Raul Malo, the lead singer and songwriter of the innovative Latin-country band The Mavericks, has died, the band announced Tuesday on social media. He was 60.
“Anyone with the pleasure of being in Raul’s orbit knew that he was a force of human nature, with an infectious energy,” the band wrote in an extensive post on Instagram. “Over a career of more than three decades entertaining millions around the globe, his towering creative contributions and unrivaled, generational talent created the kind of multicultural American music reaching far beyond America itself.”
In a Facebook post, Malo’s wife, Betty, noted that he died Monday evening. “No one embodied life and love, joy and passion, family, friends, music, and adventure the way our beloved Raul did,” she wrote. “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 death comes a year after the singer was diagnosed with colon cancer. Despite the diagnosis, he and the band continued to perform until September, when he announced that he had developed leptomeningeal disease and that they’d have to cancel their remaining concerts.
“But I want to let everybody know, I am in no way alone, or scared,” Malo wrote at the time. “I have an amazing wife and boys, wonderful family, team, road crew, band, friends and fans. I don’t even have enough words to describe the love and support that I’m getting right now.”
Malo was born in 1965 in Miami to Cuban immigrant parents. He co-founded the Mavericks alongside drummer Paul Deakin and bassist Robert Reynolds in 1989, and a year later, they released their self-titled debut before subsequently signing a record deal with MCA Nashville. Led by Malo, The Mavericks were defined by his dynamic, versatile voice, bringing elements of rock and latin into the country scene of the 1990s.
The band earned its first platinum album in 1994 with their third album, What a Crying Shame, with Malo co-writing every song on the record. The album’s eponymous hit was nominated for a Grammy for best country performance by a duo or group with vocal.
The Mavericks won their only Grammy a year later in the same category for their hit “Here Comes the Rain” off their fourth album, Music for All Occasions, which was also nominated for country album of the year. The band earned two more Grammy nominations for best Americana album in 2015 and 2017 for their albums Mono and Brand New Day.
In addition to his wife, survivors include their children, Dino, Victor and Max; his mother, Norma; and his sister, Carol.
“Though his earthly body may have passed, Raul’s spirit will live on forever in heaven, and here on earth through the music, joy, and light he brought forth,” the band said. “His contributions to American and Latin music will be everlasting, as his songs and voice touched fans and fellow artists around the world.”
