text: Meléndez retired from Menudo in 1984 at the mandatory age of 16, but since he had started at age nine, he became the band member with the longest tenure at eight years. He gave up his place to Ricky Martin. His final concert with Menudo was in Caguas, where he was joined by most of the former Menudo members on that concert's date, September 16, 1984.
  Once Meléndez left Menudo, he tried various business ventures, including a shop at Plaza Las Americas in San Juan, and became a lawyer. In 1998, he got together with former bandmates Rene Farrait, Johnny Lozada, Ray Reyes, Charlie Masso and Miguel Cancel to make a comeback tour under the name of El Reencuentro. They toured the world.
  Personal life
  Meléndez graduated in 1995 with a juris doctor from the University of Puerto Rico Law School and practices corporate and real estate law at Pietrantoni Mendez & Alvarez LLC. Meléndez also has a B.A. from University of Central Florida in broadcasting.
  Melendez is married to Miriam "Muñeca" Calderín. He has one son and one daughter.
  In pop culture
  Melendez is played by Marcelo Otano and by Eugenio Rivera in the 2020 Amazon Prime Video series based on Menudo, "Subete A Mi Moto".
  Discography
  With Menudo
  Los Fantasmas (1977)
  Laura (1978)
  Chiquitita (1979)
  Felicidades (1979)
  Mas Mucho Mas (1980)
  Es Navidad (1980)
  Fuego (1981)
  Xanadu (1981)
  Quiero Ser (1981)
  Por Amor (1982)
  Una aventura llamada Menudo (1982)
  Feliz Navidad (1982)
  A Todo Rock (1983)
  Reaching Out (1984)