Adios amigo Malo
View(s):By Sanath Weerasuriya
Raul Malo, the charismatic frontman and powerhouse voice behind the Grammy-winning Latin–country band ‘The Mavericks’, passed away on Monday, 8 December, at the age of 60. As the band’s founding vocalist and creative heartbeat since 1989, Malo helped shape a sound that resonated across the Americas, Europe and even Asia, earning the group a devoted global following.
Raul Malo in action
Malo’s fusion of Latin rhythm and country soul helped build a worldwide fan base and transform ‘The Mavericks’ into a genre-bending phenomenon. From Miami to Mexico, and from Nashville to Colombo, the band grew from its 1989 beginnings into one of the most influential cross-genre acts across both sides of the Atlantic and beyond, a legacy that continues even in December 2025.
The band announced the news on Tuesday via their official Instagram account. ‘It is with the deepest grief that we share the passing of our friend, bandmate and brother, Raul Malo,” the statement read. “Anyone who had the pleasure of being in Raul’s orbit knew he was a force of human nature, with an infectious energy. Over more than three decades of entertaining millions around the globe, his towering creative contributions and unrivalled, generational talent helped shape a multicultural American sound that reached far beyond America itself’.
Raul Francisco Martínez-Malo Jr. (August 7, 1965 – December 8, 2025) was born in Miami to Cuban immigrant parents. He spent much of his adult life in Nashville, Tennessee, where he had lived since 1993.
‘The Mavericks’ were founded in Miami in 1989 by Malo, together with bassist Robert Reynolds and drummer Paul Deakin. The original lineup featured Raul Malo (lead vocals, guitar), Paul Deakin (drums), Robert Reynolds (bass guitar) and Ben Peeler (lead guitar). The current lineup includes Paul Deakin, Eddie Perez, Jerry Dale McFadden and of course, Malo himself.
The Mavericks’ evergreen hits include ‘All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down’ (1995), ‘Dance the Night Away’ (1998), ‘Back in Your Arms Again’ (2013), ‘Here Comes the Rain’ (1995), ‘The Bottle Let Me Down’ (1998), ‘Rolling Along’ (2017), ‘As Long as There’s Loving Tonight’ (2013), ‘Born to Be Blue’ (2013), ‘Gentle on My Mind’ (2023), ‘O What a Thrill’(1994), ‘Live Close By’ (2024), ‘Pretend’ (1994) and ‘Ride with Me’ (2017).
The band has charted 15 times on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart; their highest-peaking single, ‘All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down’, a collaboration with accordionist Flaco Jiménez, reached No. 13 in 1996. Three of their singles made the top 10 in Canada, while ‘Dance the Night Away’ became a major hit in the United Kingdom in 1998. Their most commercially successful album, ‘What a Crying Shame’, is certified platinum in the United States and double platinum in Canada. Over the years, the band has earned numerous accolades, including one Grammy Award, two Country Music Association awards and three Academy of Country Music awards.
Their distinctive sound draws from a wide range of influences outside traditional country, including Tejano, Latin and Americana, all amplified by Malo’s unmistakable voice.
The Mavericks
Malo was first diagnosed with colon cancer in June 2024. His health struggles became public in September that year when he revealed he was battling leptomeningeal disease (LMD). In September 2025, he cancelled his remaining tour dates as his condition worsened.
On December 4, 2025, Malo was hospitalized, just one day before the first of two tribute concerts he and his family had planned to attend. Despite his absence, both shows proceeded as scheduled at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium on December 5 and 6. On December 6, his Mavericks bandmates visited him in the hospital, where they performed one final “concert” for him—a moment his wife later shared in a touching video on Instagram.
Malo’s wife, Betty, also paid tribute to him in a heartfelt post, revealing that he passed away on Monday night. ‘No one embodied life and love, joy and passion, family, friends, music and adventure the way our beloved Raul did’ she wrote.
Raul Malo and his wife, Betty, were married for 34 years, and she remained by his side throughout his cancer battle. He is survived by his wife; their three sons, Dino, Victor and Max; his mother, Norma; and his sister, Carol.
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