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Raul Malo
FYI
Obituaries: Canadians Remember The Mavericks Frontman Raul Malo
This week we also acknowledge the passing of Detroit rocker Scott Richardson, opera singer Jubilant Sykes and New Zealand rock drummer Brent McLachlan.
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Raul Malo (Raul Francisco Martínez-Malo Jr), the singer and songwriter whose operatic, lush lead vocals led the eclectic Americana/country group The Mavericks, died on Dec. 8, at age 60 following a two-year battle with cancer.
The Mavericks posted on the group’s official Facebook page, writing, “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.
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“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 noted 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 the cancer then spread to his brain."
On social media, Yoakam praised 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 the sweet and lasting peace of his loving arms Raul.”
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Billboard reported that "on Dec. 5 and 6, many of Malo’s 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 band’s indelible contributions to music. Malo had been hospitalized on Dec. 4 and was unable to attend.
"Malo was a first-generation Cuban-American, born in Miami in 1965. He had a reverence for crooners like Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra, often covering them as he got older, grew up in a bilingual household, and soaked in sounds of jazz, pop, country, Latin music and rock. Through the decades, the band’s music would draw upon that array of sounds to create their own musical hybrid.
"The Mavericks started in Miami, before music exec Tony Brown signed the group to MCA in 1991. The band released its MCA debut album From Hell to Paradise in 1992, followed by the project What a Crying Shame, which was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. The album was propelled by 'What a Crying Shame,' 'Oh, What a Thrill' and 'There Goes My Heart,' all of which charted in the 20s on Billboard Hot Country Songs. The Mavericks’ highest charting single was the rollicking 'All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down' (featuring Flaco Jiménez), which reached No. 13 on Billboard‘s Top Country Songs chart in 1996."
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The Mavericks won a Grammy for best country performance by a duo or group with vocals for its hit “Here Comes the Rain,” and earned eight Grammy nominations. In 1995 and 1996, the band was named the CMA’s vocal group of the year.
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The group's freewheeling, genre-hopping sound was not always accepted by mainstream U.S. country radio, but it was welcomed in the U.K and Canada. They gained more success in the U.K. than most American country acts, and Canada proved a very strong market for them from early on.
The Mavericks gave Canada a lot of attention, something that endeared them to the industry and fans here. Veteran Canadian label executive (now of NXNE, a partner of Billboard Canada), Brian Hetherman worked extensively with the group at MCA Canada, and in a Facebook tribute he noted that "The Mavericks worked for and with us at MCA to become what they became in Canada, and above all they became our friends. I can’t think of many other bands from those days that put in the time in Canada, were so much fun to deal with and worked hard to break this country. By the mid 90’s there were gold and platinum albums. The band were bigger in Canada than any other market (which I believe is still true today)."
Hetherman recalls that "In the early '90’s I was only a few years into my stint at MCA/Universal. A new record called From Hell to Paradise came across my desk and I was transfixed and it didn’t take long for everyone else on the team to feel the same way. Although that album didn’t do much, by the time the second album came around for The Mavericks, we were all onboard. The band had come to town, played the Horseshoe and we all got to work, and it was only a matter of time until the band had hits, parties and tours."
"I can’t remember how the conversation started but my compadre in it Ed Harris recalls the story like it was yesterday. 'We should make a Mavericks album' was the idea and within the year It’s Now Its Live was out, Executive Produced by Ed, myself and the band's manager at the time, Frank Colari, and exquisitely recorded by Doug McClement at Massey Hall and in Ottawa."
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In the 2000s, The Mavericks went on hiatus, but Raul Malo went on to release a large number of acclaimed solo albums and work with the Latino supergroup Los Super Seven.
The Mavericks reunited in 2012 and released the album In Time. In 2015, it was named duo/group of the year at the Americana Music Honors & Awards. The Mavericks continued exploring new creative spaces. In 2020, the band recorded an album entirely in Spanish, as the group reimagined traditional songs from Latin America on En Español. Its most recent release, 2024’s Moon & Stars (their 13th album), featured appearances from Sierra Ferrell, Maggie Rose, Nicole Atkins and Max Abrams.
Malo has a BMI award for songwriting, for “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down,” and was nominated for several solo Grammys, including one for his album Lucky One, and another for his work with the Latin supergroup Los Super Seven.
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One Canadian artist with whom Malo forged a close musical bond was honkytonk singer-songwriter Whitney Rose, a PEI native now based in Austin, Texas. She opened Canadian dates by The Mavericks, occasionally joining Malo onstage for duets, and he was impressed enough by her talent to then produce two Rose albums, 2015's Heartbreaker of the Year and 2017's RULE 62.
Contacted by Billboard Canada, Rose offered these thoughts: "He took the music seriously, but never himself. He had an enormous respect for where the songs came from and absolutely no patience for treating tradition like a museum piece. He used it and kept it moving in that style all his own and he inspired countless others to do the same for themselves. He was relentless in his support of artists he believed in and is responsible for elevating more than a few careers. His creative mastery extended to his relationship with the word 'no.' You wanted to follow him- onstage, in the studio, everywhere.
"His musical brilliance shaped not only the Mavericks and his own work, but the work of everyone who ever had the privilege to collaborate with him. That holds so much potential, and it brings me a great deal of comfort."
Upon news of Malo's passing, many of his Canadian musical peers, industry colleagues and fans paid tribute, on social media and to Billboard Canada.
Toronto club booker Yvonne Matsell (to Billboard Canada): "This news of Raul passing was really very sad. I’m unable to give you dates, but when I was booking [Toronto club] Reverb I got a call from Universal to ask if the Mavericks, who were in town for something, could play a set after whoever I had playing , and of course I said YES.
"They were all so nice, especially Raul who immediately struck me as a genuinely lovely man. I believe I booked the band another time there and then, when I was at the El Mocambo, I had another show with him as a solo artist . He had just charted on CHUM I think, so the audience seemed like older radio listeners (men in suits & ladies wearing high heels) and not your usual indie music crowd that he had appealed to originally.
"And his voice …. absolutely gorgeous!! We spent some time chatting that day during sound check & pre show, we knew some of the same people, & my memories of him are that he had no ego & was a warm, genuinely nice person. Such a sad loss to music."
Legendary Canadian roots musician and producer Colin Linden (on Facebook): "So very saddened to learn that the great Raul Malo has passed. One of the greatest singers of our lifetime and one of the kindest, most soulful people too. Godspeed and may the angels lead you into paradise."
Veteran Canadian music journalist Eric Thom (on Facebook): "·My first encounter with Raul Malo was as the awe-inspiring powerhouse of a lead vocalist with The Mavericks, back in the early '90s. In the beginning, they were a little bit country with a dash of rockabilly - but with enough tough, adventurous lead guitar to keep them at par with other faves at the time like The Georgia Satellites and Jason & The Scorchers. An incredible live band, their most distinguishing feature over the years was Raul Malo and his rich, resonant vocals which came off like a Latin-born Roy Orbison or - in a heartbeat - capable of a sweet, sensitive sound grounded in a strong sense of his Cuban/Latin heritage.
"Years later, catching him on a solo tour, the latter seemed to command his heart, leaning in with the strong Latin core, coupled with added elements of swing jazz and Nashville country. His accompanying guitar-playing was, too, equally jaw-dropping. To meet him was to discover a warm, gentle man with a huge, hearty handshake, a massively sincere smile and zero ego, despite his many successes. He was a phenomenal entertainer - entirely on his own or fronting his energetic band. This is such a sad loss."
Former country music broadcaster Sharon Taylor (on Facebook): "The Mavericks were very kind to [country station] CISSFM in the early '90s. They played two or three Live at 5 sessions in the studio, opened our exclusive Mary Chapin Carpenter show (listeners and clients only) at Massey Hall (Rob Bennett produced) and spoke kindly of us to their contemporaries.
"One of my favourite moments in time was watching Lyle Lovett and Raul Malo stop and happily chat as they unexpectedly ran into each other in the lobby when the Mavericks were leaving the station and Lyle was on his way in. It was Lyle who had originally urged the Mavs to visit us when in Toronto.
"In the very early years we would go to Nashville and just immerse ourselves in the music and community. The first year I went there was a live show at a venue (I forget which one) where the Mavericks did one of the most amazing shows I've seen. The band was huge, they had a Cuban horn section with big yellow frilly sleeves, the crowd were insanely into it, Trisha Yearwood made an appearance (for 'Something Stupid' as I recall) and the night was hot, humid and magical. Raul was on fire. He was sexy, funny, with THAT voice. And the songs....RIP."
Singer-songwriter Scott Bradshaw (Scott B. Sympathy) on Facebook: "It was an honour to open for him. A real gentleman and what a voice."
Former MCA Canada publicist Sue McCallum worked extensively with Raul Malo and The Mavericks, and she sent Billboard Canada these recollections of that experience: "I actually believe if I hadn’t worked for MCA Canada which is now Universal I don’t think I would have found The Mavericks music. They were classified a country band although they were much more. To me, the cherry on top of all their musical magic was the absolutely pure and perfect voice of Raul Malo. I could hear Roy Orbison and Elvis but even more. I’ve never heard a voice like his since but would love to.
"I had the honour of working them as their Canadian publicist for a few albums. Saw many shows, concerts and festivals over the years with them. I am so grateful to have been able to work with one the greatest bands in the world and the finest singer I’ve heard and enjoyed live.
"Trying to get mainstream media coverage was difficult but I knew all I had to do was get the media to see them live. Once they were inside, the music, the songs, the energy and passion from the whole amazing band and of course the voice inside Raul Malo did it’s magic. Every music critic I got to attend were so happy that I had bugged the crap out them to come and hear for themselves and also becomes fans, they all did."
"A fave memory is The Mavs playing Havelock Country Jamboree, in Ontario in the '90s. I was with [MCA's] Cori Ferguson and Neko Case. After their show we were in their tour bus. I was sitting down and Raul starting singing in full voice Petula Clark's ‘Downtown’. The full song. I sat there mesmerized, mouth open, probably drooling and was in awe for those few minutes and I think even a few days. So grateful I had that job because of the music experiences I was honoured to be a part of."
Toronto guitarist Nichol Robertson got to tour and work with Raul Malo and The Mavericks as a member of Whitney Rose's band. He recalls to Billboard Canada that "I was making a record with Whitney Rose and The Mavericks, who we had toured with (that led to the recording). One night after recording, I mentioned I was going to [Toronto club] The Cameron House to play with [local country bnd] Thelonious Hank, and Raul and then Mavs bassist Jay Weaver showed up. I probably asked them to get up, rather than them commandeering the stage. But, oh man, what a thrill. I hope Teddy [Thelonious Hank leader, the late Teddy Hawkins] was there at the Pearly Gates to greet Raul." Check a video of that guest appearance here.
Robertson adds that "My best memories of touring with Raul was doing donuts in a Winnipeg parking lot, with him in the back seat of Whitney and my rental car. Every time he opened his mouth to either sing (pure brilliance) or talk (mostly brilliance)."
Scott Richardson, a Detroit rock singer-songwriter best known for the band SRC (Scot Richard Case), died on Dec. 7. His age has not been reported.
He was a key figure on the Motor City rock scene in the '60s and early '70s. His psychedelic rock group SRC (Scot Richard Case) was well-known for fusing elements of jazz, blues, and rock. They released a number of albums, such as Traveler's Tale (1970), Milestones (1969), and SRC (1968, and, from 1966 to 1972, they were a staple at many Detroit rock venues, such as the Grande Ballroom.
SRC did not achieve major national success, but were local favourites. Their records have developed a cult following over time, and they are acknowledged with their peers as pioneers of the Detroit rock movement. In 2010, SRC was voted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame
In the years following the breakup of the SRC, Richardson relocated to Los Angeles and became involved in films. He served as a writer on Hearts of Fire, which starred Bob Dylan, and worked on sets for two of The Lord of the Rings films.
He also spent some time living in England, working with David Bowie's Bowie's management team, Mainman. During that time he wrote some tunes with Bowie guitarist Mick Ronson, including the 1974 single "Only After Dark," featured on Ronson's solo album, Slaughter on 10th Avenue, and famously covered by The Human League as a synth-pop hit.
Jubilant Sykes, a Grammy-nominated opera and gospel singer, died on Dec. 8, at age 71. He was stabbed to death and his 31-year-old son, Micah Sykes, was arrested on suspicion of murder.
An obituary in The Guardian reports that "Jubilant Sykes was nominated for best classical album at the 2010 Grammy awards for his performance in Leonard Bernstein’s Mass, in which he performed the Celebrant role. Five years before, the Guardian praised Sykes’ performance as Celebrant, calling it 'a spectacular performance of a demanding role.'"
During his career he performed at prestigious venues including the Metropolitan Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Carnegie Hall, London’s Barbican Centre, the Kennedy Center, the Apollo Theater and the Hollywood Bowl.
Born in Los Angeles in 1954, Sykes began singing soprano as a child. He later sang as a baritone, and would also sing jazz and gospel music.
In 2002 he told NPR that he felt comfortable singing every genre of music, from pop to opera. “My singing is like breathing – it’s an extension of me. I don’t think of it is extraordinary. It’s my passion,” he said.
Brent McLachlan, drummer in internationally-acclaimed New Zealand noise rock bands The Gordons and Bailterspace, has died, after a long battle with cancer. His age has not been reported.
He first made a mark in The Gordons, a post-punk trio that formed in Christchurch, New Zealand, and became notorious for the volume of its shows. The Gordons members were John Halvorsen (bass, guitar, vocals), Alister Parker (guitar, bass, vocals) and Brent McLachlan (drums).
The Gordons released the Future Shock EP (1980), then two full-length albums, The Gordons and Volume 2. The original version of the band lasted for two years, then Parker went on to form Bailterspace.
With a somewhat different lineup, but including Halvorsen, Bailterspace recorded the Tanker album and the "Grader Spader" single, both produced by Brent McLachlan. Parker and Halvorsen then recruited McLachlan as the new drummer, recreating the original Gordons lineup, and they debuted with the Thermos album, recorded in 1989.
After several releases on Flying Nun, and after changing base several times between New Zealand, Germany, and the U.S., New York City indie label Matador Records signed them for release in the United States, around 1990. The 1992 EP The Aim was the band's first official U.S. release, and was released as two separate 7-inch singles in the UK, with both awarded "Single of the Week" by Melody Maker.
The band moved to New York City during the 1993 Robot World sessions, and subsequently released the EPs and albums EIP, Vortura. Vortura and Wammo. In 1999 the band performed in Toronto as part of the Neon Palm Festival.
The band's releases are now out of print, except for in New Zealand / Australia. A career-spanning retrospective compilation, Bailterspace, was issued in 2004. In 2008, Bailterspace emerged from a 4-year hiatus, and released another album, Strobosphere, in 2012.
In a Facebook post on Dec. 11, famed New Zealand indie label Flying Nun posted this tribute: "He was central to three brilliant, hugely influential (and also loud) Nun related bands - The Gordons, Skeptics and Bailterspace. Brent was one of Aotearoa's great drummers, an excellent studio engineer and one of the nicest people you could ever meet. A true gentleman. Our thoughts are with his whānau, close friends, past and present band members."
In a Substack post, veteran NZ music journalist Simon Sweetman paid tribute to McLachlan's work in Bailterspace, noting that "He was metronomic, and so committed to the task. Never letting flashy fills get in the way, but filling songs with heart, and groove, and focus — delivering music.
"He was by so many accounts a great guy, warm, and a music lover of course. He was also a producer and engineer, he gave generously of his time, and expertise, supporting live bands as a tech and recording so many people in the studio too. There was a producer’s ear, and an engineer’s spatial awareness in his own playing."
"Bailterspace felt like something else altogether. An entire force that could take on the world. And of course they had, based in America for much of their run, but with frequent returns home always."
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