Born on August 7, 1965, in Miami, Raul Francisco Martínez-Malo Jr. grew up around all kinds of music. His Cuban immigrant parents brought Cuban music into his life, while artists like Roy Orbison and Bobby Darin left just as big a mark on him.
That mix of influences ended up shaping The Mavericks' sound down the road. The band often got labeled as country, but they were really blending rock and roll, jazz, Tejano, and Malo's Cuban roots, which is what set them apart from other bands at the time.
After bringing on drummer Paul Deakin and lead guitarist Ben Peeler, the band started playing rock clubs around Miami. The Mavericks built a following fast and put out their debut album in 1990, with Malo writing every song. It did well enough to land them an invite to a Nashville showcase.
The Mavericks broke through in 1994 with What a Cryin' Shame, which hit No. 6 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart. It also gave them three charting singles, including the title track, "There Goes My Heart" and "O What a Thrill."
After The Mavericks broke up in 2000, Malo went solo. His debut album, 2001's Today, reached No. 1 on the U.K. country chart. He went on to put out nine solo albums, tapping into his roots with Spanish-language songs like "Ya Tu Veras" and "No Me Preguntes Tanto."
Malo died on December 8, 2025, at age 60, after a long battle with colon cancer. For more than three decades, he was the heart and voice of The Mavericks. The band released 15 studio albums, landed 15 entries on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, and earned a Grammy Award, two CMA Awards and three ACM Awards.
The Mavericks also honored their longtime leader, saying, “Anyone with the pleasure of being in Raul’s orbit knew that he was a force of human nature, with an infectious energy.”
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