Tony Melendez and his Toe Jam Band perform Sunday evening at St. Raphael Catholic Church in Bay Village. (West Life photo by Larry Bennet)

Papal embrace launched musical mission for Melendez
By Kevin Kelley
Bay Village
Published April 4, 2007

The date is engraved in Tony Melendez’ memory. Sept. 15, 1987.

Born without arms because his mother took the drug Thalidomide during her pregnancy, Melendez had been active in Catholic music ministries in Los Angeles when he was invited to perform for Pope John Paul II during a U.S. visit.

Melendez, who had learned to play the guitar with his feet, sang and played “Never Be the Same” for the pope. Afterward, a visibly moved John Paul unexpectedly sprang from his chair to embrace Melendez.

Only 25 years old at the time, Melendez has since traveled across the U.S. and to 27 other nations, performing and spreading his motivational message.

Melendez performed in concert Sunday evening at St. Raphael Catholic Church in Bay Village. On Monday he performed for the students of St. Raphael School and the Parish School of Religion.

“It was a great way to start Holy Week,” said the Rev. Tim Gareau, pastor of St. Raphael Parish.

Melendez has been traveling more in Latin America in recent years. Media retrospectives of John Paul’s life broadcast after his death that included Melendez’ performance have gained him increased popularity among Spanish audiences, he said.

“I don’t even think he realized what he started,” Melendez said of his papal encounter. “It’s been kind of like a wave that kept going through the years.”

He said he’s grateful that his performances, which show that a man without arms can live a happy, successful life, can inspire young people to look beyond obstacles in their lives.

“When (John Paul) kissed me, he gave me two things,” Melendez said. “Maybe not verbally. But he gave me a little bit of his notoriety, and he gave me a little bit of his responsibility. So I want to help out with the church and help him spread God’s word and God’s love.”

Melendez and his Toe Jam Band perform between 10 and 25 concerts a month, both on the road and in Branson, Mo., where he has lived for the past eight years.

“You can hear everything from ‘La Bamba’ to The Lord’s Prayer,” Melendez said of his concerts.

Melendez said his own musical influences are Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins and Dan Fogelberg.

His concerts for young people are a lot more animated than those for adults, Melendez said. “The roars of the young people seem to be louder,” he said.

Terri Telepak, a pastoral associate at St. Raphael who organized Melendez’ appearance, has known the Nicaraguan native for 15 years.

Telepak, who previously worked in youth ministry at the Catholic bishops’ national headquarters in Washington, D.C., crossed paths with Melendez at various events, including several World Youth Day events, the religious festivals originated by Pope John Paul.

“Tony and I would be at the same venue for many events,” Telepak said.

Telepak said that while many people who first meet Melendez focus on his disability, she has gotten to know him personally, as a husband to wife Lynn and a father to two adopted children.

“When you get to know him, you find a regular guy that wanted to fall in love, wanted to be a dad,” Telepak said. ”And he did that.”

On the Net:

• Tony Melendez' Official Site
• St. Raphael Catholic Church, Bay Village