Page "Ricky Martin" Paragraph 4

Martin grew up in a Roman Catholic home and was an altar boy throughout his childhood.

He began singing at age six, using wooden kitchen spoons as pretend microphones ; he often interpreted songs by Menudo as well as English-language rock groups such as Led Zeppelin, Journey, and REO Speedwagon.

His mother's side of the family was musically inclined and his maternal grandfather was a poet, which inspired young Martin to write songs.

Martin later reflected on his time spent with his family as a child: " Every time I find myself in front of an audience, be it twenty people or one hundred thousand, once again I feel the energy that consumed me back at the family gatherings of my youth.

" After discovering a newspaper advertisement about auditions for commercials with his father, nine-year-old Martin began appearing in Puerto Rican television commercials for products such as soft drinks, toothpaste, and fast-food restaurants.

In a year and a half, he starred in eleven commercials.