'''Ricky Martin''' (born '''Enrique Martín Morales''' on December 24, 1971 in Hato Rey, San Juan, Puerto Rico), is a successful Latin American pop singer who rose to fame, first as a member of the Latin boy band Menudo, then as a solo artist since 1990. He is considered a major star in the world of Latin pop, and is considered to have opened the doors for success in English-speaking countries for some of his fellow Hispanic singers like Enrique Iglesias, Shakira, and Juanes. "Livin' La Vida Loca" made Ricky the first Latin American singer in history to have a U.K. number one hit. Ricky has sold over 55 million albums around the world, seven '''#1''' hits on the US Latin Charts and charting over 30 hit singles.
Biography
Born to now-divorced parents Nerieda Morales and Enrique Martin Morales Sr., Ricky Martin has five siblings: Fernando, Vanessa, Eric, Daniel and Angel. As a child he participated in school extra-curricular activities and sang in the school choir, where he began to realize that his talent captivated the audiences. Through the encouragement of his dad, he began to take voice lessons, and auditioned for television advertising spots.
Martin first achieved worldwide success with his selection to replace Ricky Melendez in the Latin boy band Menudo from 1984 until 1989. His meteoric ascent to fame started in Menudo's homebase, Caguas, site of his first concert. He signed with Sony in 1990.
Solo Career and First Album
After he left Menudo, Martin moved to Mexico City where he started acting, first in theater in productions like ''Mamá ama el rock'', with Angélica María and Angélica Vale. He starred in telenovelas such as ''Alcanzar una estrella II'' and performed in the music group Muñecos de papel of that production with Sasha Sokol, Pedro Fernández, Erick Rubín, Angélica Rivera and Bibi Gaytán. He recorded his first Album, ''Ricky Martin'', in 1991 - which included the still popular single "Fuego Contra Fuego". The album had sold over 500,000 copies worldwide.
Me Amaras
In 1993, Ricky Martin released his second album ''Me Amaras''. In 1994, he moved to Los Angeles, California. He received a role as bartender (Miguel Morez) in the American soap opera ''General Hospital''. The album ''Me Amaras'' had sold more than a million copies worldwide.
A Medio Vivir
Ricky then established himself in Miami and began collaborating with music creator Desmond Child, former Menudo band-mate Robi Draco Rosa, K.C. Porter and Puerto Rican agent Angelo Medina. And in 1995, his third album ''A Medio Vivir'' was released. With these 2 producers
