Carlos Meléndez (singer)

Carlos Meléndez (born c 1965) is a Puerto Rican who is a former member of Menudo.

Melendez is a cousin of band creator Edgardo Diaz, who had success as director of La Pandilla in Spain and who admired the success obtained by The Jackson 5 in the United States.

Carlos Melendez and his brothers Oscar and Ricky wore curly hair, a style which was popular during the 1970s.

In 1977, Diaz created Menudo, asking Carlos and his brothers to become band members, along with Fernando and Nefty Sallaberry, who are also brothers. Carlos Melendez lasted in Menudo until mid 1980, barely missing out on the group's golden era. As a matter of a fact, the only one of the three Melendez brothers to participate during Menudo's era of worldwide fame was Ricky.

Like brother Oscar, Carlos Melendez did, however, become famous through Puerto Rico when the group began to have a televised show, and with two of Menudo's first hits: a Spanish version of ABBA's "Voulez Vous" and "Los Fantasmas".

Carlos Melendez tried a duo singing career with Fernando Sallaberry for a brief time after leaving Menudo. He did not record any major hits by himself, however, and soon, retired from music.

In 1987, 4 of the original 5 MENUDO members, Carlos & Ricky Melendez, and Nefty an Fernando Sallaberry reunited on a project- a group- they were going to call: XCHANGE. There was some small publicity, and they even recorded a few demos ('EP), but unfortunately they were not offer a recording contract and soon disbanded.