Draft:Ricky Maravilla

Aguirre had originally trained in electronics and communications, and at one point had work prospects in Australia. He later said that he did not initially plan to become a singer, but instead a technician.^[4][2] After adolescence he had to choose between continuing his technical career and signing a recording contract with his group Maravilla Tropical; he chose music and adopted his stage name from the group's name.^[1][4]

During the 1980s, Maravilla became associated with the growth of the Argentine movida tropical. Early in the decade he recorded "Cuide bien a su marido", which gave him his first television appearances.^[1] In 1986, while recording for Leader Music, he released "El Hombre Gato", which became his first major success in northern Argentina. It was followed by "La pelea del siglo", a song framed as an allegory of the struggle between good and evil.^[1]

In 1988, he released Salvaje, issued by Leader Music, one of the labels associated with the Argentine bailantero scene. Its lead single, "Salvaje, soy salvaje", written by Rodolfo Garavagno, helped widen his audience in discos and dance venues. Other songs from the album included "Camarón", "El Gallo y la Pata" and "Caramelo de Limón".^[1] The success of the album led to more performances in the Greater Buenos Aires area, and in the summer of 1989 he debuted in Punta del Este, Uruguay.^[1]

At the time, Maravilla was also a featured performer on a widely watched Canal 13 television programme devoted to cumbia and guaracha rhythms, hosted by Adolfo Casini and Sandra Smith, alongside artists such as Adrián y Los Dados Negros, Alcides, Gladys "La Bomba Tucumana", Lía Crucet, Los Dinos and Grupo Malagata.^[1] The music video for "Salvaje, soy salvaje" circulated widely in Argentina and helped increase his national profile.^[1]

In 1989, songwriter Fabio Espinosa composed "Qué tendrá el petiso" for Maravilla; the song became a national hit and consolidated his popularity.^[1][2] His repertoire also drew on songs by composers such as Rodolfo Garavagno, Henry Nelson, Miguel Ángel Escalante, Nazareno, Fabio Espinosa and Taco Morales.^[1]

In 1995, he received a Konex Award for his work during the previous decade as a singer in the bailanta/cuarteto field.^[3]

In 1999, Maravilla announced that he would run for mayor of Salta as a Peronist candidate in the 9 May elections.^[5] He later withdrew from the race before election day.^[6]

• Extermineitors IV: Como hermanos gemelos (1992) – himself