New York. Seven of the 45 members who for 20 years were part of Menudo, considered one of the most popular Latin boy bands of all time, will reunite this fall for a series of six concerts to mark the group's 50th anniversary. This is an important milestone for any artist, but particularly notable for the group that formed in Puerto Rico in the late 1970s, and not only because it was in Menudo where artists like Ricky Martin and Draco Rosa took their first steps.
When its members turned 16, most were replaced, giving way to younger artists who fit in with their always young and increasingly global audience. And it worked.
How was the lineup determined for the next meeting? That decision was made by businessman Paul Tarnopol, who acquired the Menudo brand and selected the seven members who will go on tour at the end of this year: René Farrait (who was in the band from 1979 to 1982), Roy Rossello (1983-1986), Raymond Acevedo (1985-1988), Sergio González (1986-1990), Ralphy Rodríguez (1987), Rubén Gómez (1987-1990) and Robert Avellanet (1988-1991).
The tour kicks off on October 10 at the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles, followed by performances at the Rosemont Theater in Chicago on October 17, the United Palace in New York on November 7, the Teatro Metropólitan in Mexico City on November 28 and Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, on December 4. It will conclude at the Coca-Cola Music Hall in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on December 12.
During an interview, the band told AP that they did not want to reveal the song list, but assured that “there will surely be motorcycles in the production,” in reference to their 1981 single Súbete a mi moto.
Next, the septet talked about rehearsals, choreography, Puerto Rico, and how Menudo has continued to resonate across generations.
–This training covers several generations of Menudo. It's like a new band.
–Acevedo: It has been very exciting to meet again after so many years, although some of us had already shared the stage in other projects. But, for example, I had never been on stage with René and it is an honor. He is, as you know, one of the veterans. We have a lot of chemistry.
–How have the rehearsals gone?
–Avellanet: We are rehearsing a lot. It's been three weeks now, with muscle soreness, you know, we're still recovering. It's going great for us. I have learned new things. We are all professionals and we have done it before.
–And what about the songs? Do they have to adapt them to their more mature voices?
–Rodríguez: Some of the songs, especially the first ones, had much higher voices, and maybe we went down like three tones, or something like that. But then there are others throughout the generations where we just tone it down one tone. So it's actually not that different, which is great. But either way, whether it's the old ones, the middle ones or the new ones, they still have that freshness. There is still that magic of Menudo because we are the ones who sing them. And because we still have that inner child that comes to light while we sing.
Acevedo: We're not going to reveal the names of the songs because it's a surprise, but it's great to be able to do it. It takes you on an unforgettable journey. Plus, it will be very visual. And without a doubt, it will evoke all that nostalgia.
–Menudo's last album was in 1996, 30 years ago. Are you working on new music?
–González: We are concentrating on the anniversary. But who knows what could happen in the future?
Acevedo: We are full. Who knows what will happen next? Go to the concerts and tell us.
–Fifty years later, Menudo is still considered the greatest Latin boy group of all time. What is it about this band that makes people continue to love and connect with it?
–Gómez: I think it's the music. The formula of the songs, along with the dance, the music speaks for itself. When you listen to a Menudo song, before it ends, you already know the lyrics. I think the songs are what keeps the genre alive.
–Menudo also goes on tour at a time when people from all over the world think about Puerto Rico, admire it and celebrate it, especially through music. Is there anything special about this group coming back now?
–Acevedo: Historically, yes, we are in a great moment to be part of Menudo's 50th anniversary. We are proud to be pioneers in all this, especially from Puerto Rico, and from all our artist friends who have been successful, like Ricky (Martin), now Bad Bunny and all those. We are very proud of all that. And to do it again at this level is a blessing.
