Singer Raul Malo Of The Mavericks Has Passed Away

Remembering Raul Malo, lead singer and guitarist for The Mavericks

The Miami-born, Cuban American musician, who died Dec. 8, played music that embraced Latin rhythms, roots, rock 'n' roll, and country. Originally broadcast in 1995.

DAVID BIANCULLI, HOST:

This is FRESH AIR. I'm TV critic David Bianculli. Last weekend, Raul Malo and his veteran roots music group the Mavericks were scheduled to play at a tribute concert in their honor at the famed Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. The concert was held as planned. And among the other genre artists taking part were Steve Earle, Patty Griffin and Jim Lauderdale. But Raul Malo himself wasn't there. Fighting cancer for the last few years, he watched from his hospital room last weekend as a special feed of the concert was streamed to his bedside. Raul Malo died Monday at age 60.

Raul Malo was born in 1965 the son of Cuban immigrants in Miami. In his early 20s, he became the guitarist and lead singer for the Mavericks, a genre-bending band that lived up to its rebellious name. They played punk clubs in Miami Beach, but with a mixture of music that embraced not only Latin rhythms but roots music, rock 'n' roll and country. The Mavericks recorded such popular hits as "Here Comes The Rain" and "All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down." Their most recent studio album was last year's "Moon & Stars." And their eclectic LPs over their four-decade career included an all-Spanish album and a tribute to Mötley Crüe.

In 1995, the Mavericks released "Music For All Occasions," which included the hits "All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down" and "Here Comes The Rain" and the opening track, "Foolish Heart." Terry Gross spoke with Raul Malo when that album was released. She began by playing the opening song, "Foolish Heart."

 

I am quite familiar with Beer Barrel Polka and thought that sounded okay. When they transition to the second song is when it really gets going.

 

Another Ray Price.