After having surgery to remove a liver tumor, singer Raul Malo said that he was having difficulties, despite his outward appearance of strength and optimism.
Since announcing his cancer diagnosis in June of last year, the Mavericks frontman has kept fans informed about his treatment.
The Mavericks will not be joining the Sandy Beaches Cruise this weekend, as this most recent video acts as a check-in and notification.
- Raul Malo has been the Mavericks’ lead vocalist since the band was founded in 1989.
- Country radio hits include O What a Thrill, All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down and There Goes My Heart.
- Malo is 59 years old.
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In a video that was uploaded on Wednesday, June 8, Malo affirms that on December 10, he had surgery to remove a tumor from his liver. He has four to six weeks to recover, which puts him too close to the dates of this weekend’s performances to play. The band looked forward to the event, and he apologized for missing it.
“I’m feeling strong, even though I’m in a little bit of discomfort,” Malo admits while giving a health check-up. For example, holding a guitar up to my body is difficult. I have no idea if I could sing.
Malo announced the news in June, stating that his disease is common and highly curable. His remarks on music in the six months that followed were a mix of cancer updates and advice to take good care of your physical well-being.
“The love and compassion shown to me in the last month has not only been touching, it has been beautifully overwhelming,” he wrote in an August letter following his second chemotherapy treatment.
The Mavericks will take a break after this weekend before their six February games begin on February 6.
