Los del Río: The Duo Behind the Macarena

Rafael Ruiz Perdigones and Antonio Romero Monge—childhood friends from Seville whose passion for music changed pop culture.

Early Years & Musical Roots

Born in Dos Hermanas near Seville, the pair grew up with Flamenco, Sevillanas, and Rumba influences. They began performing locally at a young age, developing the vocal blend and style that later defined their sound.

Formation & Path to Stardom

Formed in 1962, they found regional success and appeared on the US Latin charts with A mí me gusta (1993). The worldwide breakthrough arrived with “Macarena,” which reshaped their career trajectory.

The Enduring Legacy

While “Macarena” became their most famous work, Los del Río continued performing and recording for decades. In 2009, Billboard ranked it #1 on its “All Time Latin Songs” list.