Mojo Nixon, Blending Roots and Punk, Dies at 66
Musician Mojo Nixon, known for his irreverent and humorous songs like “Elvis Is Everywhere,” passed away on February 7, 2024, at the age of 66. He was on board the Outlaw Country Cruise when he suffered a cardiac event.
Details of the Passing:
- Nixon performed on the cruise the night before his death.
- His family released a statement confirming the news, describing his passing as “sudden but peaceful.”
- They praised his vibrant personality and dedication to his craft, stating, “Since Elvis is everywhere, we know he was waiting for him in the alley out back. Heaven help us all.”
Musical Legacy:
- Nixon gained recognition in the 1980s with his satirical and offbeat songs, blending elements of punk, rock, and Americana.
- His biggest hit, “Elvis Is Everywhere,” lampooned pop culture obsession and became a cult classic.
- Other notable songs include “Don Henley Must Die” and “Debbie Gibson Is Pregnant With My Two-Headed Love Child.”
- He was known for his energetic live performances and witty lyrics.
Industry Tributes:
- Fellow musicians and industry figures have expressed their condolences and shared memories of Nixon.
- Many highlighted his influence on alternative music and his unique comedic voice.
- He is remembered as a talented songwriter, entertainer, and genuine personality.
Further Information:
- The cause of Nixon’s cardiac event is not yet publicly known.
- Details about memorial arrangements or other tributes are currently unavailable.
Mojo Nixon, Who Mixed Roots and Punk Rock, Dies at 66
The cause was cardiac event, according to his family.
“August 2, 1957 — February 7, 2024 Mojo Nixon. How you live is how you should die. Mojo Nixon was full-tilt, wide-open rock hard, root hog, corner on two wheels + on fire…,” his family said in a statement on Facebook. “Passing after a blazing show, a raging night, closing the bar, taking no prisoners + a good breakfast with bandmates and friends.
“A cardiac event on the Outlaw Country Cruise is about right… & that’s just how he did it, Mojo has left the building,” the statement continued. “Since Elvis is everywhere, we know he was waiting for him in the alley out back. Heaven help us all.”
Born in North Carolina, raised in Virginia, schooled in Ohio, and after traveling to England, Nixon first started playing music in Denver in a punk band known as Zebra 123. “A lot of people had the same idea simultaneously,” Nixon said in an interview for the 2020 career-spanning boxed set, “The Mojo Manifesto.” “I’m gonna take roots music and I’m gonna infuse it with the energy and excitement of punk rock.” As for his early band’s music, Nixon said, “It was Jerry Lee Lewis on more speed. Not just speed, but more speed. A lot of things sounded like the Clash, but even faster and stupider.”
After Zebra 123 flamed out, Nixon moved south to San Diego, where Country Dick Montana’s pre-Beat Farmers band, the Snuggle Bunnies “adopted me as their pet,” Nixon recalled. “I was kind like their adult nephew.” Soon he hooked up with Richard Banke, better known as Skid Roper, a multi-instrumentalist who favored a washboard. Together they won a Battle of the Bands contest and were crowned the Best New Band in San Diego. Their prize – three hours of studio time at Soundtrax Studio in San Diego. “They thought we’d buy three more,” Nixon recalled. “but oh no, we cut three songs, overdubbed and mixed them and we were done in three hours.”
The duo soon landed a contract with Los Angeles-based indie label Enigma records, which released their 1985 debut, “Mojo Nixon & Skid Roper.” Nixon’s breakthrough came with the 1987 album “Bo-Day-Shus!!!,” which featured the opening track, “Elvis Is Everywhere.” The song’s video garnered play on MTV and earned him a spot performing on “The Arsenio Hall Show,” where the crowd was given cardboard Elvis masks to wear during his performance.