Above, Ricky at Narita Airport, Japan, Oct 1985. Bottom of page, Roy Rossello, Robby (Draco) Rosa, Ricky Martin and Charlie Rivera (Masso) at the 14th Tokyo Music Festival. press conference in 1985. Photos from Toshiko Tsuchiya/Menudo Fan Club Japan. Center photo, Ricky and fan Lisa Karen in New York in 1985. Photo from Lisa Karen.
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. With the 40th anniversary of Ricky stepping on stage to be introduced as the newest member of Menudo in July, 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 1985. Click here to read about 1984 when Menudo fans were introduced to Little Ricky.
As 1985 began, the world was about to discover what Menuditis was all about — something devoted fans in Latin America and the United States already comprehended. As the group members of Menudo prepared themselves to spread Menudomania all over the world, Ricky, who had only been in the group for a few months, quickly became a popular member along with Ray Reyes, Roy Rossello, Robby Rosa (Draco Rosa) and Charlie Rivera (Masso).
At the end of 1984, the group’s first Portuguese language album was released in Brazil. The album was titled Mania and included the Portuguese versions of various Menudo fan favorites. The album included Ricky Melendez instead of Little Ricky on vocals, but Kiki had the pleasure of traveling to Brazil. The beginning of 1985 was hectic for the group with visits to Brazil, Asia and Japan, where Menudo appeared at the popular Tokyo Music Festival.
At the beginning of 1985, it was announced that Ray Reyes would be replaced by Raymond Acevedo in April. Raymond made his official debut with the group’s second English album, Menudo. The album featured the hit Hold Me and other favorites, such as Come Home and Explosion. On the album, Ricky sang Oh My Love, the English translation of his first song Rayo de Luna, which appeared on the 1984 album Evolucion.
In 1985, the group was also honored to participate in two special projects — the songs King Holiday and Cantare, Cantaras. King Holiday was a tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. and included several American pop artists, such as New Edition, Whitney Houston and Lionel Richie. Cantare, Cantaras was a collaboration of Latin artists, in which the profits from the album went to causes that fought against world hunger.
To the delight of fans, two more dolls, Robby Rosa and Ricky Martin, were added to the Menudo doll collection. The original collection included Johnny Lozada, Ricky Melendez, Charlie Rivera, Ray Reyes and Roy Rossello.
In May 1985, the fivesome appeared on a two-part special of the populer TV show The Love Boat. Filmed while Ray Reyes was still in the group, the boys did a bit of matchmaking on the show as well as performing.
The summer of 1985 was besieged with problems as Menudo embarked on a tour of the states promoted by Pepsi, the soda company for which they had previously appeared in commercials. Charlie had mononucleosis for the New York shows, and Ray Reyes temporarily returned to join the other four members on stage. The rest of the U.S. summer tour had to be postponed when Ricky, Charlie, Ray, Roy, and then choreographer Joselo Vega caught chickenpox.
Fortunately, the group was able to make up the concert dates that fall. Even their summer concert series in their homeland, Puerto Rico, was overshadowed by bad luck when at a waterpark meet and greet with fans, Roy twisted his neck, and Ricky sprained his toe when a board hit his foot.
The summer of 1985 wasn’t all terrible. That year Menudo released their album Ayer y Hoy. On this album, Ricky sang a duet with Raymond called Me siento bien con mis amigos. Later in the year, the group released another Portuguese album and finished recording their first Italian album. Ricky sang the Italian version of the popular Menudo song Dulce Besos on this LP.
At the end of 1985, the group toured the Philippines, Asia and Europe. Ricky was now a seasoned Menudo. Ahead of him were many fellow members and countless exciting experiences that would build a solid foundation for the future.
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