The music world is mourning the death of Raul Malo.

The genre-blending visionary and frontman of The Mavericks died Dec. 8 at 60. His wife and the band confirmed his death, after a year-and-a-half-long battle with cancer, on social media.

Tributes from fellow musicians quickly began to pour out, as stars honored the Nashville singer-songwriter, guitarist and record producer. The Mavericks, with whom Malo played on and off for decades, were first to express their sadness, writing on Instagram: "Anyone with the pleasure of being in Raul's orbit knew that he was a force of human nature, with an infectious energy."

"Though his earthly body may have passed, Raul's spirit will live on forever in heaven, and here on earth through the music, joy, and light he brought forth," the band wrote. "His contributions to American and Latin music will be everlasting, as his songs and voice touched fans and fellow artists around the world."

Trisha Yearwood, Chris Isaak honor Raul Malo

Trisha Yearwood, who teamed up with The Mavericks in 1995 for a cover of "Something Stupid," took to Instagram share a message.

"I don't have words to express my sadness at the passing of Raul Malo, one of the finest voices of our generation, with a larger than life personality to go with it," she wrote. "I've been sitting with my memories this morning, and just want to send my love and strength to Betty and the Malo family, to The Mavericks, and to everyone who loved Raul and his music. Gone too soon. "

Musician Shooter Jennings also mourned Malo on X, writing: "Rest in peace Raul Malo! I loved the Mavericks. We got to hang many times and I used to tell him how much I went crazy for his version of 'Us and Them'. A performer and craftsman of the highest order."

Chris Isaak, a fellow singer-songwriter and rockabilly icon, also took to social media to commemorate his "friend."

"Raul was a musician I loved and respected. He and I shared a love for so many of the same things…it was so easy, so fun for us to get together and get talking about our heroes," he wrote alongside a photo of the two of them on Instagram. "I will never forget how gracious he and his family were…having me over for the best meal ever in Nashville and then just sitting around with Raul singing together. I can tell you he was unparalleled in his singing. I could listen to him all day. He had a gift. I used to tell him if they ever made a film about me I wanted him to do the singing…that way I’d sound better than ever.

"It hurts to lose a friend and a hero…but he left us a treasure of music that lives on," Isaak wrote.

Famed songwriter Desmond Child also honored Malo's legacy.

"A very sad day… my friend, colleague and fellow Cuban, Raul Malo, has left this Earth… but he left us a rich legacy of incredible music with his band," Child wrote on Instagram. "He had the voice of an angel and a devilish contagious laugh with the biggest most generous welcoming heart. Te quiero para siempre hermano."

Contributing: Audrey Gibbs, The Nashville Tennessean

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trisha Yearwood mourns singer Raul Malo, 'one of the finest voices'

Reporting by Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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