Born in Lizzano, Apulia, Cavallo spent his childhood in Turin, where his family had moved.

[1] At 17 years old he moved back in Apulia, where he started performing as a singer, and shortly later he moved to Rome, where he began his professional career.

[1] In 1980, Cavallo released his first record, the concept album Siamo meridionali, which received large critical acclaim.

[1][2] Active as a songwriter for other artists, his collaborations include work Mia Martini, Zucchero Fornaciari, Ornella Vanoni, Gianni Morandi, Loredana Bertè and Fiorella Mannoia.

[1][2] He composed "Ma che storia è questa", the theme song of the RAI television program La storia d'Italia a fumetti by Enzo Biagi.