| Formed around a cast of lovable teenage Puerto Ricans (each of whom were forced out once they reached the age of 16), Menudo was the first Latin group to gain success around the world. The initial lineup formed in 1977 around brothers Carlos, Oscar and Ricky Melendez plus Nefty and Fernando Sallaberry, but the first replacements were installed before the end of the 1970s. Menudo made a medium-sized splash in America during the mid-'80s -- though all of the original members had long since passed -- with the 1984 LP Reaching Out, which included English-language versions of their biggest hits.
Though Menudo's brand of disposable synthesizer-pop dated and faded quickly in America, the group continued to rule much of Central and South America, and ousted member Ricky Martin made a successful solo career. By the late '90s, there were over thirty ex-members of Menudo, and the then-current version of the group -- known as MDO and including Alexis Grullon, Abel Talamántez, Didier Hernández, Anthony Galindo and Daniel Weider -- included no native Puerto Ricans and none under the age of 16. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide |
