Ricky Meléndez
Encyclopedia
Ricky Meléndez is a Puerto Rica
n singer. He was raised in Guaynabo. He became a member of Menudo
at the age of eight. He was one of the original five in the group. He is the cousin of group founder Edgardo Diaz
.
Meléndez retired from Menudo in 1984 at the mandatory age of 16, but since he had started at age eight, he became the member of Menudo who was in the group the longest time, eight years. He gave up his place to Ricky Martin
. His final concert with Menudo was in Caguas.
Once Meléndez left Menudo, he tried various business ventures, including a shop at Plaza Las Americas
in San Juan
, and became a lawyer. In 1998, he got together with former bandmates Rene Farrait
, Johnny Lozada, Ray Reyes
, Charlie Masso
and Miguel Cancel
to make a comeback tour under the name of El Reencuentro
. They toured the world.
Meléndez was the voice responsible for Menudo super hits "Y Yo No Bailo" and "Cambiale Las Pilas".
Meléndez now lives in San Juan with his wife and children and practices corporate and real estate law at Pietrantoni Mendez & Alvarez LLP.
Meléndez also attended the University of Central Florida where he took several broadcasting classes.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
n singer. He was raised in Guaynabo. He became a member of Menudo
Menudo (band)
Menudo was a Puerto Rican boy band that was formed in the 1970s by producer Edgardo Díaz, 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....
at the age of eight. He was one of the original five in the group. He is the cousin of group founder Edgardo Diaz
Edgardo Díaz
Edgardo Díaz born in Panama City, Panama, is the creator of the "boy band" Menudo. The son of Puerto Ricans, Díaz grew up in Caguas, Puerto Rico....
.
Meléndez retired from Menudo in 1984 at the mandatory age of 16, but since he had started at age eight, he became the member of Menudo who was in the group the longest time, eight years. He gave up his place to Ricky Martin
Ricky Martin
Enrique "Ricky" Martín Morales , better known as Ricky Martin, is a Puerto Rican and Spanish pop singer and actor who achieved prominence, first as a member of the Latin boy band Menudo, then as a solo artist since 1991.During his career he has sold more than 60 million album copies worldwide...
. His final concert with Menudo was in Caguas.
Once Meléndez left Menudo, he tried various business ventures, including a shop at Plaza Las Americas
Plaza Las Américas
Plaza Las Américas is a shopping mall in Hato Rey, San Juan, Puerto Rico, located at the intersection of Routes 18 and 22. It is near the Roberto Clemente Coliseum, the Hiram Bithorn Stadium, and the WKAQ-TV's studios. "Plaza", as it is known to many Puerto Ricans, was the first indoor mall built...
in San Juan
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
, and became a lawyer. In 1998, he got together with former bandmates Rene Farrait
Rene Farrait
Rene Farrait is a former member of the teen band Menudo. He was a member during the band's most successful period.Rene's trademark song was the hit Subete a mi Moto...
, Johnny Lozada, Ray Reyes
Ray Reyes
Ray Reyes is a Puerto Rican who was born in New York City and was raised in Levittown, Puerto Rico. His father, Rey Reyes, Sr., ran several successful business ventures. He became a member of Menudo in early 1983. Reyes came to substitute Xavier Serbia on the band, and joined the band right in the...
, Charlie Masso
Charlie Masso
Carlos Javier Rivera Masso is a former member of Menudo who joined the band at the height of Menudo's world wide fame. He replaced Rene Farrait and quickly became a fan favorite with his participation on the albums of Es Por Amor and Vamos A Volar, which was the soundtrack of Charlie's first...
and Miguel Cancel
Miguel Cancel
Miguel Ángel Cancel Vázquez is a former member of Menudo.-Menudo:A native of Chicago, Cancel joined Menudo in 1981, replacing Oscar Meléndez. His persona in the group was as the good guy. He became an instant hit among Menudo fans because of his charisma and vocal ability.Cancel was a member...
to make a comeback tour under the name of El Reencuentro
El Reencuentro
El Reencuentro was the name that six ex-members of famous group Menudo used for their comeback concert remembering Menudo's Golden Era. Ricky Melendez, Rene Farrait, Miguel Cancel, Johnny Lozada, Ray Reyes and Charlie Masso re-joined to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of their success in Latin...
. They toured the world.
Meléndez was the voice responsible for Menudo super hits "Y Yo No Bailo" and "Cambiale Las Pilas".
Meléndez now lives in San Juan with his wife and children and practices corporate and real estate law at Pietrantoni Mendez & Alvarez LLP.
Meléndez also attended the University of Central Florida where he took several broadcasting classes.