Raul Malo, Grammy-winning American singer, dies at 60

Raul Malo, the celebrated vocalist, guitarist and chief songwriter has died at the age of 60. 

Malo is popularly known for being the front man of the genre-blending band The Mavericks.

The band confirmed on Monday, December 8, that the Grammy-winning musician passed away from cancer, sharing the news in a heartfelt statement on social media.

“Anyone with the pleasure of being in Raul’s orbit knew that he was a force of human nature, with an infectious energy,” The Mavericks wrote on Instagram. 

They credited his more than three-decade career with shaping “multicultural American music reaching far beyond America itself,” praising his unmatched talent and global influence.

Born Raul Martínez-Malo Jr. on August 7, 1965, in Miami, the singer co-founded The Mavericks in 1989. 

The group released its self-titled debut album a year later, eventually signing with MCA Nashville. 

The lineup, Malo, bassist Robert Reynolds, drummer Paul Deakin and guitarist David Lee Holt, found chart success with their 1992 album From Hell to Paradise. 

Their cover of Hank Williams’ “Hey Good Lookin’” became the first of 15 Mavericks tracks to enter Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.

Beyond his work with the band, Malo also performed with Los Super Seven, further cementing his reputation as a versatile and soulful voice in American music.

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