Raul Malo, the frontman of The Mavericks, has passed away at the age of 60

Raul Malo, the driving force and unmistakable voice behind the country band The Mavericks—and one of the most cherished singers in the world of Americana and roots music—passed away Monday night, the band’s representative confirmed. The acclaimed vocalist and guitarist had been fighting cancer.

His health had declined rapidly over the previous week, leading to his hospitalization and forcing him to miss a weekend of tribute concerts held in his honor at Nashville’s storied Ryman Auditorium. Malo was 60. In a heartfelt statement, his family wrote, “No one embodied life and love, joy and passion, family, friends, music and adventure the way our beloved Raul did.”

The Mavericks also mourned their leader in a social media post, remembering Malo as “a force of human nature” whose exuberant spirit lifted everyone around him. The band noted that over more than three decades onstage, his immense creativity and singular talent helped forge a multicultural vision of American music—one that resonated with listeners far beyond U.S. borders.

Across four decades, The Mavericks consistently lived up to their name, breaking expectations and venturing into sonic territory few country groups dared explore. Much of that adventurous spirit stemmed from Malo himself, shaped by his upbringing as the son of Cuban immigrants in Miami. Speaking on WHYY’s Fresh Air in 1995, he reflected, “I grew up in a very musical household—there was always all kinds of music around. We listened to everything from Hank Williams to Celia Cruz to Sam Cooke to Bobby Darin. It didn’t matter.”

In a 1992 conversation with NPR, Malo admitted that his eclectic influences weren’t always welcomed in South Florida. But that sense of not quite fitting in ultimately taught him to rely on his own instincts. Malo co-founded The Mavericks in 1989 with Robert Reynolds and Paul Deakin, and from the beginning his powerful, expressive voice became the band’s defining center as they shifted from tender ballads to full-throttle rock.

The group reached a major milestone in 1995 with their hit “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down,” a rollicking country tune featuring Tex-Mex accordion legend Flaco Jimenez. As the band grew—both in members and in devoted followers—they continued expanding the possibilities of American music, layering diverse textures, traditions, and stories into their sound. With over a dozen studio albums, they earned accolades from the Academy of Country Music, the Country Music Association, and the Recording Academy. Even during the band’s hiatus, Malo never stopped creating; when he returned, he did so with renewed artistic vigor.

Following their 30th anniversary, The Mavericks released En Español in 2020, their first full-length Spanish album. The project reimagined classic Latin standards and folk-inspired tunes, while subtly underscoring the deep influence of Latin culture on American identity. As Malo told NPR, if their Spanish-language music prompted even one person “on the fence” about cultural issues to appreciate the beauty of the cultures shaping America, “I’m OK with that.”

The Americana Music Association honored The Mavericks with the Trailblazer Award in 2021. Their final studio album, Moon & Stars, arrived in 2024, coinciding with the public announcement of Malo’s cancer diagnosis—a subject he discussed candidly with NPR’s Ayesha Rascoe.

Before he entered the hospital, Malo had been scheduled to perform with the band at two tribute shows at the legendary Ryman Auditorium. Although he was too ill to attend, more than 30 artists—including Patty Griffin, Jim Lauderdale, and Steve Earle—came together to celebrate him, with part of the proceeds supporting Stand Up To Cancer. According to his spokesperson, the Friday performance was streamed directly into Malo’s hospital room so he could watch the event held in his honor.

Raul Malo leaves behind a towering artistic legacy—one built on curiosity, courage, and the unwavering belief that music should follow no boundaries except the truth of the heart. His voice, his spirit, and his passion will continue to echo through generations of listeners and musicians who were moved by his work.