the Street U.S. tour introduced new member Rubén 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 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. 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) 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" (aka A Little 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, longtime member Ricky Martin (17) left the group to pursue a solo career. Rawy Torres (13) years old, replaced him and the formation Los Ultimos Heroes was born and they released the album Los Últimos Héroes. This formation was a success. They filmed a telenovela of the same name. Future member Jonathan Montenegro acted alongside them.
1990s
Despite their newfound success, the group kept facing problems: At age 13 during a concert in Caracas, Venezuela, Angelo García left the stage because of the pain of appendicitis; a new member was chosen by Sergio's mother and he was César 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, (although Sergio was still, officially, a member) 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.
On November 22, 1990, two members were arrested at Miami International Airport, Sergio Blass and Ruben Gomez, ages 18 and 16, after a sniffer dog found marijuana in 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) and Jonathan Montenegro (12) of Venezuela replaced Rubén 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 teens Alexis Grullón (13), Ashley Ruiz (15), and Andy Blázquez (12), and Pecos, Texas resident Abel Talamántez (12). 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.
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. They planned the reunion concert to take place at Centro de Bellas Artes in the San Juan suburb of Santurce, as an experimental project. They ended up doing the shows at the much larger Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, instead. 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 could not 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 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 Díaz 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: 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 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 America 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 Menudo: La Reunion 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 Sony Music. That would be directed by Johnny Wright, he was the manager of Justin Timberlake and the new band music was to 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 singer Luis Fonsi were part of the selection jury. where they were selected JC Gonzalez and 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 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 (Che Antonio), 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.
2015-2025
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 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 Dunkin' Donuts Center and 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 the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 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 heart attack in his childhood home in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico at 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.
In April 2025, NBC was sued in Federal Court for libel to the brand name Menudo. NBC Lawsuit Story on TMZ Menudo Promoter Sues NBC
2022 - 2025 rebirth and reboot
It was announced during 2022 that a new group of people, led by Mexican-American actor Mario 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 on Good Morning America. The band's members were 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 on America's Got Talent. Ezra Gilmore and Nicolas Calero have since quit the band. Gilmore and Calero were substituted by Janvier Flores and Zaulo Enchautegui.
Band members
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).
Discography
Los Fantasmas (1977)
Laura (1978)
Chiquitita (1979)
Felicidades! (1979)
Más, Mucho Más... (1980)
Es Navidad (1980)
Fuego (1980)
Xanadu (1981)
Quiero Ser (1981)
Por Amor (1982)
A Todo Rock (1983)
Reaching Out (1984)
Mania (1984)
Evolución (1984)
Menudo (1985)
Ayer Y Hoy (1985)
Viva! Bravo! (1986)
Refrescante... (1986)
Can't Get Enough (1986)
Somos Los Hijos del Rock (1987)
In Action (1987)
Sons of Rock (1988)
Sombras & Figuras (1988)
Los Últimos Héroes (1989)
Os Últimos Heróis (1990)
No Me Corten El Pelo (1990)
Detras de tu Mirada (1991)
Other works
Films and television
Unknown date 300 millones
1977 El Show de Tommy
1977 Menudo – En Concierto
1978 Noche de Gala
1979-mid 1980s La Gente Joven de Menudo
1981 Menudo: La Pelicula
1981 Quiero Ser (telenovela)
1980s Menudo Mania
1982 Es por Amor (Venezuelan Mini Soap Opera)
1982 Una Aventura Llamada Menudo
1983 Menudo on ABC
1983 Silver Spoons (TV Series)
1984 Sesame Street (TV Series)
1985 The Love Boat (TV Series)
1985 Solid Gold
1986 Menudo Video Explosion
1986 Por Siempre Amigos
1990 Los ultimos heroes (mini series)
1992 The Making of Dancin Movin Shakin on YouTube McGillis Records
2007 Making Menudo (TV Series)
2022 Menudo: Forever Young (Documentary Series)
Specials
1982 A Ritmo Menudo with Karla Maria
1983 Contigo Xavier with Karla Maria.
1986 King Holiday
1989 Nueva Navidad
1990 Optimismo
Commercials
Comercial Thom McAn – (1981)
Series and movies
1979 – Menudo – Leyenda De Amor (TV movie)
1981 – Menudo: La Pelicula
1982 – Una Aventura Llamada Menudo
1992 – The Making of Dancin Movin Shakin on YouTube
1987 – Novel Por Siempre Amigos
1990 – Serie Los Ultimos Heroes
2020 – Serie Subete a Mi Moto: 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.
2021 – Menudo: Forever Young (Documentary): In contrast to the “Súbete a Mi Moto” Series, launched in 2020, by the streaming platform, from Amazon Prime, which tells the story of the boy band from the perspective of Edgardo Díaz, the idea arose of producing a material that told the version of the Former members of Menudo. The documentary, Menudo: Forever Young, directed by Puerto Rican, Angel Miguel Soto, premiered in June 2022 on the platform by HBOMax and revealed alleged cases of bullying, drug scandals, exploitative working conditions, neglect of boys' health, abuse, physical violence, harassment, sexual abuse, and even a rape allegedly experienced by Ângelo Garcia (member from 1988 to 1990) while he participated in Menudo.
2023 – Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed: A 2023 Peacock documentary that explores the connection of the Menendez brothers' case with new allegations against their father, José Menendez. The documentary focuses on former Menudo member Roy Rosselló, who claims that José, then-executive of RCA, sexually assaulted him during his time in the band.
Tours
Hide Your Sheep Tour (1983)
Menudo in Concert Tour (1985)
Sons of Rock Tour (1988)
Nights on Fire Tour (1989)
Bandemonium Tour [with V Factory, NLT] (2008)
Súbete A Mi Moto World Tour (2019/2020/2021/2022/2023)