Raul Malo
25ms
Raul Francisco Martínez-Malo Jr., born August 7, 1965, and passing on December 8, 2025, was a celebrated American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. He was the charismatic lead singer and chief songwriter for the iconic country music band, The Mavericks, penning many of their unforgettable hits. His songwriting talent also extended to Rick Trevino's 2003 single, "In My Dreams." Following The Mavericks' hiatus in the early 2000s, Malo embarked on a successful solo career, and from 2001, he was a vital member of the supergroup Los Super Seven. The Mavericks reunited in 2012, gracing stages worldwide, and in 2015, they were honored with the Americana Music Award for Duo/Group of the Year.
Born in Miami to Cuban immigrant parents, Malo found his musical home in Nashville, Tennessee, where he resided from 1993. His musical inspirations were as diverse as his own sound, with personal favorites including legends like Elvis Presley and Hank Williams. For 34 years, Malo shared his life with his wife, Betty, and together they raised three sons: Dino, Victor, and Max.
In June 2024, Malo bravely announced his diagnosis with cancer. By September 2025, the progression of the disease, which he shared on his Instagram page had reached the leptomeningeal disease stage, affecting his spinal cord and brain, led him to cancel his remaining tour dates. During this challenging period, Malo relocated from Nashville to Houston to receive treatment at MD Anderson. On December 7, 2025, Betty Malo shared on Instagram that she and Raul had received mail from a UPS business center in Nashville, a testament to their enduring connection to their home.
Tragically, Malo was hospitalized on December 4, 2025, just days before two tribute shows planned in his honor at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium. Despite his hospitalization, these heartfelt tributes proceeded as scheduled on December 5 and 6, 2025. On December 6, his fellow Mavericks bandmates were able to visit him in the hospital, delivering one final, poignant "concert" for their dear friend, a moment captured and shared by his wife on Instagram. Raul Malo passed away on December 8, 2025, at the age of 60, from colon cancer, leaving behind a legacy of passionate music and cherished memories.
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Raul Francisco Martínez-Malo Jr. (August 7, 1965 – December 8, 2025) was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and record producer. He was both the lead singer and songwriter of country music band the Mavericks, co-writing many of their singles, as well as Rick Trevino's 2003 single "In My Dreams". After the disbanding of the Mavericks in the early 2000s, Malo pursued a solo career. He also participated from 2001 in the Los Super Seven supergroup. The Mavericks re-formed in 2012 and continued to tour extensively. In 2015, they won the Americana music award for duo/group of the year.
== Life and career ==
In 1965, Malo was born in Miami to Cuban immigrant parents. However, for much of his adult life, Malo was based in Nashville, Tennessee, where he had lived since 1993.
He was personally fond of the music of people such as Elvis Presley and Hank Williams.
For 34 years, Malo was married to Betty, and had three children; sons Dino, Victor, and Max.
In June 2024, Malo announced that he had been diagnosed with cancer.
In September 2025, he canceled his remaining tour dates due to his cancer, which Malo claimed on his Instagram page had by this point reached its leptomeningeal disease (LMD) stage, thus spreading to his spinal cord and brain. During his bout with cancer, Malo also left his Nashville home and stayed in Houston, where he received treatment at MD Anderson. On December 7, 2025, however, Betty Malo confirmed on her Instagram page that she and Raul by now received mail from a UPS business center in Nashville.
On December 4, 2025, Malo was hospitalized, the day before the first of two nights of tribute shows, which he and his family were also initially scheduled to attend, were set to be held in his honor in Nashville. Despite his continued hospitalization, both tribute shows for Malo would be held as planned at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium on December 5 and 6, 2025. On December 6, his Mavericks bandmates were able to visit him in the hospital, giving him one final "concert," which his wife posted a clip of on her Instagram page. Malo died of colon cancer on December 8, at the age of 60.
== Solo discography ==
=== Albums ===
=== Singles ===
=== Music videos ===
== References ==
== External links ==
Official website
Raul Malo at IMDb
Raul Malo discography at Discogs
Raul Malo at International Songwriters Association
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