During Ricky Martin’s last few months with Menudo, he performed with Ruben Gomez, Sergio Gonzalez, Robert Avellanet, and Angelo Garcia. Photo by Bolivar Arellano
Menudo began 1989 just as they had celebrated prior years, with their traditional Three Kings Day concert in Puerto Rico on January 6.
Although Ruben Gomez couldn’t take part in the concert due to recovering from a nose tumor operation, Ricky Martin, Sergio (Gonzalez) Blass, Angelo Garcia, and Robert Avellanet continued the annual tradition. Once Ruben recovered, the group began touring and performing in places such as Mexico and Venezuela. It was during this time that Menudomania struck once again in Venezuela. Their fans in the country couldn’t get enough of them. So much so that special-edition fan magazines were published dedicated to the group and each member.
That’s me, Rita, interviewing Ricky in 1989 at a fan party in Connecticut.
However, fans soon had to face the inevitable — the next Menudo to leave would be Ricky. At the beginning of July, Ricky’s farewell concerts were held at Puerto Rico’s Bellas Artes, and his replacement, Rawy Torres, was announced. Midway through the show, Ricky sat alone on stage, reflecting on his time with the group. He had spent five years in Menudo, traveling the world and experiencing events that most young people his age only dreamt about. Ricky traveled to the continents of North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. He had recorded in Spanish, English, Portuguese, and Italian, and on occasions, the group even sang a couple of songs in Japanese and Tagalog. His five years in Menudo were well spent, traveling, singing, acting, and representing the youth of Puerto Rico and the 1980s.
After leaving the group, Ricky enjoyed some well-deserved time at home in Puerto Rico, catching up on everyday life and spending quality moments with family and friends.
Of course, Ricky never forgot his fans. In August of 1989, he traveled to Connecticut and Illinois to attend fun-filled parties with his admirers. In Connecticut, he had a blast swimming, playing on the swings, and hopping on the kiddie roller coaster with fans at a country club. In Illinois, he mingled, danced, and even judged a playful contest where fans sang his Menudo songs.
Ricky’s time in Menudo set the stage for a bright future he was only beginning to imagine. Years later, in a June 1999 Interview magazine feature with Gloria Estefan, he shared, “That band definitely helped me to keep my feet on the ground in this business. You have to be in touch with yourself, because you can go crazy if you’re not.”
Editor’s Note: In the late 1990s, my friends and I created a newsletter called Ricky’s Fan Central. The publication was dedicated to fans like us who were no longer teens and interested in the latest news and photos of Ricky Martin. We also added updates on former members of Menudo. One feature I loved was a section where I wrote articles about Ricky’s time in Menudo and the early days of his career. I decided to take those flashback articles, edit them and add anything new I’ve learned over the years. In this post, we take a look at the year 1988. Click on the year to read past articles about 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, and 1988.
From left to right, now (above) and then (below), Ruben, Sergio, Ralphy, and Raymond. Photo from Evolution USA Fan Club
If you live in or near Orlando, Florida, and once loved the boy band Menudo, then you’re in luck on Sunday, April 26th.
Just in case you haven’t heard yet, former Menudo members Raymond Acevedo, Sergio Blass, Ruben Gomez, and Ralphy Rodriguez have formed a new group called EvoluXion, and they’ll be performing in Orlando at The Abbey on April 26th, starting at 7 p.m. The guys have been creating original music and performing Menudo classics, not only songs from their own era, such as “Nina luna” and “Cuando seras grande,” but also the boy band’s iconic numbers, including “Hold Me” and “Amor primero.”
Orlando fans will be the first ones in the states to get the opportunity to see EvoluXion perform a full-length show live. If you haven’t had the chance to go down memory lane yet with your favorite boy band, seize the opportunity.
I haven’t had the chance to see EvoluXion perform yet since I live in New York; however, earlier this year, I attended a meet-and-greet featuring Ruben. He treated everyone to an intimate performance and sang Menudo classics. A week earlier, I interviewed him, and he said he planned to sing nostalgic songs for the NYC event because he knew that’s what fans want to hear.
“I just noticed the instant change in an audience, and we live for it as a performer — you live for the audience’s reaction,” he said. “And, the difference between a fan listening to me sing, for example, a Stone Temple Pilot song — they’re enjoying it, they’re watching, and they’re listening, but when something that’s nostalgic to them hits them, I could literally feel like I had done a shot of tequila. That warmth that you get when you take a shot, and it just radiates through your body. I could feel that energy.”
Ruben was right. Along with my friends, I was dancing and singing, and for a few hours, the stresses of our lives and the world melted away. Now, Orlando fans get to experience that with Ruben plus Ralphy, Sergio, and Raymond on April 26th.
If I didn’t have so much going on right now, I know I would be there right by your side. Don’t miss out on taking a trip back in time. Tickets for the show, as well as a meet-and-greet add-on, are available at: abbeyorlando.com/event/evoluxion-band/
If you attend, let me know what you think. Even though I already know you’re going to have a fabulous time.
The Abbey is located at 100 S. Eola Dr Unit 100, Orlando, FL.
Ruben performs in New York City on February 7th. Photo by Jill Herman
Ruben Gomez knows how to keep a promise.
The former Menudo member told me in an interview earlier this month that he would deliver a night of nostalgia for fans at a private event on Saturday, February 7th. As an attendee, I can attest that he did just that.
In a small get-together held in midtown Manhattan, Ruben took the stage for nearly an hour singing Menudo hits such as “Nina luna,” “Dulces dieciseis,” “Summer in the Streets,” “If You’re Not Here,” and more.
While the singer has been recently concentrating on his Rockfest — a show where he performs classic rock songs — he said he realized that, for his longtime fans, going back to his roots is what they enjoy most.
“I just notice the instant change in an audience, and we live for it as a performer — you live for the audience’s reaction,” he said. “And, the difference between a fan listening to me sing, for example, a Stone Temple Pilot song — they’re enjoying it, they’re watching, and they’re listening, but when something that’s nostalgic to them hits them, I could literally feel like I had done a shot of tequila. That warmth that you get when you take a shot, and it just radiates through your body. I could feel that energy, and that’s what I decided to do for this show. This is what I want to bring to my close fans. I hope they enjoy it. There’s going to be a lot of songs that I haven’t sung in many, many years.”
Ruben performing in New York City on February 7th, 2026. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Ruben obviously knows his fans. Those in attendance were singing along, dancing, and during “If You’re Not Here,” some got a bit misty-eyed.
In addition to iconic Menudo songs, Ruben also performed “I Can Lose Myself in You,” a song written by Glenn Medeiros of “Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love for You” fame. Ruben recorded “I Can Lose Myself in You” for his English album, released in the Philippines in 1998. He also paid tribute to Draco (Robby) Rosa with Draco’s song “Sunshine,” the English version of “Me importa.” Ruben said it’s one of his favorite songs by his fellow former Menudo member, whom he replaced in the group.
“It is such a beautiful song, and I wanted to honor Robby by singing it, and maybe bring some awareness to some of the fans there that haven’t heard it.”
After his performance on February 7th, everyone enjoyed pizza from Ruben’s favorite pizza place, Little Italy Pizza, along with wine, soda, water, and his signature drink for the evening, which included Malibu Black and pineapple juice. The singer took time out to mingle with fans who had braved the bitter cold and traveled from all over New York and New Jersey, as well as from Miami and Puerto Rico. The intimate gathering gave everyone a chance to talk with one of their favorite singers, take photos, and get autographs.
Ruben with fans at the private get together on February 7th, 2026. Photo from Tracy Ortiz
Marcy Sheehan, from upstate New York, met Ruben for the first time and said that “he put in the effort to make sure I felt included and appreciated.”
“Meeting Ruben was amazing,” Marcy added. “He is, by far, one of the most genuinely kind people I have ever met. I was impressed with his ability to draw each person into conversation.”
The fans weren’t the only ones who had an enjoyable evening. After the event, Ruben said he had a “wonderful time.”
“It was an emotional experience to be able to sing all these nostalgic songs that mean so much to me, and to be able to share that with some of my closest fans and friends makes it even more special.”
A Weekend Full of Fun
Saturday wasn’t the end of the weekend fun. The next day, Sunday, February 8th, a few fans participated in exclusive events with Ruben. The day started with brunch at the Sugar Factory, known for its over-the-top desserts, and then RiseNY in Times Square, where Ruben and fans enjoyed the immersive attraction, showcasing New York City’s culture, history, and landmarks. Later in the evening, the group enjoyed dinner and beautiful views at the Bow Tie Lounge located in the Renaissance Hotel in Times Square.
Ruben at RiseNY on February 8th. Photo by Tracy Ortiz
Tracy Ortiz from Rockin’ with Ruben NYC, who organized the events, said she was honored and grateful to be a part of the weekend, which she described as “truly unforgettable.”
“The energy, the love from the fans, and the whole NYC vibe made it incredible,” she said. “Back in NYC performing after so many years, Ruben was so happy and the fans even happier. It was a weekend filled with love for Ruben and unforgettable moments.”
Future Events
While Ruben promises more special events in New York City in the future, he’s currently preparing for his Rockfest in Mexico on March 28th. On April 26th, he’ll join his bandmates from EvoluXion (former Menudo members Ralphy Rodriguez, Sergio Blass, and Raymond Acevedo) to perform at The Abbey in Orlando, Florida.
Ruben and fans at RiseNY on February 8th. P hoto from Tracy Ortiz
For more information on the March event in Mexico, follow Ruben Gomez Fan Club Oficial Monterrey-Mexico on Facebook. To purchase tickets for EvoluXion’s Orlando concert, visit click-event.com..
To keep up to date on all the news on Ruben’s career, search for Ruben Gomez on Facebook and officiallyrubengomez on Instagram. Follow Evoluxionbandofficial on Instagram and EvoluXion Band on Facebook to discover all the latest on EvoluXion.
A former member of the boy band Menudo and member of EvoluXion is inviting fans to experience the city that never sleeps with him on February 7th and 8th.
Photo from Ruben Rockfest NYC
The Main Event
Ruben Gomez, a New York City native, welcomes fans to his hometown for an exclusive meet-and-greet and performance on Saturday, February 7th, at 4 p.m. Nonrefundable tickets are available for $200 each, and ticketholders will be notified of the venue, located near Penn Station, after purchasing. (See below for contact info and additional activities to be held the next day.)
Ruben is excited about spending time with his fans in New York City, which he describes as “the world in one city.”
“New York is my hometown,” the singer said. “New York is the world to me. It’s my world, and there’s something about the city of New York that just feels so unique in itself, especially in the United States, because it’s really the only place where you actually pound the pavement. You actually walk the streets, and you’re actually surrounded by every single nationality on the planet.
The singer said he is preparing a nostalgic show for his fans attending the February 7th event, where he aims to showcase his life history and music. This performance will differ from the Ruben’s Rockfest event he performed recently in Peru, which featured him singing classic rock songs. For the February 7th performance, the singer plans to get more personal.
“I love rock ‘n’ roll, but I’ve come to also realize that a lot of the people that are coming to a private show, where it’s really close fans that have known you for years and know your music and the songs you’ve done, I just think that for these kinds of shows, I really want to go back to my roots, and I want to give the fans music that they have been dying to hear for years. That nostalgic vein is what I want to tap into.”
He added that when he sings a classic rock song, fans enjoy it, but he sees a difference in their reaction when he sings an iconic Menudo song such as “Dulces dieciseis.”
“I just noticed the instant change in an audience, and we live for it as a performer — you live for the audience’s reaction,” he said. “And, the difference between a fan listening to me sing, for example, a Stone Temple Pilot song — they’re enjoying it, they’re watching, and they’re listening, but when something that’s nostalgic to them hits them, I could literally feel like I had done a shot of tequila. That warmth that you get when you take a shot, and it just radiates through your body. I could feel that energy, and that’s what I decided to do for this show. This is what I want to bring to my close fans. I hope they enjoy it. There’s going to be a lot of songs that I haven’t sung in many, many years.”
Plus, Something Extra Special
In addition to Saturday’s event, on Sunday, February 8th, two smaller get-togethers will be held with Ruben. The first will be a unique sightseeing opportunity, and later that day, fans can dine with him.
For more information, DM Rockin with Ruben NYC Rockfest on Facebook or ruben_nyc-rockfest on Instagram.
Charlie and Draco (Robby) Rosa sing ‘A cara o cruz’ in 1986. Photo by Bolivar Arellano
Editor’s Note: For more than a year now, I have been sharing some of my past writings about Ricky Martin’s career history. However, today, I wanted to share former Menudo member Charlie Masso’s entertainment journey with my readers. Well, part of it. Charlie has accomplished so much that this is just Part One of my writings regarding his career. In the future, I plan to post more about his and other former Menudo members’ accomplishments.
Charlie is the ideal former Menudo member to begin with, as he was always my favorite and, in my opinion, remains one of the most talented singers to emerge from the group. Like my Ricky Martin posts, this piece draws from articles I wrote or edited for past newsletters, including “Celebrate ‘98,” the one-time publication dedicated to El Reencuentro, the six former Menudo members who reunited for the group’s 20th anniversary. I was fortunate to interview Charlie in the summer of 1998 for that newsletter and have included a couple of his quotes in this post.
Charlie at Ricky Melendez’s farewell concert in Puerto Rico in 1984. Photo by Bolivar Arellano
Charlie Rivera Masso’s journey has been an eclectic trip through entertainment. A former member of Menudo, the merengue group KAOS, and El Reencuentro, Charlie is also an accomplished solo singer and actor who has appeared in television shows, movies, and stage productions.
Charlie spent five years with Menudo (1982-1987), during which he recorded numerous albums and appeared in commercials, television shows, a novela, and a movie, Una aventura llamada Menudo, alongside his fellow bandmates. Some of the group’s most iconic songs, such as Oh, Coqui, Piel de manzana, Todo va bien, and Acercate, feature Charlie on lead vocals.
His first solo career venture after leaving the group at the beginning of January 1987 involved a stay in Panama, where he appeared in the Spanish-language version of the stage production Brighton Beach Memoirs. Charlie found success as an actor, but his love for Menudo and singing endured. After Robby Rosa (now Draco Rosa) left the group prematurely in May of 1987, Charlie returned as a special guest star on the Summer in the Streets concert tour, which traveled through the United States and Mexico. Later that year, he stepped in again when his replacement, Ralphy Rodriguez, also unexpectedly departed.
Soon, Charlie returned to his own career and, at the beginning of 1988, released his first solo Spanish-language album, Charlie Masso. Music remained a constant in his life, and in late 1988, he released an English-language album in the Philippines titled Charlie Masso, New York. In 1989, he presented his second Spanish-language album, Sin ti. His record company, Melody Records, also invited him to work on a few compilation albums. He sang Tiempo de miel y de rosas on the album Nos vamos a vacaciones, Trepa trepa on Nueva Navidad, and Solamente una vez on Canciones de Lara. A few years later, in 1994, he released another solo album, Inevitable, on the Sony Discos label.
Charlie has always felt a strong attraction to acting, too. His resume includes novelas from Puerto Rico and Mexico. In the late 80s, he appeared in Cuando llega el amor with singer and actress Lucero. The most popular novela that Charlie worked on, however, was Muchachitas, in which he played a cop who goes undercover at a local university. This novela became extremely popular in the Americas and was rebroadcast on Spanish television in 1998.
Charlie at a meet and greet for fans in Puerto Rico on January 5, 1987. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Furthermore, the entertainer is also no stranger to the theater. Besides Panama’s Brighton Beach Memoirs, Charlie has appeared in plays in Mexico and Puerto Rico. His roles have been so diverse that he even played a tree in the environmental play Que planton.
He has also graced the full screen. Over the years, he had a few roles in movies, including in 1994, when he played the hero in Besame, which he co-starred with Mexican pop star Paulina Rubio.
Reflecting on his versatile experiences, when I interviewed him in 1998, he said, “I’m kind of a guy who does it all, but I consider it a preparation for something that is coming up that I don’t exactly know right now what it is, but I am sure all of this is necessary for that.”
By 1996, after years in Mexico, Charlie returned to Puerto Rico. There, he appeared in the miniseries La Senorita Ana. Later that year, he surprised many by joining the merengue group KAOS. Charlie recorded two albums, Aqui esta KAOS lo mas !Encendios! and KAOS 98. However, after the release of KAOS 98, Charlie decided to dedicate his time to El Reencuentro when enthusiasm began to grow at the end of 1997 ahead of Menudo’s 20th anniversary. At first, Charlie was too occupied to notice or take part in the various press activities, even as his fellow former Menudo members were already appearing in magazines and on radio shows.
Charlie in NYC during El Reencuentro’s 1998 promo tour. Photo by Jill Herman
When former Menudo member Ray Reyes called Charlie to invite him to participate in the reunion with himself, Rene Farrait, Miguel Cancel, Ricky Melendez and Johnny Lozada, Charlie thought it was a good idea and promised to call Ray back. Although Charlie put off calling, his former bandmate was persistent. Ray kept reaching out until Charlie confirmed. Charlie explained that people get busy with life and think it’s crazy to drop everything. However, when he asked Ray why they should do the reunion and Ray replied, “fun,” Charlie couldn’t refuse.
“I do things for fun,” he said back in 1998. “The best way to make a living is having fun.”
To the delight of Menudo fans, Charlie joined El Reencuentro, becoming part of the magic and family once again.
What amazed Charlie most about the whole concept of El Reencuentro was what he described as living “in the magic.” He never imagined performing the iconic songs and dances again. When asked for his thoughts, he likened the experience to something on a higher, unexplainable level.
“I think the magic never went away,” he said. “It was always there — the audience. The reason why they have been waiting for so many years is because we have something to do together. It’s kind of a mission. It’s kind of a karma. It’s kind of a karma stuff. It’s kind of a cosmic energy. I don’t know exactly what it is, but it is something that all of us are doing because it goes further than a show. It goes further than money, I don’t know, further than record sales. It’s personal. It’s important for our prayer, our spirits. That’s the reason why we’re here. Maybe that’s the key of all the magic. Because it also became important for all the fans.”
Over the years, Charlie participated in several El Reencuentro concerts, Menudo reunion shows, and achieved further solo success. In a future post, I’ll share more about the years leading up to 2026, which I look forward to sharing with all of you in the near future..
Photo above, Ricky, right, with Raymond Acevedo, Sergio Gonzalez, Angelo Garcia and Ruben Gomez on the set of the “You Got Potential” video in 1988. Photos by Bolivar Arellano for Menuditis
In the late 1990s, my friends and I created a newsletter called Ricky’s Fan Central. The publication was dedicated to fans like us who were no longer teens and interested in the latest news and photos of Ricky Martin. We also added updates on former members of Menudo. One feature I loved was a section where I wrote articles about Ricky’s time in Menudo and the early days of his career. I decided to take those flashback articles, edit them and add anything new I’ve learned over the years. In this post, we take a look at the year 1988. Click on the year to read past articles about 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987.
At the beginning of 1988, Menudo traveled and performed as a foursome. The group was still searching for someone with potential to replace Ralphy Rodriguez, who left Menudo at the end of 1987.
The group toured Central America and then began recording an English album. They had released an album in English called “Menudo in Action” in the Philippines, but they wanted something new, and the album also contained Ralphy’s vocals.
In the spring of 1988, the new Menudo was introduced — Angelo Garcia. Soon, the group embarked on a concert tour that included Mexico, Puerto Rico and many of the states. Angelo wasn’t quite ready yet to perform fully, so he sang and danced toward the back of the stage during the tour.
Raymond Acevedo decided to leave the group in 1988, and as a result, Menudo was a foursome again. During many of their shows, only Ricky, Sergio and Ruben would perform, as Angelo was still learning some of the routines. However, at the end of each show, Angelo let everyone know he had what it took to be a Menudo as he sang the group’s new signature song, “You Got Potential.”
The song was from the group’s 1988 album, “Sons of Rock,” which was Menudo’s third English-language album to be released in the states. On the album, Ricky sang the upbeat songs “TLC” and “Say Why.”
The summer of 1988 brought the group’s La Chica Joven de Menudo Pageant to New York for the first time. The contest had previously only taken place in Puerto Rico, allowing fans to compete for the coveted crown and prizes. Of course, the biggest prize was the winner meeting their favorite group. New York’s La Chica Joven de Menudo was Xaviera Rodriguez, who most recently appeared in the HBO Max series, “Menudo — Forever Young.”
Soon after the United States tour, the group was back with Robert Avellanet, their newest member. Menudo performed a few shows in Chicago, San Antonio, Dallas and San Francisco, where they performed with dance music artists, the Cover Girls, TKA, Naiyobe and Safire. At an autograph session in a mall in San Antonio, Menudo’s presence caused such hysteria that the group had to be removed from the activity.
As 1988 came to a close, Menudo was once again a group of five, following the original formula. However, the year ahead would mark the beginning of a new era in Ricky’s life.
Nearly a quarter of a century later, the horrific memories of Sept. 11, 2001, remain.
The fear of that day was one I had never felt before. Watching the news and hearing how innocent people went to work in the morning and didn’t make it home that night, because of terrorist attacks, left me shivering. That night, I remember hearing thunder, and I thought, “This is it.”
However, that day wasn’t it. America still stands today, and every 9/11, as well as the days in between, it’s important to remember those we lost. I was one of the fortunate who didn’t lose anyone close to me. However, among the victims were two of my former classmates, John Tipping and Joseph Perroncino. While I may not have known my former classmates well, I keep their names close to my heart.
Both Joseph and John were members of Hauppauge High School’s Class of 1986 on Long Island. As a shy girl, I didn’t talk to many people, especially boys, so unfortunately I don’t have too many stories to share.
Still, I remember seeing Joseph in the halls of Hauppauge’s middle and high schools, even though I don’t think he was in any of my classes. John and I attended Forest Brook Elementary School together, as well as the same middle and high schools. For me, he will always be that boy with a twinkle in his eyes. He always looked like he was full of life.
Since 2001, the Class of ’86 has had our 20th and 30th reunions, and next year we will celebrate our 40th. John and Joseph should have had the opportunity to attend all of them.
John, a firefighter with Manhattan’s Ladder Company 4, and Joseph, who worked for Cantor Fitzgerald, should be here today, posting life updates on Facebook, looking forward to their reunions, and most of all, enjoying life with their friends and families.
As I type this blog post, I am experiencing a whirlwind of feelings. At the same time, I know I will never come close to imagining what the family members of the victims have gone through.
Most of the time when I write or talk about 9/11 and my former classmates, I mention a dream I had, one that brought me comfort. I was standing with someone in the dream, and I saw John Tipping. I mentioned to the other person that John was a New York City firefighter, and I said something to the effect that we had to be respectful of him. John turned to me and said, “Rita, thanks, it’s okay.” I woke up with the dream fresh in my head, and the first thing I thought was that John said, “It’s okay.”
Whenever I have dreams such as this one, I want to believe it with every fiber of my being. I hope they all are more than okay, and I pray that their loved ones have found some comfort and peace in knowing that they will never be forgotten.
Once upon a time, I wrote this for a newsletter for Ricky Martin fans. When I started this blog, I titled it “Rita’s Rambling Road” to write whatever I felt like. I thought if I didn’t pigeonhole myself with one topic, I would have more opportunities to share my thoughts and even share some older writings.
Unfortunately, despite being able to write about anything here, I’ve been busy and haven’t had many opportunities to do so. I came across this personal essay I took from that old newsletter and posted on Facebook several years ago. Now, I wanted to share it here.
I sometimes forget the young woman who wrote this. I’m glad I recently found this in my Facebook memories feed.
I wrote this up today. Nothing too original. We have all heard these ideas before, but do we really believe them. If our life is headed in a direction that makes us happy and excited, then we probably do. If not, maybe we should take some time out to think like a six-year-old.
I still remember reading the question in the “Book of Questions”: If you had lunch with your six-year-old self today, what would she say about your life. Well, the question went something to that effect. So it’s funny when Ricky Martin references his six-year-old self in interviews, and even funnier when Disney does a movie on the concept. “You mean I grow up to be a loser,” the little boy yells. Man, I always thought that was what my six-year-old self would say. In other words, why didn’t I think of that movie? Oh well, I guess I’m not a screenwriter.
Ok, so, did you ever think what it would be like to meet your six-year-old self and tell her about your life? What would your mini-self say? Would she be happy, or would she be really upset with you? I’m not talking about how she feels after you try to explain to her that things happen in life. (Even then, she will probably still be upset with you.) I mean, her initial reaction when she hears what happened in her life. What would your mini-self, who has no concept of the limitations of time, energy and money (whether these truly affect our goals or not), say? If you think she would be a little upset, don’t even pull out the laundry lists of “I would have done this, but …” throw it out. Mini-self doesn’t want to hear it. She wants to be all she can be and has issues with you right now. Major issues!!!
So, now that you’ve thrown your list of excuses away (not enough time, energy, money, “that’s what people my age do,” or well that’s what my parents wanted, etc), now it’s time to think like a six-year-old. Come on; dig deep into YOUR mind, YOUR heart and YOUR soul. Think back to when you thought you would live forever and YOUR options were limitless. Think like you have an unlimited amount of time, energy and money. Dream. What are your dreams? What are your goals? Do you even remember, or are they buried underneath what your family wanted for you, what your friends thought you should do, and what society expected of you? Come on, YOUR goals and YOUR dreams are there. No one can take them away because they are YOURS. Come on dig! You can do it. Now, sit back, relax, take a deep breath, and dream. Let YOUR dreams, YOUR goals stream through YOUR mind, heart and soul. Don’t listen to anyone else’s voice but your own.
Ok, now that you have a stream of dreams and goals, write them down. Ok, now make a list in whatever way you make a list. Maybe you want to categorize your dreams and goals into how important each one is to you. Whatever. Just do it. Then, break each goal and dream into steps. Steps that will enable you to accomplish YOUR goals, YOUR dreams. Each day, look at this list to find at least one step you can take to move in the direction you want to in your life. Hopefully a more content, more satisfied, more fulfilling life. Now, you’re probably saying, “But when I was six I wanted to be a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.” Hey, I didn’t say have the dreams you had when you were six. I just said to think like a six-year-old. With that “I can be anything I want to be” attitude, we may have forgotten. However, if you have a dream from your childhood that still sticks in your head, go for it. If you wanted to be a ballerina, take some dance classes. If you wanted to marry Donny Osmond, write him a letter. Just do something.
Of course, as adults, we realize that sometimes the best-laid plans of mice and men tend to go astray. But just because you can’t obtain a goal or dream by plan A, doesn’t mean that plan B or C or D won’t work. As long as you’re on the right path, you’re headed in the right direction. I don’t know who said it, but I read somewhere that you have to dream like you are going to live forever and live each day as your last. That’s the most important thing to remember when trying to obtain your dreams and goals. Dream big, reach for the stars, but remember there are no guarantees in life. You don’t know when you will take your last breath. Most likely you will have the time to achieve all that you want to and more, but don’t take that for granted. Wasting the time we have here on earth is like wasting food. So, keep on dreaming! Keep on moving along YOUR path of life! Soon, you will find your six-year-old self and your current self as happy people.
As for my six-year-old self, well, she thinks we have a lot to work on, but we’re ready, willing and able! And that, of course, is the first step!
The writer and Ricky Martin in Puerto Rico, January 1987.
In the late 1990s, my friends and I created a newsletter called Ricky’s Fan Central. The publication was dedicated to fans like us who were no longer teens and interested in the latest news and photos of Ricky Martin. We also added updates on former members of Menudo. One feature I loved was a section where I wrote articles about Ricky’s time in Menudo and the early days of his career. I decided to take those flashback articles, edit them and add anything new I’ve learned over the years. In this post, we take a look at the year 1987. Click here to read about 1984 when Menudo fans were introduced to Little Ricky and click here to go back to 1985. Want to go back to 1986, click here.
As the year 1986 came to an end and 1987 began, Menudo spent the holiday season in Puerto Rico with their families. After performing in Charlie Rivera Masso’s farewell concert on Three Kings Day, the group headed back to Argentina to finish filming the soap opera “Por siempre amigos,” (“Friends Forever”).
The soap opera began broadcasting on many Spanish-language television stations in the Americas. The story revolved around the friendship of five schoolboys played by the members of Menudo. Ricky’s character was a poor boy whose mother worked for the family of Sergio’s character.
At the end of April, when filming was completed, the novela was receiving good reviews. The group performed concerts in Brazil, Panama and Puerto Rico. Due to Robby’s (Draco) sudden departure from the group, Charlie temporarily returned to Menudo to fill the void. When Ruben Gomez became the newest Menudo, Charlie continued traveling with the group as a special guest star in their “Summer in the Streets” concert tour.
Ricky with fan Mara Havis in Chicago, Illinois, December 1987
The group started their tour with a press conference at New York City’s Hard Rock Cafe. It would be “Summer in the Streets” for a dozen and a half states. The tour was such a great success that a video was sold of the group’s experiences while on the road.
After the states, the group and Charlie performed in Mexico. Menudo then traveled to the Philippines for promotions. While in this country, they joined Leia Salonga in filming the video “That Situation.” The song told young people about the benefits of waiting to have sex.
The group’s comprehensive tour was followed by Menudo putting the finishing touches on their album, “Somos los hijos del rock” (“We Are the Sons of Rock”). On the album, Ricky sang the upbeat songs “Amame ahora, no manana,” (“Love Me Now, Not Tomorrow”) and “Dame mas” (Give Me More”).
In November of 1987, Menudo celebrated its tenth anniversary. Many fans made the pilgrimage to Puerto Rico for the event, and the group members participated in meet-and-greets with their fans.
At the end of 1987, the group experienced another sudden change when Ralphy Rodriguez decided to leave the group prematurely. The group traveled to the Philippines as a quartet for the concerts they had promised in the fall.
Just around the corner was 1988, the group would soon have a new member, and Menudo would prove they still had potential.
Above, my grandparents, who immigrated to the United States from Ireland, with my father, right, and. my uncles.
When I think about my Irish heritage, especially on St. Patrick’s Day, I am reminded of just how fortunate I am. As a second-generation Irish American on my father’s side, it’s not lost on me what my grandparents must have sacrificed when they left their homes, families and country behind them. This realization is despite my never hearing their stories. My grandfather passed away before I was born, and I was going on six when my grandmother died. My maternal grandmother, who was also of Irish descent, always told me that my father’s mother didn’t like talking about Ireland. So, even if she lived longer, I may still not know much. I only know a few pieces of information. My grandparents didn’t meet until they came to America. After arriving in the United States, my grandfather joined the Army as a cook in World War I. My grandmother traveled to the country with a cousin. She would become a housekeeper, and my grandfather eventually found work as a hotel elevator operator. Like most Irish immigrants, they were looking for economic opportunities that didn’t exist in their homeland and a better life for themselves and their future family. While I may not know all they sacrificed, when I was in Rhode Island in the fall of 2023, what they and other Irish Americans did to attempt to achieve the American Dream was driven home for me. I visited the Museum of Newport Irish History during that trip. Despite being a small museum, I was there with my husband and my mother for nearly two hours with our knowledgeable tour guides. Not only did we learn about the Irish who once worked at the Newport Mansions, who would spend their Sundays at church and then at the now-landmark Forty Steps near the beach, but we also received an overall history of Irish Americans’ contributions to our country. What struck me most was the history of Irish immigrants who helped build our country’s canals. According to a display at the museum, tens of thousands of immigrants from Ireland helped build more than 40,000 miles of waterways in the United States from 1790 to 1855. In addition to facing discrimination, backbreaking work and overall horrible working conditions, Irish immigrants, like many others from various countries, were poorly compensated for their work. As I left the museum, the story of the men working on the canals left me teary-eyed. Imagine leaving your homeland with the hope of a better life, and once you arrive in the country, even though you weren’t sure if you would ever see those better days, continuing because you had faith that one day at least your children may be able to enjoy an easier and better life. While most humans work hard and make sacrifices to a certain extent, most of us will never know just how much our ancestors gave up for us. Irish Americans like me are among those who are here today due to the hard work and sacrifices of immigrants. Even though my grandparents may not have worked in the mansions in Rhode Island or on any canals, I am grateful for all the Irish who did as well as similar jobs. Somehow, they sent word back home that there were opportunities in the United States, and people like my grandparents kept coming. If my grandparents could see their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, they would be proud. They would find their hard work and sacrifices were worth it. We may not always realize it, but we live the American Dream they once sought when they crossed the Atlantic Ocean.
Rita's Rambling Road 