Raul Malo (Raul Francisco Martínez-Malo Jr), the talented singer and songwriter known for his rich, operatic vocals with the unique Americana/country band The Mavericks, passed away on Dec. 8, at 60 years old after a two-year struggle with cancer.
The Mavericks shared their sorrow on the group’s official Facebook page, stating, “It’s with the deepest grief we share the passing of our friend, bandmate and brother Raul Malo. 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.
“While his spirited performances garnered a massive & loyal following, and his powerful songwriting and musicianship earned multiple Grammy, ACM, and CMA awards, it was his lifelong commitment to the preservation of the multi-lingual American musical repertoire of which he was most proud, making history in 2020 with the first album ever to debut at the top of both the Latin Pop and Folk-Americana charts. His contributions to American and Latin music will be everlasting, as his songs and voice touched fans and fellow artists around the world.”
A Billboard obituary mentioned that “In June 2024, Malo, whose rich, pure voice drew comparisons to Roy Orbison’s crystalline tone, revealed that he had been diagnosed with colon cancer, though the band continued to tour with Dwight Yoakam through his treatments. However, this year they had to cancel tour dates due to his health battle, and then cancer spread to his brain.”
On social media, Yoakam honored Malo: “In loving memory of one of the greatest voices the world ever had the good fortune to hear…and one of the dearest souls I ever had the honor and privilege to have known. He was indeed one of the good ones… Rest in sweet peace in Raul’s loving arms.”
Billboard reported that “on Dec. 5 and 6 many friends and musical colleagues – including Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s Jeff Hanna – gathered for two shows at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium to celebrate Malo and The Mavericks’ lasting impact on music. Unfortunately, Malo had been hospitalized on Dec. 4 and couldn’t attend.”
“Malo was a first-generation Cuban-American born in Miami in 1965. He admired crooners like Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra while growing up in a bilingual household surrounded by jazz, pop country rhythms along with Latin sounds mixed into rock music. Over time The Mavericks blended all these influences into their own distinct sound.
“The Mavericks began their journey in Miami before music executive Tony Brown signed them to MCA in 1991. They released their debut album From Hell to Paradise in 1992 followed by What a Crying Shame which achieved double platinum status from RIAA. This album featured hits like ‘What a Crying Shame,’ ‘Oh What a Thrill’ along with ‘There Goes My Heart,’ all landing within Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart at various positions within top twenty rankings. Their highest-charting single came from ‘All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down’ featuring Flaco Jiménez reaching No. 13 on Billboard’s Top Country Songs chart back in 1996.”
The Mavericks earned a Grammy award for best country performance by duo or group vocals thanks to their hit “Here Comes The Rain,” alongside eight other Grammy nominations overall throughout their career span since ‘95-‘96 when named CMA vocal group annually during those years.
Even though mainstream U. S country radio didn’t always embrace their eclectic style blending genres together seamlessly-overseas they thrived especially well gaining popularity primarily across UK markets compared elsewhere; Canada also proved quite supportive early on too!
The Mavericks captured attention across Canada which helped create strong bonds amongst industry insiders locally including veteran Canadian label executive Brian Hetherman (currently associated now as NXNE partner alongside Billboard Canada). In remembrance he recalled how “The Mavericks worked hard collaborating closely under MCA hence building what they achieved here plus became genuine friends over time too! Rarely do I recall bands back then investing so much effort engaging audiences while having fun-it ultimately paid off tremendously given gold/platinum success emerged by mid-90s!”
Hetherman reminisced saying “When I started working at MCA/Universal few years later arriving new record titled From Hell To Paradise caught my complete focus immediately leading everyone else onboard soon enough thereafter! Following next release cycle finally came about-Mavericks toured recently visiting Horseshoe venue causing excitement levels soar-we rallied efforts towards creating great moments ahead together eventually resulting successful parties + tours thereafter!”
“I can’t recall precisely how things transpired but my buddy Ed Harris recalls vividly-the concept sparked realization ‘We should create an album featuring The Mavericks’ idea got rolling rapidly leading towards It’s Now Its Live capturing incredible recordings produced perfectly right from Massey Hall/Ottawa sessions executed thoroughly.”......
As time progressed into early ’00s era however T..
Source link
