BMI Remembers Raul Malo
BMI was deeply saddened by the passing of Raul Malo, the GRAMMY-winning frontman of The Mavericks and longtime BMI affiliate. He was 60 years old.
Renowned for his dynamic vocals and genre-blending style, Malo co-founded The Mavericks in 1989 alongside bassist Robert Reynolds and drummer Paul Deakin. The group’s self-titled debut album arrived in 1990, followed by 1992’s From Hell to Paradise. Their breakthrough came with 1994’s What a Crying Shame, featuring acclaimed singles such as “There Goes My Heart” and “O What a Thrill.” Building on this success, the band released Music for All Occasions in 1995, which not only garnered widespread acclaim but also kicked off consecutive CMA Vocal Group of the Year wins in 1995 and 1996. The Mavericks earned their first GRAMMY Award in 1996 for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for “Here Comes the Rain.”
Malo’s career flourished beyond his work with The Mavericks. In 2001, he launched a solo career with the debut LP Today, followed by eight additional solo albums, including the 2023 instrumental album, Say Less. In 2020, The Mavericks demonstrated their artistic breadth by releasing En Español, their first all-Spanish album.
Since his affiliation with BMI in 1991, Malo earned numerous accolades, including a BMI Award, GRAMMY, ACM Awards, and CMA Awards, as well as the prestigious Trailblazer Award at the 2021 Americana Music Honors & Awards. Throughout his career, Malo remained a dedicated and frequent performer at the Key West Songwriters Festival, strengthening his enduring bond with the BMI community.
Raul Malo’s extraordinary voice, creative spirit, and musical innovations have left an indelible mark on the music industry. He will be greatly missed by his friends, fans, and family at BMI.
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