Ruben Gomez and Fans Take a Trip Down Memory Lane

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 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.

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.

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. 

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.