Raul Malo, the soulful tenor and frontman of the genre-defying, Grammy-winning band The Mavericks, has died. He was 60.
Malo died Monday night time, 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 therapy for colon most cancers.
In September 2025, Malo mentioned 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 wire.
The analysis pressured The Mavericks to cancel dates with Dwight Yoakam in the midst of a joint tour. Malo left dwelling in Nashville, Tennessee, to hunt therapy in Houston, protecting his followers up to date alongside his well being journey.
“He was referred to as to do one other gig — this time within the sky — and he’s flying excessive like an eagle,” Betty Malo wrote. “No one embodied life and love, pleasure and keenness, household, associates, music, and journey the way in which our beloved Raul did. Now he’ll look down on us with all that heaven will permit, lighting the way in which and reminding us to savor each second.”
Malo’s band praised his deep dedication to the “preservation of the multilingual American musical repertoire” and his steadfast championing of “music training as an inspiration for each youngster throughout America and all through 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 unbiased, 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 family the place we listened to all types of music,” Malo mentioned in a 2020 NPR interview. “I simply bear in mind 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 youngsters, “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 varied iterations over time as some members got here and went. The Mavericks additionally disbanded a few instances. Malo put out a dozen or so solo albums and collaboration initiatives as effectively, 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.
