Raul Malo, the soulful tenor and frontman of the genre-defying, Grammy-winning band The Mavericks, has died. He was 60.
Malo died Monday evening, his spouse, Betty Malo, posted on his Facebook web page. He had been battling most cancers. The frontman of The Mavericks had documented his well being journey on social media since he disclosed in June 2024 that he was receiving remedy for colon most cancers.
In September 2025, Malo stated on Instagram that he was battling LMD, or leptomeningeal illness, a uncommon complication when most cancers spreads to membranes that encompass the mind and spinal twine.
The analysis pressured The Mavericks to cancel dates with Dwight Yoakam in the course of a joint tour. Malo left residence in Nashville, Tennessee, to hunt remedy in Houston, protecting his followers up to date alongside his well being journey.
“He was called to do another gig — this time in the sky — and he’s flying high like an eagle,” Betty Malo wrote. “No one embodied life and love, joy and passion, family, friends, music, and adventure the way our beloved Raul did. Now he will look down on us with all that heaven will allow, lighting the way and reminding us to savor every moment.”
Malo’s band praised his deep dedication to the “preservation of the multilingual American musical repertoire” and his steadfast championing of “music education as an inspiration for every child across America and throughout the world.”
Born Raul Francisco Martínez-Malo Jr. in Miami to Cuban mother and father, he co-founded The Mavericks in 1989 with drummer Paul Deakin and bass guitarist Robert Reynolds. Their self-titled debut album was launched the next 12 months on the impartial, Miami-based label Y&T Music.
Some name the band alt-country. Others describe it as Americana, roots, Latin, Tejano or swing. It’s the entire above and extra, pushed by songs written by Malo, his expansive guitar fashion and his broad vocal vary, from a hovering, velvety baritone to operatic excessive notes.
His musical prowess was within the mix, additionally incorporating rock, conventional nation and surf. In the early days in Miami, The Mavericks performed punk and rock golf equipment to get their sound on the market.
“I grew up in a household where we listened to all kinds of music,” Malo stated in a 2020 NPR interview. “I just remember it was a celebration of all these cultures.”
At that point, The Mavericks had simply launched an all-Spanish album, “En Español,” that includes authentic songs and basic Latin American requirements. In 2002, Malo launched an all-Spanish album for kids, “el Cancionero de la Familia Volume 1,” that includes vocals from his sister, Carol, spouse, Betty, and mom, Norma, together with different company.
The band has taken on numerous iterations through the years as some members got here and went. The Mavericks additionally disbanded a few occasions. Malo put out a dozen or so solo albums and collaboration tasks as properly, together with his instrumental “Say Less,” “You’re Only Lonely” and “Sinners & Saints.”
The Mavericks launched their thirteenth studio album, “Moon & Stars,” in 2024. Between that and their debut, the band acquired a Grammy, two Country Music Association awards and three Academy of Country Music Awards.
Raul has a BMI award for songwriting, for “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down,” and was nominated for a number of solo Grammys, together with one for his album “Lucky One” and one other for his work with the Latin supergroup “Los Super Seven.”
He is survived by his spouse of 34 years, Betty; sons Dino, Victor, and Max, mom Norma, sister Carol, and Mavericks bandmates Paul Deakin, Eddie Perez, and Jerry Dale McFadden.
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