Raul Malo, the unmistakable voice and frontman of long-running roots band The Mavericks, has died at the age of 60.
A representative for the band confirmed to NPR that Malo passed away Monday night, December 8, after what he called a "private health battle."
Malo had been fighting cancer and was hospitalized in the days leading up to his death. His illness forced him to sit out a series of tribute performances at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium over the weekend.
Formed in 1989, The Mavericks carved out a singular lane in American music under Malo’s leadership. The band became known for blending country, rock, rockabilly, soul, and Latin influences in ways that resisted easy categorization.
Raised in Miami by Cuban immigrant parents, Malo absorbed a wide range of sounds early on—everything from Hank Williams to Celia Cruz—which later became the foundation of the band’s eclectic identity.
That genre-fluid approach helped The Mavericks stand out in the ’90s, when they broke through with songs that combined classic songwriting with infectious rhythms and swagger.
Their 1995 hit “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down,” featuring Tex-Mex accordion icon Flaco Jiménez, remains their most widely recognized track. Over time, the band released more than a dozen studio albums and earned honors from the Academy of Country Music, the Country Music Association, and the Recording Academy.
In 2020, The Mavericks marked another milestone with En Español, their first full-length Spanish-language album. The project revisited Latin standards and underscored Malo’s long-standing commitment to cultural hybridity in American music.
Following his death, The Mavericks shared a tribute honoring their longtime frontman’s impact. In a statement, the band described Malo as “a force of human nature” whose creativity and presence shaped not only their sound but their shared journey. Malo’s family released their own message, celebrating his love for life, family, music, and adventure.