Ray Reyes, the Puerto Rican singer who was part of Menudo, passes away at 51 years of age
The music community is in mourning once again, as Puerto Rican singer Ray Reyes passed away at 51 years of age.
The singer’s death was confirmed by his brother Raul on Facebook post Friday, and while it did not release a cause of death, Primera Hora reported the death was caused by, ‘a massive heart attack.’
Raul also asked his brother’s fans to keep his family in their prayers and to always remember his legacy.
Mourning: The music community is in mourning once again, as Puerto Rican singer Ray Reyes passed away at 51 years of age
Heart attack: The singer’s death was confirmed by his brother Raul on Facebook post Friday, and while it did not release a cause of death, Primera Hora reported the death was caused by, ‘a massive heart attack’
‘Dear Friends, Family and FANS. With enormous pain in my soul I inform you, that my beloved Brother Ray Reyes passed away,’ Raul Reyes began.
‘I beg you to give us the space to digest all this situation and please pray for our family, especially my mother who is delicate,’ he added.
‘I also ask you to never forget your legacy, Today more than ever we need to unite, never leave to express the love and affection they feel for their neighbor.. This is one more teaching of the universe!’ Raul concluded.
Legacy: ‘I also ask you to never forget your legacy, Today more than ever we need to unite, never leave to express the love and affection they feel for their neighbor.. This is one more teaching of the universe!’ Raul concluded
Reyes was born in New York City but raised in Levittown, a neighborhood in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico.
He joined Menudo in 1983 at 13 years of age replacing Xavier Serbia in the band just as their popularity started to explode.
Reyes was extremely popular among the group’s wide fan base, singing lead vocals on Si Tu No Estas, Chicle De Amor and Zumbador on their 1983 album A Todo Rock.
Menudo: He joined Menudo in 1983 at 13 years of age replacing Xavier Serbia in the band just as their popularity started to explode
He became known as the ‘chubby one’ in the band when it leaked that Menudo founder and producer Edgardo Diaz put him on a strict diet after joining.
He would record the group’s next three albums all in the year 1984, the band’s first English album Reaching Out, which included the song Like a Cannonball for the movie Cannonball Run 2.
They also recorded their first Portuguese album that year, Mania, and their third album, Evolucion, ultimately was his last in the group.
Albums: He would record the group’s next three albums all in the year 1984, the band’s first English album Reaching Out, which included the song Like a Cannonball for the movie Cannonball Run 2
He was forced out of the group after a sudden growth spurt, and replaced by Raymond Acevedo in 1985.
He released a solo album Uno Y Otra Ves in 1986 in Spanish and Minha Musica in Portuguese before joining Proyecto M in 1988 with former Menudos Rene Farriat and Johnny Lozada.
He would reunite with his Menudo members several other times, including a 1998 concert celebrating the group’s 15th anniversary.
Growth spurt: He was forced out of the group after a sudden growth spurt, and replaced by Raymond Acevedo in 1985
Reunited: He would reunite with his Menudo members several other times, including a 1998 concert celebrating the group’s 15th anniversary