For a long time, it seemed like the country music genre had an extremely well-defined style that most of the top stars embraced. Even in recent years, there have been lively debates about whether songs that blend genres with other styles, like rap, should still be considered country music.
Despite the rules that have often been associated with the genre, some bands and artists have come along to push the envelope. Sadly, the singer and frontman of an influential band that combined other genres with traditional country music has just passed away at 60 years old.
The Mavericks’ Singer Raul Malo Has Passed Away at 60 Following a Cancer Battle
Frank Hoensch/Redferns
On December 9, 2025, the official Instagram page for The Mavericks made a heartbreaking announcement. The beloved band’s social media page revealed that their longtime singer, Raul Malo had passed away at the age of 60 years old.
The Mavericks was a band that most notably combined elements of country and latin music with hints of several other music genres. Some of the group’s greatest hits include “What a Crying Shame,” “Dance the Night Away,” “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down,” “O What a Thrill,” “Here Comes My Baby,” and “There Goes My Heart.” In addition to serving as The Mavericks’ singer and frontman, Malo was also the band’s main songwriter, which allowed him to leave an impact on music history.
As a June 2024 Billboard article shows, Malo revealed in an Instagram video at that time that he’d been diagnosed with colon cancer. While revealing that news, Malo assured his fans that his doctors had given him a good prognosis. “They’ve reassured me this is a very common form of cancer, and my odds are good. Fortunately, we have a plan in place, and I’m feeling great! I’ll continue to be as active as possible throughout these treatments, but it does mean a few shows may be affected this year, and we’ll have more information for you as soon as possible on that.”
Months later, in September 2025, Malo provided his fans with the heartbreaking update that cancer had spread throughout his body, and he’d been diagnosed with LMD. As a Billboard article about that update states, LMD stands for “Leptomeningeal Disease, a condition when cancer cells spread to the membranes around the brain and spinal chord.” While he admitted that his health update was serious, Malo assured his fans he wasn’t afraid or facing his battle alone.
“I want to let everybody know, I am in no way alone, or scared. I have an amazing wife and boys, wonderful family, team, road crew, band, friends and fans. I don’t even have enough words to describe the love and support that I’m getting right now.”
Malo continued to receive support from The Mavericks’ fans until the very end of his life. The day before his passing was revealed, USA Today reported that fans attended a pair of tribute shows dedicated to the singer that took place on December 5 and December 6, days before Malo’s passing.
