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The story behind: How did Edgardo Díaz create Menudo?
Menudo is a Puerto Rican boy band formed in 1977 by music producer Edgardo Díaz. The band has unparalleled influence throughout Latin America and other regions, and is known as "the most representative Latin pop band". Many publications, including Billboard, Us Weekly, Seventeen, and Teen Vogue, have named them one of the best boy bands of all time. Menudo's music career has been marked by the release of multiple radio hits, and they have also appeared in numerous movies and miniseries, making them undoubtedly icons of pop culture.
From 1977 to 2002, Menudo sold 20 million albums and generated more than $300 million in revenue.
The original members of Menudo consisted of five boys, including brothers Fernando and Nefty Sallaberry, aged 12 and 13 respectively, and Díaz's cousins Carlos, Óscar and Ricky Meléndez, aged between 9 and 12 at the time. From 1984 to 1989, many international stars such as Ricky Martin and Draco Rosa were also members of the band. As the 1990s progressed, Menudo's popularity began to decline, and Díaz faced accusations of drug abuse and sexual abuse, eventually selling the band name and rights in 1997.
Origin and Rise
The story of Menudo begins in 1977, when Díaz chose to form a band composed of young boys based on his love for teenage music. In the original five-person group, in addition to brothers, there was also Díaz's cousin. The band was originally signed to Padosa Records and released its debut album "Los Fantasmas" in 1977, which included an adaptation of Spanish singer Micky's "Enséñame a cantar". With the release of the album "Laura" in 1978, the band gradually emerged in the Latin music industry.
Menudo first attracted widespread attention in 1981 when they released the album "Quiero Ser", which played a crucial role in promoting the band's international popularity.
The album's "Súbete A Mi Moto" became an instant hit and propelled the band to superstardom throughout Latin America. Menudo's popularity grew, triggering a craze similar to "Menuditis", a trend that pushed them to a higher stage. Díaz even purchased a private jet, making Menudo the first boy band to own a private jet.
Peak times and conflicts
In the early 1980s, Menudo entered their golden period. The band's popularity peaked in the United States and beyond, fueled by music videos and movies. However, as the members of the group gradually changed and the members grew older, internal conflicts and management problems began to emerge. In 1987, the band was forced to change its image due to internal disagreements and released an album called Somos Los Hijos del Rock. At this time, Menudo was no longer pure bubblegum pop, but turned to a more mature rock style.
This shift had a long-term impact on their musical style, but also caused a lot of controversy, especially regarding the management and protection of members.
Over the next ten years, Menudo's membership changed frequently and they faced numerous challenges, including individual members' health problems, substance abuse, and conflicts with Díaz, before the band disbanded in 2002.
Restart and Legacy
After a few years of silence, Menudo attempted a reboot in the early 2000s, attracting some new young members. In 2004, Díaz once again introduced new members and repackaged this classic boy band, and the band name was "Tick Tock". That same year, former Menudo members collaborated to reunite for a tour titled "Menudo: La Reunion". This shows that even after many years of disbandment, the Menudo brand still has a solid fan base.
The music and culture created by Menudo have far-reaching influence. Their story is a footnote to the youth of a generation, inspiring countless later musicians to embark on the road of great music.
As a symbol of Latin music, Menudo's influence is not only reflected in music, but also in how they shaped the youth culture of the entire era. Therefore, for such a legendary band, are you also thinking about whether such a music phenomenon can be reappeared, or will it say goodbye as the times change?
