– Mojo Nixon cult hero
– Elvis Is Everywhere Mojo Nixon.
Mojo Nixon, the Outlaw Country Cruise Co-Host, Dies at 66
Mojo Nixon, the sassy musician, actor, and radio DJ, passed away on Wednesday, February 7, at the age of 66. The news of his death was confirmed by his family to Rolling Stone. Nixon was on board the Outlaw Country Cruise, an annual musical cruise where he served as a co-host and regular performer.
According to his family’s statement to Rolling Stone, Nixon lived his life to the fullest and his death reflected that. “Mojo Nixon was at full speed, wide open, hard as a rock, rampaging, corner on two wheels + on fire,” they said. “Passing in after a hot show, a furious night, closing the bar, taking no prisoners + a good breakfast with bandmates and friends.”
The statement continued, “A cardiac event on the Outlaw Country Cruise is fine…and that’s how he did it, Mojo left the building. Since Elvis is everywhere, we know he was waiting for him in the back alley. May heaven help us all.”
Nixon’s career was as unique as it was strange. He gained recognition in 1987 when he and his former partner, Skid Roper, released their novelty hit “Elvis Is Everywhere.” The song, a blend of cowpunk and rockabilly, became an unexpected staple on MTV. Nixon and Roper went on to record six albums together before parting ways.
After their split, Nixon embarked on a solo career, releasing numerous solo albums and collaborating with artists like Jello Biafra from the Dead Kennedys. He also ventured into acting and became a radio DJ, earning the nickname “The Afternoon Loon” on SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country channel in the mid-2000s.
The news of Nixon’s passing has left the Outlaw community devastated. Jeff Cuellar, CEO of Sixthman, the organizer of the Outlaw Country Cruise, expressed his condolences, saying, “We are absolutely devastated. Our thoughts and hearts are with Mojo’s family and the Outlaw community.”
A Life Committed to Freedom of Expression
Mojo Nixon was not only known for his music but also for his unwavering commitment to freedom of expression. He famously debated parental warnings on CDs with Pat Buchanan during an appearance on CNN’s Crossfire in the 1990s.
In an interview with Rolling Stone last year, Nixon shared his belief that anything can be made fun of as long as the joke is funny. He also advocated for the freedom to say anything, as long as one is willing to face the consequences. “We don’t need a thought police,” he asserted.
A Childhood Captivated by Music
Nixon, born Neill Kirby McMillan Jr. on August 2, 1957, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, grew up in Danville, Virginia. He had a deep love for music from an early age, and his childhood was filled with its influence. One of his defining moments was hearing Arthur Conley’s “Sweet Soul Music,” which he described as the moment when “music demands your soul and Satan climbs up your butt.”
After college, Nixon briefly pursued a career in the punk scene in London before returning to the United States and settling in Denver. There, he played in a band called Zebra 123, which gained attention for their provocative concert titled “Assassination Ball,” featuring a poster of the exploding heads of Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter.
It was during a cross-country bike trip that Nixon had a revelation and adopted his stage name, Mojo Nixon, which he described as “Mojo = Voodoo Nixon = Bad Politics.” He eventually met Country Dick Montana, who became his mentor and introduced him to the San Diego music scene.
A Career Filled with Unconventional Hits
Nixon and Roper joined forces in 1983 and started making music together. They gained a cult following with their wild songs like “Burn Down the Malls,” “Jesus at McDonald’s,” and “Stuffin’ Martha’s Muffin.” However, their breakthrough came in 1987 with the release of “Elvis Is Everywhere.” The song not only earned them recognition on MTV but also led to Nixon filming promotional spots for the network.
After parting ways with Roper, Nixon continued his musical career and achieved success with his solo debut album, “Otis,” in 1990. The album attracted attention, and the song “Don Henley Must Die” even reached number 20 on the modern rock charts. Nixon’s acting career also took off during this time, with roles in films like “Big Fireballs” and “Super Mario Bros.”
Throughout the ’90s, Nixon remained active in the music industry while also pursuing other ventures. He worked as a radio DJ and even served as the honorary “captain” of the Team USA men’s doubles luge team at the 1998 Winter Olympics, recording a theme song for the occasion.
In the 2000s, hosting shows on SiriusXM became Nixon’s main focus, but he occasionally returned to music, releasing an album of unreleased tracks titled “Whiskey Rebellion” in 2009. A documentary about his life and career, “The Mojo Manifesto: The Life and Times of Mojo Nixon,” premiered at SXSW in 2022 and received a wider release last year.
Mojo Nixon’s work was often labeled as novelty, but he embraced that distinction. “I am a cult artist,” he proudly declared in an interview with Rolling Stone. His unique blend of music, comedy, and outspokenness left a lasting impact on the world of entertainment.
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1. Mojo Nixon cult hero Elvis Everywhere
2. Mojo Nixon dies at 66, cult hero behind Elvis Is Everywhere.
