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November 6, 1999
* His
life lately has been as crazy as his theme song
* He
got his start at age 6
* No
one has captivated fans the way he has
"Do one thing
at a time and do it right"
It took 16
years for America to discover Ricky Martin. To stay on top, He's studying
Sinatra, Elvis, The Beatles. What's he learned so far?
n a tiny private
island five miles off the coast of Puerto Rico, you can almost feel the
ghosts of Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Jim Morrison and John Lennon. It's
as if they were here because Latin sensation Ricky Martin is here, explaining
how he uses their lives to guide him through the thrills and hazards of
superstardom. He has been reading these singers' biographies, looking for
lessons.
"I pray for control of my emotions," Martin says, leaning into the sticky night air on the patio of a wealthy friend's house. "All this glamour, adrenaline and euphoria that fame presents can seduce and destroy you if you're not in touch with your feelings. I don't want to sound dramatic, but it can kill you." Martin may be the world's most famous singer at the moment, and, at 27, he's smart and mature enough to know he has to be very careful -- in how he conducts himself and how he plans his career. Luckily, he's had almost a lifetime to prepare for icon status.
To understand this, you must come to Puerto Rico, his native island, which has cheered him on since he was a cute 12-year-old in the Latin boy group Menudo. Wherever Martin goes in this U.S. commonwealth, girls cry with joy and old people touch his head to bless him. Young men flood hair salons to copy his blond-streaked hairstyle, and mothers swear Martin's videos make their babies coo. Again and again, Puerto Ricans use the word "proud" to describe their feelings for him. When they boast that his current U.S. tour sold out in minutes, you'd think they were talking about their own son.
Puerto Ricans are protective of Martin. They're upset when comics such as Chris Rock zing their hero for supposedly having a one-song repertoire: the ubiquitous Livin' La Vida Loca. They point out that Martin was a huge Latin star, with 16 million in solo sales, long before his sizzling performance at last February's Grammy Awards, when the rest of America finally discovered him. "Americans think Ricky popped up from nowhere," snaps Nilsa Castro, a flight attendant. She's grateful Rickymania finally has hit the United States. "Ricky carries a positive image everywhere he goes. He even brings our flag to pose for pictures. He's our ambassador."
Martin remains uncommonly loyal to his roots. When he returns to Puerto Rico, he won't hold a jammed press conference in San Juan. He'd rather hire a helicopter to bring local media out to this little private island to say hello. Everyone gets to hang out with him for a bit, one on one. Says his personal manager, José Vega, "He wants them to see he's the same guy who will always talk to them." By extension, of course, he's talking to his 4 million countrymen -- "my family." And they never tire of the story: Loco boy makes good.
Martin is dressed casually in sandals, his shirt untucked. His life lately has been as crazy as his theme song, yet he seems relaxed. He recently visited India and discovered it's vital to be alone 20 minutes each day. "I learned the beauty of silence. In solitude, locked in your room, you start knowing yourself better. It's cathartic for your brain. You're purifying it. In those sacred moments, you start creating."
Despite his everywhere-you-look fame, he insists he can go unnoticed. "I'll sit in a park and just look at people. You need that simplicity." The day before this fall's MTV Video Music Awards show, when all of New York seemed focused on him, his handlers at one point couldn't find him. He grins. "I wear a hat. I sit on a bench. Yes, I can do it."
He's mostly mum about his love life, saying he's too busy to date, and asks the media to accept that his sexuality is his business. Unsolicited, though, he calls "the night I lost my virginity" one of the greatest moments in his life, on a par with the Grammys.
He got his start at age 6, in TV commercials. After joining Menudo in 1984, Ricky quickly fell in love with the spotlight, the screaming girls. He didn't even mind the schooling in hotel rooms: "The education was really intense. Even on weekends, we learned." But he hated the regimentation. "My personality was sabotaged in the band. We were told what to sing and wear, what haircut to have. I didn't know who I was. When I left the band in '89, I had to think, 'Do I like this haircut? Do I like these jeans?' "
He struggled in a tug-of-war between his divorced parents -- things are smoother now -- then spent a few years in New York, finding himself. He built a solo career in canny steps: a role in the soap General Hospital, four months starring on Broadway in Les Misérables, constant touring of Latin America. In 1993, Martin took a small plane to an appearance. After dropping him there, the plane took off, then crashed, killing the pilot. "It was a spiritual awakening," Martin says. "Why are we put on the planet? Perhaps for me, my mission is to educate people about the beauty of Latin music."
There's been great media buzz that Martin is leading a Latin revolution in America -- and, yes, Latin music sales are up -- but no one has captivated fans the way he has. The truth is, Martin is fiercely driven, and unapologetic about it. His father, a psychologist, drummed into him that he must strive for greatness. "My dad said if you're mediocre, you might be happy, but it's a silly sort of happiness. It feeds pleasure, but not self-esteem."
Martin hopes talent and "spirituality" will enable him to overcome the dangers of fame. His role models are the Beatles. "They were beat up in the beginning for being 'bubble gum.' Now, look at their influence." He dreams of a 50-year career, like Sinatra's.
On the flip side, he has studied the darkest sides of stardom: reading about the self-destructiveness of Jim Morrison, who described himself as "a fiery comet, a shooting star" before he died at age 27. Martin is 27 and doesn't want to be a fast-moving comet. "My best moment is right now. Before in my life, I was thinking too much about the past and future. I was there and there, and not here, in the present."
Martin believes Elvis Presley's life fell apart because he lost control, letting indulgent handlers run his personal life and letting a bullying manager sacrifice music for the sideshow of B-movies. That's why "Ricky decides everything," says Vega, his manager. Indeed, Martin has a motto: "Do one thing at a time and do it right." That's why he's concentrating on music, even turning down movie roles being thrown at him.
It's dark now, a million stars fill the Caribbean sky, and it's time for Martin to helicopter off this tiny island. He's off "to the big island to see my mother," he says. That would be Puerto Rico. But his mind is stateside, where his U.S. tour has been mounted as a grand and hectic extravaganza. "We're doing a different city every other day. The show is 21?2 hours and really intense. I have 10 changes of wardrobe. If I don't focus, I won't make it. I have to be like I'm in the military." On the Ricky Martin tour, there's no question who's the general.
Taken
from USA Weekend, Issue date: Nov 7, 1999
Superstars To Perform At Billboard Awards Show
Ricky Martin, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers are set to perform at the 10th annual Billboard Music Awards, to be held Dec. 8 at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.
Other artists scheduled to appear at the final Billboard awards show of the century include 98 Degrees, Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, Blink 182, Juvenile, 'N Sync, Aerosmith, and Emmylou Harris, who will receive this year's Century Award, Billboard's highest honor for artistic achievement.
The awards honor the top artists and recordings of the year as determined exclusively by the year-end Billboard charts. This year's show will air live in America on FOX at 8-10 p.m. ET.
November 5, 1999
Let's just say that Latin sensation Ricky Martin has apparently not come to grips with the demands of superstardom.
At last night's Larry King Cardiac Foundation gala, the singer was to be the grip-and-greet attraction at the VIP big-bucks reception. But when he stepped off the elevator at the Four Seasons Hotel to find himself inundated by rabid fans, he turned on his heel and fled to the safety of his hotel room.
"That was the biggest mob scene I've ever seen," said a stunned King.
Martin, who did come out of hiding later to perform, was clearly the hit of the night. The Puerto Rican hunk first burst onto the music scene as a 12-year-old member of Menudo and now has a solo career--16 million records sold last time we checked--and a following so huge he just got a court order barring the sale of counterfeit Ricky Martin T-shirts.
Yes, the 27-year-old is hotter than a sunspot, la vida loca everybody-wants-him entertainer of the moment. And who got him? Larry King.
"This year Ricky Martin, next year a Jew," cracked King.
Chalk up another coup for the bespectacled, suspendered talker from Brooklyn. King managed to persuade Martin to interrupt a U.S. tour--he's playing to stadiums full of hysterical teenage girls--to fly to Washington and sing (for free) to 400 of King's friends.
"I'm here for Ricky," said Cheryl Masri. "As a matter of fact, all the girls joining me are here for Ricky."
Talk show host John McLaughlin was less enamored. "I just want to see if he can utter three consecutive sentences."
He did.
"Of course I was going to be here," Martin told the crowd. "I live on emotion. I live on heart."
"We've had a lot of great nights," said King's wife, Shawn. "Tonight may be the best."
Missing it all was The Donald, a k a New York developer and presidential maybe-wannabe Donald "The Blow Dry" Trump. "The Donald is stuck in New York," said King. "The airport's closed, and he won't humble himself to take the train."
It's been quite a year for King: His son, Chance, was born seven months ago and there's another baby on the way in June. The blond charmer spent the evening cradled in his mother's arm, looking adorable. Takes after Shawn, who was introduced to the strains of--we kid you not--"Having My Baby."
King stood around beaming. His buddy, "America's Most Wanted" host John Walsh, called him "the celebrity spokesman for Pampers and Viagra."
But King was also glowing about the seventh annual gala: The night raised $400,000; each of the 400 seats paid for, he said proudly. The gala has grown so big that the foundation has added a West Coast party next May to its fund-raising roster, with all the money going to heart patients.
In return, King gives donors a hell of a show. Last year it was Celine Dion, red-hot from "Titanic's" "My Heart Will Go On" single. This year's gala had a Latin flair: In addition to Martin, the lineup included singer Jose Feliciano, comedian Paul Rodriguez and magician Joe Romano.
"I'm part of the Latin explosion," said Rodriguez. "It's taken a long time and it's due, isn't it? Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin opened the door, and I'm glad. But I'm funnier."
The comedian had plenty of unprintable one-liners and one quip about his heritage. "There are Latinos here tonight," he told the audience. "Still way in the back, huh? Nothing has changed."
The program opened with an all-American beat: the bouncing burgundy-and-gold Redskinettes. Well, why not? Every boy dreams of being surrounded by adoring cheerleaders, and King is clearly no exception.
Feliciano performed three songs. While it seemed a bit premature for "Feliz Navidad," we're pleased to report that his rendition of "Light My Fire" is still darn sexy.
But the one everyone was waiting for was Martin, who is in the middle of 25 sold-out concerts; King got the singer's one available night. Martin and dancers leapt onstage and began a spirited rendition of--guess what--"La Vida Loca" to screams from the audience. He is as cute in person as he is in pictures: blond highlights, adorable grin and a killer hip swivel.
At the end of the song he giggled and thanked the audience. Then he promised "three songs full of love. I swear I'm going to leave my heart and soul onstage."
There was a ballad and then a dance song, which had the audience up on its feet, Shawn King bouncing the baby and women shimmying their way to the front. "Hands in the air!" instructed Martin. "Let me hear your heartbeats."
The song ended in a burst of applause and Rodriguez came onstage. "Look at you!" he said to Martin. "You're sweating more than Mike Tyson in a spelling bee."
The night ended with the traditionally spectacular magic trick performed by Romano. This year Martin and Rodriguez served as straight men as a giant book titled "How to Be a Disco King" was rolled onstage. Need we say that the empty tome magically revealed a white-suited John Travolta look-alike with the visage of a certain Mr. King?
Okay, so he's no Ricky Martin. But he's doing okay in the la vida loca department himself.
Taken
from Washington Post November 3, 1999
Judge Protects Ricky Martin
Shirts
Ricky Martin
won a court order barring the sale of counterfeit Ricky Martin T-shirts.
U.S. District
Judge Barbara Hackett issued the order several hours before the pop start
performed Monday at the Palace here.
Attorneys
for Martin and Winterland Concessions sought the order. Winterland produces
authorized T-shirts for Martin.
"These counterfeiters can take in up to $100,000 at a concert,'' said M. Kelly Tillery, Winterland's lawyer.
Taken
from Associated Press
Ricky's La Vida Lonely
In an interview with the London Times, Latin hearthrob Ricky Martin revealed that livin' la vida loca has left him missing out on serious relationships, thus leaving him lonely and feeling isolated. He also went on to state that he'd be willing to trade in fame for the thrill of "coming home from work and tripping over kids' toys." Uh, ok...
Taken from Showbiz Wire
October 30, 1999
For those fans living in Australia, don't miss this Monday's episode of "The Drum with Molly Meldrum" as he features a very exclusive interview with Ricky Martin.
The Drum airs
on Foxtel Cable Network on Channel [V] on 1st November, 1999 at 8.30pm.
Ricky Martin Urges End to Navy Bombs
Puerto Rican pop star Ricky Martin has a message for President Clinton: Stop bombing runs on the territory's island of Vieques.
"Puerto Rico is united in this cause and I'm part of it,'' Martin said in Friday's El Mundo newspaper.
The "Livin' La Vida Loca'' singer has a tentative meeting scheduled next week with Clinton when he is in Washington for a benefit concert.
The Navy owns two-thirds of Vieques, a tiny island off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico. The military has conducted exercises using live bombs and other artillery on Vieques for decades.
Opposition to the bombing intensified in April when a Marine Corps jet dropped two bombs off target and killed a civilian security guard. Exercises were suspended after protesters set up camps on the range.
Taken
from Associated Press
Bill Clinton Invites Ricky Martin to the White House
Angelo Medina,
Ricky's Manager, has confirmed that Ricky Martin has been asked by
President
Clinton to visit the white house on November 2.
Medina mentioned
that Martin will take a break in his tour of concerts in the United
States to
visit the President.
"Ricky is a
world-wide phenomenon. Americans agree that he's as great as some
great American
entertainers., and all agree that his show is the show of the decade´´,
said Medina
in a press release.
Taken from Associated Press
Remixes for
Madonna's duet with Ricky Martin, Be Careful (Cuidado Con Mi Corazón)
are already in the making. So far, Victor Calderone and Warren Rigg have
conjured up some great dance mixes for the midtempo track included in Martin's
latest self-titled album.
October 23, 1999
Ricky Martin is set to release a new single from his mega selling 'Ricky Martin' album. Shake Your Bon Bon will hit stores November 15 around Australia. Featuring hot remixes, plus for the first time ever, Ricky's Christmas song, 'Ay Ay Ay It's Christmas', the single will see you shaking your bon bon all through summer.
At radio from October 25, expect to hear it everywhere. The sensational video was directed by Wayne Isham who also directed Ricky's Cup Of Life and Livin La Vida Loca videos as well as Will Smith's Miami.
If you want to hear Shake Your Bon Bon, you can vote for it on Ugly Phil's Hot 30; or vote to see the video on the following websites:Video Hits, Channel V, and MTV Australia.
***For fans living outside Australia who would like to obtain a copy of the Australian release of "Shake Your Bonbon", please send us an email for more details.
'Ricky Martin' album has already sold over 8 million copies worldwide.
Expect to hear news of a mid 2000 Australian Ricky Tour real soon...
Taken
from Sony Music Australia
Ricky Is King Of Fan-Voted Ritmo Latino Music Awards
Ricky Martin topped the Ritmo Latino Music Awards?El Premio De La Gente, presented yesterday at L.A.?s Universal Amphitheatre, winning three trophies. Martin?s ?Vuelve? (Sony Discos) won in the album of the year and male pop artist or group categories, and ?Livin? La Vida Loca? won as music video of the year.
Martin?s labelmate
Shakira also won big: The Colombian singer was named artist of the year,
and her album ?Dónde Están Los Ladrones?? won in the female
pop artist or group category. Juan Gabriel, who won in the artist or group
regional Mexican category, was given the lifetime achievement award, La
Opinión Tributo Nacional.
The awards
were the first based on winners chosen by popular vote; fans filled out
ballots at Vons Grocers, Red Lobster restaurants, and record stores owned
by Ritmo Latino, the U.S.? largest Latino indie retailer. The ceremony
was produced by L.A. marketing company Uno Productions and U.S. Spanish
television network Telemundo; the latter will broadcast the show Nov. 7.
Taken
from Billboard Online
Ricky Martin to perform on 'David Letterman'
CBS's "The Late Show With David Letterman" has announced that Ricky Martin will perform on the program Oct. 27. Meanwhile, the singer tells the New York Daily News that he still has not made up his mind about performing on New Year's Eve. "I got offers from Orlando, Atlantic City and Las Vegas," he told the paper. "It's such a special evening. I usually spend that night with my family. I work all year long. I don't know. Show me the money."
http://www.herald.com/content/today/docs/023949.htm
The most anticipated tour of the season kicked off in high gear Wednesday night at the Miami Arena when pop star Ricky Martin, in a display of supreme self-confidence, refused to save the best for last.
Instead, the Puerto Rican singer
rose on the stage on the hood of a vintage Ford Mustang
convertible, to the tune of Livin'
la Vida Loca.
The hit song that gives Martin's
current tour its name might have been the most spectacular of the evening,
bolstered by a host of amazing dancers (including a dazzling blond who
came out of the trunk of the car, and who, in mid wiggle, accidentally
unfastened her bra), and a multitiered, rotating stage with conveyor belts
that
literally allowed Martin's band
to play at all levels.
But beyond the best set that money can buy, Martin was a consummate showman. He was singing in English and Spanish, switching from love ballads to salsa tunes, choreographing the sold-out house to the tune of Por Arriba, Por Abajo (On Top, On Bottom), among others that got the crowd on its feet.
With all the props and costume changes (six at least), it might be tempting to dismiss Martin as an entertainer more than a singer, but he stresses the latter.
Accompanied by a nine-piece band,
plus two backup singers, Martin -- for all his
association with sexy moves -- kept
appearances from his dance troupe to a
minimum, even refraining in the
obvious choices, like the salsa-tinged,
brass-heavy Spanish Eyes, which
instead had the horn section shimmying on the
conveyor belt.
Martin, of course, dances. He entices.
He caters completely to the audience -- a
wink here, a derriere wiggle there
-- a kiss to a grandmother, a wave to a baby.
As for the singing, Martin is best with fast-paced Latin repertoire, like Marcia Baila (Marcia Dances), a saucy romp that finds him in a full voice that balances well with the choreography.
But his band drowns him out in the mellower material. And he lacks the vocal range and strength to convince in pop ballads like Vuelve (Come Back) -- so better heard here recently by its author, Venezuelan Franco de Vita -- or even his spiritually minded I Am Made of You, which was mostly lost on this crowd.
Still, Martin worked hard for his
first show of the tour -- and the first of two Miami
performances -- and more often than
not, he delivered. The Livin' La Vida Loca tour
culminated, predictably, with a boisterous and exciting version of The
Cup of Life. And then,
almost as an afterthought, a medley of typical Puerto Rican
songs. It was a welcome touch of earthiness
in an evening of glitz, and frankly, of fun.
Leila Cobo is The Herald's pop
music critic.
Ricky Martin Teams With Larry King For Heart Awards
Latin heartthrob Ricky Martin and
Larry King are teaming up to support The Larry King Cardiac Foundation
(www.lkcf.org). Martin will perform at a black-tie event benefiting the
foundation at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, D.C. on November 2
at 6:30 p.m. ET. The event will pay tribute to the Larry King Heart Award
honorees Marilyn Carlson Nelson of the Carlson Companies, Inc. and Douglas
M. McCracken of Deloitte & Touche.
Tickets can be purchased individually
for $1,000, and table sponsorships range from
$10,000 to $100,000. In addition
to Martin, entertainment will also be provided by
Latin legend Jose Feliciano and
Latin comedian Paul Rodriguez.
The nonprofit organization was founded
in 1988 after King had undergone successful
quintuple bypass heart surgery.
The foundation has an established track record of
providing financial support to victims
of heart disease. Former Larry King Heart
Award honorees include Donald Trump
and Jonathan Tisch.
Taken from www.launch.com
Giorgio Armani is proud to announce that his Emporio Armani Fragrances will co-sponsor Ricky Martin's world tour, ``Livin' la Vida Loca'', which kicks-off at the Miami Arena on October 20, 1999. Giorgio Armani has also created the entire wardrobe for Ricky and for his production, which includes the band, dancers and crew.
Giorgio Armani says: ``Sponsoring Ricky's tour is a wonderful opportunity to work with a close, personal friend and also a great musician. Ricky is an outstanding entertainer and singer. I admire his amazing ability to captivate and move an audience and it is very exciting to work on a big project like this one with him. The spirit of the clothes will definitely be sexy, which is the essence of Ricky.''
Giorgio Armani established his strong ties in the music world nearly two decades ago. Since 1990, Armani has been the designer of choice for Martin, who has worn Armani to special events like this year's Grammy Awards ceremony, the World Music Awards and the MTV Video Awards.
Ricky Martin is an international star, selling more than 15 million records world-wide and packing stadiums from Buenos Aires to Beijing. His performance of the official World Cup France '98 song, ``La Copa de la Vida/The Cup of Life'' at the 1999 Grammy Awards ceremony made him an instant sensation in America, where he topped charts with his English-language singles ``Livin la Vida Loca'' and ``She's All I Ever Had''. Martin is also an accomplished actor, having played ``Marius'' in the Broadway hit ``Les Miserables'' and ``Miguel'' on the daytime soap opera ``General Hospital''.
Emporio Armani Fragrances for her and for him are today, nearly a year after their launch, two of the world's most popular scents. Together, they represent the spirit of modernity, vitality and optimism.
Taken
from PRNewswire
October 15, 1999
With his current smash hit ``She's All I Ever Had'' climbing the U.S. pop charts, Ricky Martin is gearing up to star in his new Pepsi commercial titled ``Bottles.'' The spot is the first to support Pepsi's new Goza El Sabor (``Joy of Cola'') campaign, and represents the company's largest Latino effort to date. The commercial will debut next week on Univision, Telemundo and Galavision.
"Bottles'' was recently filmed in Los Angeles and directed by Wayne Isham. Known for his eye for unique and captivating images, Isham recently directed Martin's blockbuster video "Livin' La Vida Loca.'' The 30-second commercial features the celebrity doing what he does best ... performing the new Goza El Sabor song to a sold out crowd. The theme was composed by award winning songwriting duo of Draco Rosa and Desmond Child.
In addition to a second Pepsi television commercial ``Monitors,'' Martin will also appear in a major print, radio and in-store advertising campaign. The U.S. Latino advertising was created by Dallas-based agency Dieste & Partners.
In addition, the company has signed on as a main sponsor of Ricky Martin's North American tour, slated to kickoff next week in Miami, Fla.
Pepsi-Cola Company, headquartered in Purchase, N.Y., is the global beverage division of PepsiCo, Inc. (NYSE: PEP - news). Its brands in the United States include Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Pepsi One, Mountain Dew, Slice, Mug, All Sport Body Quencher and Aquafina. The company also makes and markets ready- to-drink iced teas and coffees, respectively, via joint ventures with Lipton and Starbucks.
Taken
from PRNewswire
October 7, 1999
Ricky Martin
was one of the award-winning artists honored for excellence in music on
the World Wide Web and for being top in the category of Favourite Male,
according to fans.
This was announcend
during the first annual ARTISTdirect Online Music Awards held at the House
of Blues.
The ARTISTdirect Online Music Awards were designed to recognize excellence in music on the World Wide Web as determined by fans. Nominations for the Awards, which ranged from Favorite Hip-Hop Artist to Best Unsigned Artist Site, were based on a variety of factors, including feedback from music industry professionals and an analysis of the most searched-for sites on the UBL.com, a part of the ARTISTdirect Network. The winners of each Award were then determined by fans that submitted their votes on the UBL.com.
Other winning arrtists include Korn, Madonna,the Backstreet Boys, Sugar Ray, The Offspring, Eminem, Limp Bizkit, the Beastie Boys and Nine Inch Nails.
Taken
from Entertainment Wire
Clariti Telecommunications International, Ltd. (OTC:CLRI - news; ``Clariti´´) today announced that its business unit, Clariti IP Services, has been awarded a contract by AGH International Group, Inc. (``AGHI´´) for the worldwide distribution rights to supply telecommunications and prepaid phone cards of Ricky Martin and MDO, previously known as Menudo. As part of the agreement, Clariti IP Services will promote sales of the official Ricky Martin and MDO phone cards on the Clariti IP website.
The Ricky Martin and MDO phone cards will be marketed and distributed by AGHI through major retailers and distributors in the United States, followed by global distribution in the near future. A full global marketing campaign will be developed, for additional markets which have displayed a very strong interest in Ricky Martin and MDO, including Mexico, South America, Puerto Rico, and China.
In a special promotion, more than 100,000 MDO cards will be produced, and will be distributed in a commemorative magazine and at other promotional events. The commemorative magazine is being offered at the NASCAR Winston Cup and Busch Series Races at the Homestead - Miami Speedway on November 11-14. MDO will be singing the National Anthem to open the Winston Cup race on Sunday and Clariti's logo will be on the race jackets worn by MDO during the Anthem. Clariti will be creating the poly bags that every commemorative magazine will be encased in and will have the Clariti name, logo and other Clariti IP promotions on the bag. In addition, to the NASCAR event, MDO will make an exclusive appearance at the Clariti IP booth at the Intelecard Show in November to sign autographs and promote the sales of the cards.
Eric Fixler, President of Clariti IP, said, ``We are very excited that Clariti IP has been awarded the contract by AGHI to supply phone cards and telecommunications for the Ricky Martin and MDO phone card series. AGHI has provided us with the opportunity to extend our phone cards into new markets and we look forward to the continued growing demand that this program is expected to generate.´´
Both of these artists are among the most popular Latin recording acts in the world and have achieved great success and global appeal. Domestic and international points of distribution have been established in a number of the markets that these artists have large followings including the U.S., Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean and South America.
Taken
from Business Wire
* BEST MALE
* BEST POP
This year's
show will take place in Dublin, Ireland on 11th November, 1999, hosted
by Ronon Keating.
The broadcast
date and time will be released shortly.
Taken from www.mtv.com
Fans went loco
for heartthrob Ricky Martin last night (September 22, 1999), screaming
and crying and offering to marry him.
Everyone from
teenyboppers to married mamas to gushing grannies was swept up in Martin
Mania as the lava-hot Latino performed a concert at The Theater at Madison
Square Garden.
Martin mesmerized
the masses from the minute he stepped onstage and instructed them to swivel
their hips - a la "Ricky style."
"It's very easy if you have a heart and soul," he cooed to the crowd. "Don't be afraid. Enjoy it. It's in your blood."
The black-clad
singer opened with his hit "Living La Vida Loca" (Living The Crazy Life),
backed by sexy go-go dancers.
As if that
weren't enough to drive the fans wild, Martin started to take off his black
leather jacket - and pandemonium reigned.
Caroline Roman, 21, of Corona, Queens, said she had been a fan since she was 12 and Martin was in the Puerto Rican boy band Menudo.
"I love his rhythm. I love his smile. I love his body. I love everything about him," she gushed.
Theresa Darvito, 31, of Orange, N.J., said, "He's a hot Latino. He makes me loca."
The concert by the superstar, who picked up five MTV statues for "Loca," was sponsored by WKTU-FM.
The station
stepped in after tickets for Martin's shows at the Garden on Oct. 28-29
sold out in minutes, preventing thousands of his fans from seeing him.
The 5,600
fans who attended won their tickets through a WKTU call-in contest, some
getting relatives to call for them, others programming their cell phones
to call in at the right time.
"I love him. I think Ricky is fantastic," said Susan Rexing, 19, of Glen Cove., L.I.
"If I would I ever get the chance to talk to Ricky, I would definitely ask him to marry me."
Her 15-year-old sister, Sally, who was wearing a black Ricky Martin T-shirt, said her room is covered with posters of the 27-year-old pop sensation.
"If I ever got the chance to talk to him, I would propose to him, too" she said.
Pat Depaoris, 35, of Staten Island, added, "He's got good moves. He's good-looking and sexy."
Lisa Vidal, 31, of Brooklyn, agreed.
"I'm in love with his Spanish-speaking voice. His English is OK, but his Spanish is sexy."
Mary Heaton, 45, a Milford, Pa., mother of grown kids, thought that Martin was "very sexy."
"He's gorgeous. He's all that - all the way from shaking his behind to his music," she said.
Ten-year-old Amanda Marinelli, who came with her mother from West Nyack, N.Y., went one further, saying that Martin is "very, very, very sexy."
Amanda brought a teddy bear to give to the superstar.
Heather Droz, 29, of Middlesex, N.J., brought her daughter Caitlin Torres, 8.
Even star Rosie
O'Donnell, who introduced Martin to the masses, said he's made her reconsider
who she thinks is the sexiest guy alive.
Known for
carrying a torch for actor Tom Cruise, O'Donnell called Martin "cuter"
and told fans, "He can move a little better, don't you think?!"
Taken from New York Post
Ricky Martin:
The Official Video Collection will be released in Australia next month,
11th October.
This video will include the following film clips:
- Livin' La
Vida Loca (English Version)
- She's All
I Ever Had (English Version)
- La Bomba
- Perdido
Sin Tí
- Livin' La
Vida Loca (Spanish Version)
- Vuelve
- María
(Spanglish Version)
- Bella (She's
All I Ever Had) (Spanish Version)
- The Cup
Of Life (Live Grammy Performance)
(The
Official Song Of The World Cup, France '98)
So all you Ricky fanatics, be sure to get a copy of this video. Available from your nearest HMV, Sanity and other good music stores from 25th October.
