Fans mourn Raul Malo after the Mavericks singer dies following a severe cancer battle
Raul Malo, the acclaimed frontman of the Mavericks and one of the most recognisable voices in American music, has died at the age of sixty. His wife, Betty Malo, confirmed his death in a heartfelt announcement posted on his Facebook page on Monday night. Malo had been receiving treatment for colon cancer, an illness he revealed publicly in June 2024. As his condition progressed, he chose to document his journey and remained open with fans who followed each update with deep concern and admiration.
In September 2025 he shared that he was confronting leptomeningeal disease, a rare and severe complication that occurs when cancer spreads to the membranes around the brain and spinal cord. The diagnosis forced the Mavericks to withdraw from tour dates with Dwight Yoakam and led Malo to leave his home in Nashville for treatment in Houston. Throughout the ordeal he continued to communicate with supporters who had been by his side throughout his long career.
Betty Malo wrote that her husband had been called to do another gig, one that she described as taking place in the sky. She said he would now fly high like an eagle and watch over those he loved. She spoke of a man who embodied joy, passion, adventure and an unwavering love for music and family. Her tribute captured the warmth and spirit with which he approached both life and performance.
The Mavericks also released a statement honouring Malo’s legacy. They praised his dedication to preserving the multilingual musical traditions that shaped their distinctive sound. They also highlighted his commitment to music education and his belief that every child across the world should have the opportunity to experience creativity through song.
Born Raul Francisco Martinez Malo Junior in Miami to Cuban parents, he grew up in a household where music from many cultures filled the air. That early exposure shaped a career defined by its blend of styles. He co founded the Mavericks in 1989 with Paul Deakin and Robert Reynolds. Their first album came out the following year and began a journey that would see the band defy industry labels and win a Grammy.
Some listeners called their sound alt country while others chose words such as Americana, Latin or roots. Malo’s songwriting, his dynamic guitar work and an extraordinary vocal range that spanned from baritone velvet to operatic heights made the band impossible to categorise. In their early years they played in punk and rock clubs in Miami simply to bring their music to audiences willing to listen.
In a 2020 interview with NPR, Malo said his home life was filled with celebration and music from many cultures. That same year the Mavericks released an all Spanish album titled En Espanol which featured original songs and Latin American classics. Malo also recorded an all Spanish album for children in 2002 with vocals from his wife, his mother and his sister.
The Mavericks experienced several changes in their line up and even disbanded at times but Malo continued to create. He released numerous solo albums as well as collaborative projects that expanded his musical reach. The group went on to release their thirteenth studio album, Moon and Stars, in 2024. Over the course of their career they received a Grammy along with multiple awards from the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.
Malo earned a BMI songwriting award for All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down and received several solo Grammy nominations including recognition for his album Lucky One and his work with the Latin supergroup Los Super Seven.
He is survived by his wife of thirty four years, Betty, their sons Dino, Victor and Max, his mother Norma, his sister Carol and Mavericks bandmates Paul Deakin, Eddie Perez and Jerry Dale McFadden.
His death leaves a significant void in the world of music. Fans and fellow musicians continue to celebrate a voice that blended cultures, honoured tradition and stood apart as one of the most powerful in contemporary American music