Rickymania - A Latin Beat Hits Motown

I've been a big fan of Latin music since my first of many journeys to Puerto Rico back in 1989, so I expected a lot from Ricky Martin, given the hoopla & mania that has surrounded him in recent years.

Martin's Livin' La Vida Loca tour made a stop at the Palace of Auburn Hills on June 30th and was nothing short of spectacular. It is quite apparent by the way Martin handles the crowd and performs that he is a truly illuminated and gifted entertainer.

A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Martin grew up listening to Stateside rock and local salsa rhythms which he's translated into an international success story that is likely to continue well into the future. However, his success is not 'overnight', given the fact that Martin's career began in the 1980s when he was a member of the youthful Latin singing group Menudo.

The show opened with a short video on Martin who then emerged on stage shrouded in fog atop an old beat up Ford Mustang singing his hit Livin' La Vida Loca, surrounded by several terrific female dancers. Martin had most of the sell-out crowd on its feet and shaking their bon bon during the entire hour & 45 minute show. Not surprisingly, the extremely handsome Martin drew a predominately female crowd, most of who appeared to be under the age of 25. Martin may be a teen heartthrob, but this shouldn't discourage anyone from attending his shows or checking out his recordings.

Backed by a first-rate band that included an extensive percussion and horn section, the over-the-top production values included very effective lighting & fog, high wire acts, platform elevators, a progression of costume & set changes, five screens featuring the performance, video clips, exotic dancers, and musicians constantly moving to the pulsating Latin beat. Martin's high energy moves were perfectly choreographed and the entire production was nothing short of Latin theater.

The only flaw, if it can be called one, was the self-adulation; but then, it seemed well deserved. It's easy to see why Martin's being referred to as the Puerto Rican Elvis.

Much of Martin's show consisted of songs from his hugely successful self-titled album. He drew the greatest crowd response with Spanish Eyes/Lola, Marcia Baila, I am Made of You, Shake Your Bon Bon, Maria, She's All I Ever Had, and the show closer, Cup of Life, before descending beneath the stage in a shroud of fog.

I've been keeping track of all the bands I've seen perform since The Beatles back in 1966. That show has always been a benchmark for me in terms of the excitement it generated. In 1976, I saw Bob Marley at the Beacon Theater in New York, which to this day remains the finest performance I've ever witnessed. Well, I've just added Ricky Martin to my list of stellar performers.

A Ricky Martin concert is an exercise in physical endurance not only for entertainer but audience. Martin's Latin rhythms force continuous dance, leaving one exhausted but begging for more like some addictive drug. A live album from this tour would certainly help ease the craving.

Copyright 2000 Kristofer Engelhardt