RIP…Remembering Raul Malo of the Mavericks
By: Debbie Brautman | Photos: Jay Skolnick
The music world suffered a tremendous loss when Raul Malo passed away from cancer on December 8, 2025, at the young age of 60. Raul, the Cuban American musician who began his music career in Miami, had a big love of country music. He was brought up listening to Patsy Cline, Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, The Beatles and Afro-Cuban influences. He incorporated all of those influences into the superb Americana band he co-founded in 1989, The Mavericks. Rich Ulloa of Miami-based Y&T Music released their self-titled debut album in 1990. You might have been lucky enough to catch them play Churchill’s Pub or Tobacco Road in Miami before The Mavericks left for Nashville and the big-time success that followed. In 1991, Malo, with the voice of an angel, sang straight from his heart. When the Mavericks played the Ace of Clubs in Nashville, they were signed on the spot by MCA Nashville. They blended rock & roll, country, and R&B with Cuban rhythms, Tex-Mex twang, Jamaican ska and other Latin influences, and they made it their own. They are Americana at its finest, and they racked up Grammys, ACM and CMA Awards. Their 1994 song, “What a Crying Shame” is one of the best country songs ever. It showcased Raul’s extraordinary vocals that have been compared to Roy Orbison in beauty and quality. In addition to being such a special vocalist, songwriter and musician, he was a commanding performer.
Raul was also a great person, so caring and genuine. It is a heartbreaking loss to his family, friends and legions of fans. He valiantly fought colon cancer and its complications, developing a rare cancer of the brain and spinal cord. A recent Facebook video of him, as sick as he was, dancing with his loving wife, Betty, was so touching. To watch it breaks your heart. In a post, announcing his death, Betty wrote, “He was called to do another gig - this time in the sky – and he’s flying high like an eagle.” His band added, “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’ concerts were always a special event, and he valiantly soldiered on to the end, never losing his love of music. Their last album Moon & Stars was released in 2024. He is survived by his wife; their three sons, Dino, Victor and Max; his mother, Norma; his sister, Carol; and his longtime bandmates. He will be sorely missed but his music will live on.
