Career
Meléndez is a cousin of band creator Edgardo Diaz, who had success as director of Louisiana Pandilla in Spain and who admired the success obtained by The Jackson 5 in the United States. Carlos Meléndez lasted in Menudo until mid 1980, barely missing out on the group"s golden era. The only Meléndez brother to participate during Menudo"s era of worldwide fame was Ricky.
Like Oscar, Carlos Meléndez 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 Agnetha/ Björn/ Benny/ Anni-Frid"s "Voulez Vous" and "Los Fantasmas".
Carlos Meléndez 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 Meléndez, and Nefty and Fernando Sallaberry reunited on a project - a groupthey were going to call XCHANGE. There was some publicity, and they recorded a few demos, but were not offered a recording contract and disbanded. The 2003 movie Uptown Girls lists the songs "Night of Love", "Molly Smiles", and "Sheets of Egyptian Cotton" as "Written by Carlos Melendez".
