Raul Malo, the award-winning singer, songwriter and frontman of The Mavericks, has died at age 60, according to a statement by the band.
Malo passed away on Monday December 8, 2025, following a protracted battle with cancer.
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The musician had publicly disclosed his illness in June 2024 when he was first diagnosed with colon cancer, and later revealed a serious complication in September 2025 when the disease advanced to a rare and aggressive condition affecting the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
In their statement, The Mavericks described Malo as “a force of human nature, with an infectious energy.” They credited him with more than three decades of performances that introduced a unique, multicultural strand of American music to audiences worldwide. “His towering creative contributions and generational talent created the kind of music reaching far beyond America itself,” they said.
Malo’s distinctive, operatic baritone set him apart over the years as the Mavericks delivered hits such as “What a Crying Shame,” “O What a Thrill” and “Here Comes the Rain,” blending elements of country, rock, Tex-Mex and Latin rhythms. Their works earned Grammy awards and a lasting legacy in Americana music.
