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.
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...
RIP
Massive talent.
In addition to the volume of his own work, his many cover versions were right up there or even better than original classics.
One of my fun favorites is an oldie even for the Mavericks:
The Mavericks - Hey Good Lookin’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ursC7ZiQvxI
***
“Crying” performed by Raul Malo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLG0Nk21I_I
Raul Malo: Let It Be Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OULwTgPsQ6Y
They just had a 2-night concert at the Ryman to celebrate his achievements. He was supposed to attend, but ended up at the hospital instead.
How ironic that he had this rich. full, capable voice, and his last name was Malo. which often means “really bad” in Spanish. Actually, his voice was really good. I never heard of him until now.
I saw the Mavericks perform live twice. So good!
Heartbreak.
Never heard of him. Never heard of this guy either:
Rafael Ithier, a beloved musician and a founder of the legendary salsa band El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, whose hits have inspired Bad Bunny and other icons, has died
I remember purchasing The Mavericks first album after I heard “Oh What A Crying Shame” on the way to work one day. There isn’t a single song I didn’t absolutely love on that album. If a CD could be worn through to the other side, I would’ve done it just like my brother did with his 45 of Creedence Clearwater Revival with “ Down On The Corner”. Flip side was “Born On The Bayou”.
It’s heartbreaking that Raul has suffered from this horrible and wicked disease called cancer, and that it has seen to wrest the breath from his earthly body. But the last breath he drew here was the first—without fear or suffering or pain or weeping, he drew in Heaven as he joined countless others in The Presence of Almighty God, singing with that wonderful voice that we who yet wait to join Raul, were so very Blessed with here on earth.
God Bless and Keep his family, his band mates, friends and closest and close fans and listeners.
We will miss you, buddy. But hey, not for long.
I’ve watched many concerts from youtube.
They’d upload their entire concerts, without commercials.
I’m not a concert person if for no other reason than I hate crowds and all the hassles, but it’s obvious that their shows were 5 stars all the way.
The accordion players are something else, especially the young guy, so expressive.
Thanks for posting all those links.
Raul Malo and The Mavericks are/were great. It very sad that this happened to him. He’s given the world a lot of great music with skill and a sense of fun.
Oh what a crying shame
The Mavericks - All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down (Live @ Royal Albert Hall)
Mavericks? No idea.
Like I said on the TX message board:
Colon cancer that spread to the spinal cord.
GET THAT COLONOSCOPY DONE, FOLKS - AND SOON.
Agree, a great singer, real loss.
So sad. What a beautiful voice. Very Roy Orbison-esque.
Oh what a thrill
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYHOfd-wP3Y
All in the band had tremendous talent.
But Raul Malo was the keystone that held them all together.
Once you heard his voice it was not forgotten.
RIP
Prayer for family and associates.
Good intro to the Mavericks is from ‘98 in their appearance on the Sessions at West 54th show:
https://youtu.be/82UY0GlOvAk?si=orXV_xDzM9j-CAhs
A short stay with Raul & Jerry Dale McFadden always puts me in a good mood.
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