Raul Malo, Legendary Voice of The Mavericks, Dies at 60 After Cancer Battle
“Anyone with the pleasure of being in Raul’s orbit knew that he was a force of human nature, with an infectious energy.”
Photo Courtesy of The Mavericks
Raul Malo of The Mavericks passed away on Monday, Dec. 8 at the age of 60 following a battle with cancer. Fans and fellow musicians alike are mourning the loss of the iconic singer, songwriter, and bandleader.
The Mavericks shared a heartfelt post in his honor early Tuesday, remembering him as a “force of human nature” and praising the “infectious energy” he brought to both life and the stage.
“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,” the band wrote, noting how his work transcended genres, cultures, and generations.
They continued, detailing the impact of his artistry: “While his spirited performances garnered a massive & loyal following, and his powerful songwriting and musicianship earned multiple Grammy, ACM, and CMA awards, it was his lifelong commitment to the preservation of the multi-lingual American musical repertoire of which he was most proud. He made history in 2020 with the first album ever to debut at the top of both the Latin Pop and Folk-Americana charts.”
The post went on to highlight his dedication beyond the stage: “It was this commitment, along with his steadfast championing of music education as an inspiration for every child across America and throughout the world, for which Raul was honored with the Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and the National Music Council of the United States’ American Eagle Award.”
The band concluded with a moving sentiment: while Raul’s body may no longer be here, his spirit and music will continue to touch lives across the globe.
“His contributions to American and Latin music will be everlasting, as his songs and voice touched fans and fellow artists around the world.”
Raul Malo is survived by his devoted wife of 34 years, Betty; his sons Dino, Victor, and Max; his mother, Norma; his sister, Carol; and his fellow Mavericks bandmates, Paul Deakin, Eddie Perez, and Jerry Dale McFadden.
The family expresses their gratitude to fans for all the love and support and kindly asks for privacy during this difficult time.
Country artists also paid tribute to Raul on social media, with Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild writing, “What a voice. 💔 So very sorry for your loss,” and Jake Owen adding, “One of the BEST EVER.”
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
You may also like
Country Next
Playlist
On Repeat
Get the latest country music news delivered straight to your inbox.
