Tributes have been paid following the death of The Mavericks’ frontman Raul Malo aged 60.
The singer’s wife, Betty, confirmed on her husband’s social media that he died on Monday night (December 8).
She wrote: “He was called to do another gig – this time in the sky – and he’s flying high like an eagle. No one embodied life and love, joy and passion, family, friends, music and adventure the way our beloved Raul did.
“Now he will look down on us with all that heaven will allow, lighting the way and reminding us to savor every moment.”
Malo had been undergoing treatment for cancer, first announcing that he’d been diagnosed with colon cancer in June 2024, leading the band to cancel several shows later that year.
He then revealed earlier this year that he had leptomeningeal disease, a complication where cancer spreads to the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The band cancelled all concerts for the rest of the year as a result.
Malo was hospitalised on December 4, the day before the first of two tribute shows for The Mavericks, which he was originally scheduled to attend. The tribute shows went ahead at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on December 5 and 6.
The singer’s Mavericks bandmates also paid to their singer, describing him as “a force of human nature, with an infectious energy” and describing him as an “unrivalled, generational talent”.
They added: “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. His contributions to American and Latin music will be everlasting, as his songs and voice touched fans and fellow artists around the world.”
Percy Cardona, the band’s touring accordionist, paid a tribute of his own, writing: “There is nothing I can really say about this man that people who were touched by him don’t already know. As a wordsmith, I have no words.”
Singer Chris Isaak posted two photos of them together, writing: “It hurts to lose a friend and a hero…but he left us a treasure of music that lives on.”
Country artist Ricky Valido shared a photo of himself with Malo, writing: “I don’t even know where to begin. Your voice, your presence, your spirit … it changed me. As a young Cuban American kid in Miami dreaming of country music, I didn’t always see myself reflected in the world I loved. But hearing you … watching you … showed me that our roots, our stories, our raíces had a place in this music too.”
Musician and producer Shooter Jennings – son of country icons Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter – wrote on X (Twitter): “Rest in peace Raul Malo! I loved the Mavericks. We got to hang many times and I used to tell him how much I went crazy for his version of ‘Us and Them’. A performer and craftsman of the highest order.”
Rest in peace Raul Malo! I loved the Mavericks. We got to hang many times and I used to tell him how much I went crazy for his version of “Us and Them”. A performer and craftsman of the highest order.
— Shooter Jennings (@shooterjennings) December 9, 2025
Fans also paid their respects, on commenting on Instagram: “The angel of music and dance – we will miss you so your beautiful wife and sons are in my heart. This loss of you leaves the world with tears.”
Another said: “He was a treasure on earth … now an angel in Heaven. Rest in peace Raul. I was truly blessed to have seen you in concert four times!”
Replying to The Mavericks, another wrote: “A true showman. He stayed til the last ovation from these final two shows were over, took his final bow and said thank you, goodnight. We love you Raul. We love you, Mavericks family. Deepest condolences.”
Malo was born on August 7, 1965 to Cuban parents in Miami, and founded The Mavericks in 1989 with bass guitarist Robert Reynolds. They released their self-titled debut album the following year, and recorded five albums in total before disbanding in 2000. They reunited again in 2003 for another album, and then again in 2011.
The Mavericks have charted 15 times on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, with their highest position being Number 13, for ‘All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down’ in 1996. Their most successful song in the UK was 1998’s ‘Dance The Night Away’, which reached Number Four on the UK Singles Chart.
Their mix of country, rock, pop, Latin and Tejano saw them win one Grammy Award, two Country Music Association awards, and three Academy of Country Music awards.
Malo is survived by Betty, their sons, Max, Vincent and Dino, his mother Norma, and a sister, Carol.
