The secrets of Menudo: the golden stage, the day they visited Machu Picchu and the strongest moment they experienced

“Ten months ago we resumed this tour that we started two years ago and that we had to suspend due to the pandemic. We have been in Venezuela and this October 29 we will be in Peru, at the Esplanade Olguín de Surco. Then we’ll go to Miami, then to Colombia”, Lozada Correa details about the show that brings him back to our country with Miguel Cancel and Ricky Meléndez after almost ten years of absence.

─Did you miss the scenarios?

As an artist yes, but as a person… I am 54 years old, I am reaching a point where singing and dancing “Fuego”, “Claridad” or “Chicle de amor” is getting complicated, my knees hurt. However, I love being on stage, plus people want to continue seeing us and that is a very important factor for employers to continue hiring us.

─After four decades, how is the relationship with the fans?

Our fans have become our friends, I know the children and grandchildren of some. Our concerts are fun because the grandmother, the mother, the children, even the husband go. Everyone enjoys the show and has fun.

***

The Puerto Rican youth quintet was created by the Panamanian producer Edgardo Díaz, in 1977. Its main rule was that its members leave the group when they turn fifteen years old, their voices change or they grow too big.

With René, Xavier, Johnny, Miguel and Ricky, who were later joined by Charlie and Ray to replace the first two respectively, the golden age of the Puerto Rican group began. In 1981 the album “Quiero ser” was released, the first of a trilogy that catapulted the five islanders to great popularity known as ‘menudomanía’.

─How do you remember the golden stage of Menudo?

I was almost eleven years old, it was hilarious, I can’t complain, I thought GI Joe, I don’t say Superman because that would be too much. I laughed a lot and when there was a conglomeration of girls sometimes it scared me because they scratched you or ripped your clothes, it happened many times. We toured all the countries of Latin America, it was a very nice stage.

─Any unforgettable memories of the group’s first visit to Peru?

I remember the moment we visited Machu Picchu, it was on our first visit to Peru, it marked me a lot, until now. At that time the excavations had not finished and I have photos, when I tell people they do not believe me. It looked different before, it was exciting, I love that place, it’s a place I always want to return to.

─ How often did your life change?

Totally, it gave me a career from which I took a lot of advantage. If he hadn’t joined the group, he would probably be a manager of some ‘fast food‘ or something else.

─How did you get to Menudo?

I was about ten years old, I was lucky because a friend came to my house to take me to the birthday of one of the members of Menudo who was already leaving the group, and at that meeting Edgardo was also there, who found out that I sang, that I was in a little music group and he proposed to pass a casting. That’s how it all started.

─ What did the casting consist of?

I remember it perfectly, he asked me to sing “Niños del Edén”, a song by the group La Pandilla. He was scared, he had no experience, I think Edgardo did not see in me what I was at that moment, but what I could become.

─ Is it true that they waved your hair?

It is very true. Like Carlos, the boy who was leaving the group had curly hair, they wanted me to have it the same, they gave me like two perms, they left it as usual… (laughs).

─And as a teenager, was it difficult for you to adapt to travel, to changes, to fame?

I was a child, I was playing, sometimes my mom traveled with us, we had fun, we were always hesitating; there was also a lot of work: promotions, rehearsals, shows. I was like three or four years in the group.

─ Was it difficult to leave the band?

For me it was easier than for the others because before leaving I had already recorded a solo album, I spent a year and a half saying goodbye to Menudo and at the same time presenting myself with my album. The transition was pleasant.

─At 17 you were nominated for a Grammy in the Best Album category for your album “Invítame”, why didn’t you continue as a soloist if you were doing well?

I think I started very early in music, I wanted to do other things, I never gave it the necessary attention or time to have a successful solo career and I blame myself for that. Then I realized that I did want to do it.

─Do you regret not having continued?

I do not regret anything that has happened to me because I learned and it has made me what I am today. God knows why things happen, I’m not complaining, I’ve done well.

─Did you experience any difficult, hard moments in the Menudo stage?

The strongest moment we experienced was once the engine of the plane failed, apparently they had poured a lot of water into the engines and on top of that it had rained. When we were flying, one of the engines did not respond, the pilot had to make an emergency landing, we feared the worst. It was in Venezuela.

─Edgardo Díaz has serious accusations of abuse and exploitation…

He has managed the group very well and I have nothing to say about him, he did his job very well.

─ What concept do you have of him?

He was a genius and managed to consecrate Menudo as one of the most successful bands in history.

─Is it true that you plan to write a book about your experiences in the group?

I put that idea aside a long time ago, people have followed my life, so I have nothing to tell; I also made a documentary that is still valid and there I said everything I had to say.

─What do you think of René Farrait’s work in “La Voz Senior?

I found out through the networks, I understand that you are doing a good job.

─Does the passing of the years worry you?

Not at all because I have a wonderful life and I have had the opportunity to have fun and experience incredible things, I have been blessed.

─After the Menudo tour, what’s next in your career?

Life has given me so much that it would be selfish if I asked for more. As long as I can continue doing El Reencuentro and enjoying my family, my children and grandchildren, I’m happy. I stopped asking for things a long time ago. I always said I’m going to retire at 55, but now I don’t know.

─ Is there a new date for that retreat?

I’ll do it the day people don’t want to hear any more songs from “Súbete A Mi Moto Tour” or their knees can’t take it anymore. Meanwhile I will continue having fun and doing crazy things with my friends.