Raul Malo Remembered

Raul Malo performing at The Coach House in
San Juan Capistrano on March 24, 2013.
Photo credit: Kelly A. Swift

Like so many music lovers, I was deeply saddened to hear the news yesterday morning that Mavericks lead singer-guitarist Raul Malo passed away at the age of 60 on Monday, December 8. I first caught Malo at a sold-out concert in Santa Ana on Feb. 27, 1995 with The Mavericks, a performance at the Galaxy Concert Theatre that came on the heels of the release of the band's outstanding 1994 album What a Crying Shame. I was an instant fan of the group and over the years I was fortunate to catch Malo with that American troupe (including their celebrated reunion show at the Stagecoach Festival in 2012) as well as when he performed solo. I credit The Mavericks as one of the seminal artists to introduce me to roots and Americana music 30+ years ago.

One of my most memorable appearances by Malo was when The Mavericks tore the roof off at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on March 24, 2013. Check out my review of that show HERE. 

In a statement on the band's social media, The Mavericks wrote: "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."

Raul Malo performing at The Coach House in 2019.
Photo credit: Bob Steshetz

You can read NPR's coverage of the passing of Malo HERE.

Below is what noted music writer/author Cary Baker ("Down on the Corner: Adventures in Busking and Street Music") wrote and posted on Facebook following the passing of Malo yesterday:

Raul Malo, left, with Cary Baker at the Acrisure
Arena in Palm Desert, CA on July 12, 2025.
Photo courtesy of Cary Baker

"While not a surprise, we were devastated—as were so many—to awaken to the news of Raul Malo's passing. The Miami-born singer, songwriter and guitarist in The Mavericks, Raul was gifted with a resounding voice like no other. The Mavericks will always be noted for their genre-blending alchemy—mixing country, Tex-Mex, rock ’n’ roll, and Latin rhythms into a singular, borderless sound that broadened the horizons of modern Americana.

Since July 2024, Raul had battled Stage 4 colon cancer, and later developed a rare complication called Leptomeningeal disease.

I was privileged to work media for Raul and The Mavericks on most of their albums and tours from about 2010 until 2022 (including a Raul solo album). Raul and I had some great adventures together, a highlight of which was walking him and his fellow Mavs down the Grammy red carpet in 2017 when their album 'A Brand New Day' was nominated. Raul performed at the SXSW day party I co-sponsored. During AmericanaFest 2024, I ran into him; his wife, Betty; and son, Dino, outside a memorial for Mojo Nixon in East Nashville. And this past July 12th, we had the pleasure of seeing The Mavericks on a bill with Dwight Yoakam at Palm Desert's Acrisure Arena. By then, we knew of his health struggles, yet Raul was nothing short of rock-star-like. It was great to see him in peak form a final time, and to say hi backstage (Raul in green shirt and red glasses below). We prayed it wouldn't be the last time.

This past weekend, we watched both nights of the Mavericks' all-star benefit tribute to Raul at the Ryman Auditorium via livestream. It was a joyous celebration of some of the best music of our time. At the same time, it was sad, knowing that Raul and his most incredible band would never play together again. I hope Raul was able to glean a final pleasure in all the heartfelt tributes—spoken and musical—from some of the titans of Americana, including estranged Maverick Rob Reynolds. (I highly recommend viewing it...download the Nugs app.)

My heart goes out to his fellow charter Mavericks (Paul Deakin, Jerry Dale McFadden and Eddie Perez), to his devoted wife Betty, and his three sons (of whom I got to know Dino a bit).

Raul left so much great music and so many great memories behind. Still processing this morning's news. I suspect I will for a while. I love you Raul Malo!"

Robert Kinsler