Country Group the Mavericks Cancels 2 Shows as Frontman Raul Malo Recovers From Cancer Surgery

The 60-year-old singer announced his stage 4 colon cancer diagnosis in June 2024.

Raul Malo of The Mavericks performs onstage during Day 3 of the 2022 Stagecoach Festival at the Empire Polo Field in Indio, Calif., on May 1, 2022. Rich Fury/Getty Images for Stagecoach

The Mavericks, a Grammy-winning group known for its eclectic, Latin-infused blend of country, R&B, and rock, has announced the cancellation of two upcoming shows as frontman Raul Malo recovers from surgery amid his ongoing battle with stage 4 colon cancer.

The Mavericks, which was founded in Miami in the late 1980s, shared the news in an Instagram post on Aug. 30, writing that the band had hoped to resume its tour following a brief summer break.

“Unfortunately, we will have to cancel the upcoming performances in Las Vegas on Sept 4 & Santa Fe on Sept 6 as Raul continues to rest and recover at home from surgery earlier this month,” the group penned.

The Mavericks have a string of concerts scheduled throughout the remainder of the year, including shows in Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts from Sept. 11 to Sept. 13. The band said the three upcoming concerts would likely continue as planned.

“We apologize sincerely for any inconvenience this may cause, and appreciate everyone’s continued understanding this year,” the group added. “We look forward to bringing you the show you know and love as soon as we possibly can.”

Stage 4 cancer—also known as late-stage or metastatic cancer—is when cancerous cells have spread to other parts of the body, the Mayo Clinic reports. Colon cancer typically metastasizes to the liver, lungs, abdominal cavity lining, and distant lymph nodes, though it can also spread to the bones and brain.

The Mavericks, which released their debut self-titled studio album in 1990, had previously been forced to cancel or postpone shows in the wake of Malo’s health battle.

Malo, 60, announced his diagnosis in June 2024, revealing that his cancer was discovered after he and his bandmates—drummer Paul Deakin, keyboardist Jerry Dale McFadden, and lead guitarist Eddie Perez—decided to get routine checkups in an effort to prioritize their health while out on the road.

“That led to another appointment with a gastrointestinal specialist, which led to a colonoscopy, which led to a CAT scan, and that proved to show two cancerous spots,” the singer shared on June 27 that year.

Malo began chemotherapy treatments the following month, undergoing surgery on Dec. 10 to remove a cancerous mass that was found on his liver.

“At the end of the day, I feel like I’m getting the best care possible, and we’re going to fight this with all we have,” Malo said in his announcement.

“But most importantly, I’m saying this because we want you all to get checked out. Go see a doctor, be proactive in your health. It‘ll help fight whatever ails you. Stay healthy, take care of yourselves, and I’ll see you out on the road.”