La Pandilla
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La Pandilla was a teen music group of the 1970s. La Pandilla, founded in 1970 by Pepa Aguirre. The group had members of both sexes, unlike most pop music bands.
Aguirre's son and daughter, and her niece, formed the band, and later, two other boys were added to the group. La Pandilla released their first album, Villancicos, late in 1970.
La Pandilla had a big impact in Spain, their home country, and Latin America. During the 1970s, it was common to see La Pandilla related items such as notebooks, posters, magazines, notebook covers, rulers, dolls and others at department stores all over the Spanish speaking countries. La Pandilla was also important in the later success and development of one of history's most legendary boy bands: Menudo. In 1973, the future founder of Menudo, Edgardo Diaz, joined the band's entourage as a sound expert. Diaz turned out to be the bridge between La Pandilla and Puerto Rico. Thanks in part to him, Alfred D. Herger (who became known as the biggest pandillero in Puerto Rico) and Felix Santiesteban, the group became a teen favorite in the Caribbean island. Diaz became manager in 1974. In 1975, the band was received by Puerto Rican fans with a huge ovation at the Iberia Airlines terminal at Luis Munoz Marin International Airport at San Juan. But after Diaz left, to manage Menudo, the band slowly declined in popularity. Many of the members went on to become professionals in other areas.
Band members
- Santi Martinez, son of Pepa Aguirre, now married to famous singer Maria Caneda, executive for Disney music in Spain.
- Nieves Martinez, daughter of Pepa Aguirre, married to an +Iberia Airlines executive.
- Mari Blanca Ruiz Martinez, niece of Pepa Aguirre, now a veterinarian.
- Juan Carlos Martinez, no relation to Santi and Nieves, lived in Puerto Rico many years, has since returned to Spain and works at a professional firm.
- Francisco Javier Martinez, brother of Juan Carlos
- Francisco Javier Lopez, twin brother of Ruben Lopez
- Ruben Lopez, (read above)
- Gabriel Jimenez Gonzalez, Gaby, now a jingles singer in his native country.