WAKEFIELD —Ever since that late September day in Los Angeles in 1987, when Pope John Paul II cast aside tradition and any air of formality to jump off the stage to plant a kiss on his cheek, Tony Melendez has been on a mission.
That kiss has taken him around the world to play in front of hundreds of thousands of people in 41 different countries. And last week, it brought him to Southern New England where he held crowds enraptured by the strum of his guitar and the captivating story of his life.
Melendez, who was born without arms in a small town in Mexico, skyrocketed to fame after an awe-inspiring performance during one of Pope John Paul II’s visits to the United States. It was then that Melendez says he was given an unrelenting call.
Even this last week, fighting a fever and teetering on the edge of exhaustion, Melendez played. In between sets he would sleep, tired from his non-stop tour schedule and fighting off a late winter influenza. For many who saw him here, it’s doubtful that they realized his weariness.
That he plays the guitar with his feet is secondary to his pure musical ability. And indeed, if you only heard, and didn’t see Melendez play, you would probably think you were hearing just another talented guitarist sing his praise to the Lord.
But that’s the point. In his own words, Melendez says “In the eyes of the Lord, I’m whole.”
It’s an unmistakable message from an inspired man.
“Ever since I sang for the pope, there’s been this hope stamped to my forehead,” he says. “I’ve sung these songs a gazillion times but he’s the one that touches you.”
Playing in front of a full school assembly at The Prout School in Wakefield last Friday, Melendez and his band engaged the students by quizzing them on the sacraments and bringing them to their feet in dance.
“I love being with the kids because if we don’t start feeding them, they’re not going to go to church,” he said just prior to taking the stage at Prout. “So if they see well, he loves music, he likes Mass, he goes to church, so maybe just by example hopefully they’ll like it too later on.”
Later in the evening, St. Thomas More Church in Narragansett filled with parishioners – the normally quiet pews alive with cheering and applause normally reserved for a rock concert.
“He’s amazing,” said Nicholas Robenhymer, a high school student and parishioner at St. Thomas More. “I really like him. I’ve seen him a couple of times.”
In addition to his two South County stops, Melendez also performed at Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick, St. Eugene Church in Chepachet, and St. Mark Church in Jamestown.
Father Marcel Taillon, pastor of St. Thomas More served as Melendez’s host while the group was in the state. Over the years, the priest has seen firsthand the impact of Melendez’s message.
Speaking after his parish’s evening concert, Father Taillon emphasized the timeliness of Melendez’s message.
“During Lent, we call upon our parishioners to reflect,” he said. “This kind of event really deepens their faith.”
Playing alongside two other band members, Melendez weaves ministry with music. He puts the “Hail Mary” to song, implores listeners to quiet their minds, and reminds parishioners to use their vocal chords.
Throughout it all, Melendez harbors an undeniable adoration for the man who he said brought the church to the world. Drawing heavily on the legacy of Pope John Paul II, part of the genius of Melendez’s work is his accessibility. Youth, individuality and perseverance are all common themes.
“When the pope jumped off that stage, it pretty much changed our lives,” said Jose Melendez, Tony’s brother and manager.
Indeed there is little that Melendez, who is married with two adopted children, cannot do. He drives, writes and turn pages of books with his feet. Early on in his New England swing, at St. Mary’s School in Westfield, MA, he threw a Frisbee from half court landing it into a basketball hoop.
When asked what it was like to have grown up without ever having the utility of hands and arms, he responded matter of factly, “What do you do? You start living.”
