The women of Toronto had one thing on their mind at Ricky Martin's club show at The Guvernment Monday night. Knowing little of his personal life, or caring -- it's not like they'll end up with him anyway -- the mainly female crowd screamed at his every bon-bon shake, wishing, just wishing, that this fine specimen of man was theirs for a night.

Backed by a twelve-piece band, Martin ran through "She Bangs," "Loaded," "Nobody Wants to Be Lonely," "Livin' La Vida Loca," "Vuelve," "Amor," "Maria" and "Cup of Life," while the thousand lucky contest winners and those who bought last-minute $10 tickets sang along, danced and snapped pictures.

Changing his shirt almost as many times as there were songs, Martin proved he can captivate an audience without hydraulic lifts, conveyor belts and classic convertible. He told his fans he chose to perform in such an intimate setting -- as he had in Los Angeles, Tokyo, London, Mexico City, Paris and New York -- to "present his albums in a beautiful atmosphere."

To be sure, the Toronto media wasn't as enraptured by this three-day visit as it was in June of 1999, at the height of Rickymania. With no bandwagon to jump now, he enjoyed regular coverage, even if the actual interviewers couldn't contain their own enthusiasm at speaking with a real star, who has sold over 40 million albums worldwide.

His last promotional trip here drew some 10,000 people to a downtown section of Yonge Street just to see him stand on a platform and wave, before disappearing inside Sunrise records for an autograph session. He returned months later to perform two sold-out nights at SkyDome stadium's SkyTent.

While some might say his popularity is waning, it's more likely that Latin music has since become part of the multifarious pop soundscape, and not as curious an "explosion." Either way, when he showed up at music video station MuchMusic on Sunday night for a one-hour interview with VJ Sook-Yin Lee, police officials didn't have to close down that part of Queen Street. But the 500-odd fans that braved the cold were no less dedicated or contained. Some girls had camped out for twenty-four hours and were thus rewarded with a coveted spot inside the television studio. Martin even gave one a hug and kiss when she asked during the break.

During the MuchMusic chat and subsequent interviews for CHUM national radio and television program Canada AM, he revealed that rumors of upcoming film projects, especially the one that pegged him with Natalie Portman in Dirty Dancing 2, are totally false, as is the one about him being afraid of heights (he's a sky-diving enthusiast). He did confirm that Ricky Martin: La Historia, a Spanish-language greatest hits album, is due out shortly.

Martin will be in Europe for promotion, starting March 2nd and then back in North America for an intimate tour by the end of the year.

KAREN BLISS
(February 27, 2001)