Maverick’s Frontman Raul Malo Dead At 60...

Mavericks frontman Raul Malo died Monday at the age of 60 after a battle with Stage 4 colon cancer. Malo’s signature sound defined the band for decades. The group brought Latin flavor and rock energy to country music in the 1990s and collected a number of prestigious music awards. The star’s death was announced by the band Tuesday on social media. “It’s with the deepest grief we share the passing of our friend, bandmate and brother,” the band wrote in their statement. “Anyone with the pleasure of being in Raul’s orbit knew that he was a force of human nature, with an infectious energy.” View this post on Instagram “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’s statement continued. Malo’s cancer diagnosis was known to fans, but his official cause of death was not publicly shared. The Mavericks went on to say, in part: “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.” View this post on Instagram They credited Malo for “making history in 2020 with the first album ever to debut at the top of both the Latin Pop and Folk-Americana charts.” “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 wrote, “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.” View this post on Instagram Malo is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Betty, and their sons Dino, Victor and Max. He is also survived by his mother Norma, sister Carol, and Mavericks bandmates Paul Deakin, Eddie Perez and Jerry Dale McFadden. “The family thanks everyone for their love & support, and asks for privacy at this time,” the band wrote as they signed off. (RELATED: ‘Pearl Harbor’ Star Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa Dead At 75) Malo co-wrote many of the band’s most popular songs including the 2003 hit “In My Dreams,” “What a Crying Shame,” and “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down.” He released nine solo albums and around a dozen studio albums with the Mavericks, the most recent being “Moon & Stars” in 2024.