Fan Club Oficial de La Pandilla

Fan Club Oficial de La Pandilla, Spanish teen group active with two different formations from 1970-77.  Members from 1970-73 included brothers Santiago and Mari Nieves Martínez de Aguirre, cousing Blanca Ruiz, and second set of brothers Juan Carlos and Javier Martínez.  Members from 1974-77 included Blanca and Javier plus new members Gaby Jiménez, and twin brothers Rubén and Javi Fernández.  The group became popular in Spain with their hit single Capitán de Madera composed for them by Juan Pardo in 1970.  With hit singles El Alacrán and Happy from their 1974 LP, the group conquered America, beginning with Puerto Rico, and following with the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Mexico, and others.  Edgardo Díaz, who will become Menudo's founder and manager, managed the group from 1974-76.  However, the big boom in sales and popularity in America came thanks to mega producer and promoter Alfred D. Herger who also produced two movies for them and managed them from 1976-77.