Country singer Raul Malo dies aged 60 after cancer fight

Raul Malo, the Grammy Award-winning lead singer of US band The Mavericks, has died aged 60 following a battle with cancer.

His wife, Betty Malo, confirmed his death on Monday in a tribute shared on social media. Malo was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2024 and later revealed he had developed leptomeningeal disease, a rare condition in which cancer spreads to the tissue surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

In her message, Betty Malo described her husband as someone who embodied “life and love, joy and passion, family, friends, music and adventure”. She thanked fans for their support throughout his illness and shared his farewell words in Spanish, thanking supporters for their love.

Born Raul Francisco Martínez-Malo Jr in Miami to Cuban parents, he co-founded The Mavericks in 1989 alongside drummer Paul Deakin and bassist Robert Reynolds. The band released their debut album the following year on independent Miami label Y&T Music.

In September, Malo announced that all remaining 2025 tour dates had been cancelled after his health took a turn. He said his treatment would include radiation, followed by chemotherapy and possible alternative therapies.

The Mavericks released their 13th studio album, Moon & Stars, in 2024. Over their career, the band won one Grammy Award, two Country Music Association awards and three Academy of Country Music Awards.

Malo also received a BMI award for songwriting for ‘All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down’ and earned several solo Grammy nominations, including for his album Lucky One and for his work with the Latin supergroup Los Super Seven.

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