Posted on 12/09/2025 4:32:29 PM PST by GSWarrior
NEW YORK (AP) — 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, his wife, Betty Malo, posted on his Facebook page. He had been battling cancer. The frontman of The Mavericks had documented his health journey on social media since he disclosed in June 2024 that he was receiving treatment for colon cancer.
In September 2025, Malo said on Instagram that he was battling LMD, or leptomeningeal disease, a rare complication when cancer spreads to membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.
Born Raul Francisco Martínez-Malo Jr. in Miami to Cuban parents, he co-founded The Mavericks in 1989 with drummer Paul Deakin and bass guitarist Robert Reynolds. Their self-titled debut album was released the following year on the independent, Miami-based label Y&T Music.
Some call the band alt-country. Others describe it as Americana, roots, Latin, Tejano or swing. It’s all of the above and more, driven by songs written by Malo, his expansive guitar style and his broad vocal range, from a soaring, velvety baritone to operatic high notes.
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Rest In Peace, Raul.
So sad. What a beautiful voice. Very Roy Orbison-esque.
Raul’s rendition of “Gentle On My Mind” is on my playlist.
Listen to it frequently....Exquisite.
My favorite Here Comes My Baby
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cos9y6Mfv6s&list=RDcos9y6Mfv6s&start_radio=1
Solo or Mavericks, his parade of outstanding songs is truly endless. And with such variety of styles, instruments, original material and covers.
Sad that here we all are on account of his passing, and yet only a couple dozen posts.
180 flip with this classic:
The Mavericks - Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down (Live in Austin, TX)
Patriot, I had a similar experience. The Mavericks were so talented. Their songs connected with you on an emotional, even spiritual level.
Agree, thank you for the links.
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