The Mavericks frontman Raul Malo dies at age 60

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 Raul Malo of The Mavericks performs onstage during Day 3 of the 2022 Stagecoach Festival at the Empire Polo Field on May 01, 2022 in Indio, California. (Credit: Rich Fury/Getty Images for Stagecoach)

NEW YORK - Raul Malo, the frontman of the Grammy-winning band The Mavericks, has died. He was 60 years old.

His band, along with his wife, Betty Malo, confirmed the news on social media. 

Raul Malo, The Mavericks frontman, dies

What they're saying:

"He was called to do another gig — this time in the sky — and he’s flying high like an eagle," Betty Malo wrote. "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."

The Mavericks also wrote in a statement, "Anyone with the pleasure of being in Raul’s orbit knew that he was a force of human nature, with an infectious energy. 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 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."

Raul Malo's cancer battle

The backstory:

Malo had been battling cancer and had documented his health journey on social media since he disclosed in June 2024 that he was receiving treatment for colon cancer.

In September 2025, Malo said on Instagram that he was battling LMD, or leptomeningeal disease, a rare complication when cancer spreads to membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.

The diagnosis forced The Mavericks to cancel dates with Dwight Yoakam in the middle of a joint tour. Malo left home in Nashville, Tennessee, to seek treatment in Houston, keeping his fans updated along his health journey.

Legacy of Raul Malo

Big picture view:

Born Raul Francisco Martínez-Malo Jr. in Miami to Cuban parents, he co-founded The Mavericks in 1989 with drummer Paul Deakin and bass guitarist Robert Reynolds.

The band has taken on various iterations over the years as some members came and went. The Mavericks also disbanded a couple of times. Malo put out a dozen or so solo albums and collaboration projects as well, including his instrumental "Say Less," "You’re Only Lonely" and "Sinners & Saints."

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The Mavericks released their 13th studio album, "Moon & Stars," in 2024. Between that and their debut, the band received a Grammy, two Country Music Association awards and three Academy of Country Music Awards.

Raul has a BMI award for songwriting, for "All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down," and was nominated for several solo Grammys, including one for his album "Lucky One" and another for his work with the Latin supergroup "Los Super Seven."

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Betty; sons Dino, Victor, and Max, mother Norma, sister Carol, and Mavericks bandmates Paul Deakin, Eddie Perez, and Jerry Dale McFadden.