Raul Malo, the beloved frontman of the Mavericks, has sadly lost his fight with cancer, it was announced today
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His Heartbroken Bandmates Shared This Statement on Social Media
They wrote, "It's with the deepest grief we share the passing of our friend, bandmate and brother Raul Malo on December 8th, 2025 at the age of 60. 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 statement added, "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, 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."
It continued, "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 is survived by his loving 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. The family thanks everyone for their love & support, and asks for privacy at this time."
He Had an Extraordinary Career
Per Variety, "Malo co-wrote many of the band's most popular songs...." He dropped a dozen studio LPs with the band and also released nine studio albums on his own. Malo issued the latest one, Moon & Stars, just last year.
Fans Are Grieving the Popular Musician
They weighed in on Reddit with their thoughts on Raul Malo.
"One of the greatest voices of all time."
"Heartbreaking."
"'Dance the Night Away' was the sound of my childhood. It was huge over here."
"Omg this hit me hard. Raul Malo was legit a legend. His voice? Unmatched. Feels like an era just ended, you know? Not just a singer, but a vibe. RIP to the real one."
