- Mojo Nixon was an American musician and DJ
- He was best known as a cult figure of indie music
- Mojo's legacy is being cherished and remembered
The music world is reeling from the sudden loss of Mojo Nixon, the unapologetically brash musician, actor, and radio DJ known for his full-throttle lifestyle and irreverent tunes. Nixon's family confirmed to 'Rolling Stone' magazine that he passed away from "a cardiac event" on February 7, 2024, aboard the Outlaw Country Cruise—a fittingly raucous setting for his final bow at 66 years old.
Nixon was having a good time in the end
The musician performed on the cruise the evening before. He was a frequent performer and co-host on the annual voyage.
"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…," wrote his family. "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. Since Elvis is everywhere, we know he was waiting for him in the alley out back. Heaven help us all," concluded the statement.
Nixon, a cult hero in the rock and country scenes, lived his life like his music: loud, unfiltered, and always on the edge. His family's statement captured his essence perfectly: "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…"
The music maverick's career took off after he and Skid Roper hit it big with their 1987 novelty song "Elvis Is Everywhere," a cowpunk/rockabilly anthem that playfully poked fun at Elvis Presley's fanatical following. The song's quirky charm and MTV exposure catapulted Nixon and Roper to unexpected fame.
Things moved fast for him
After the success of "Elvis Is Everywhere" he released several albums with more collaborators, such as the Toadliquors and Jello Biafra. Two years after, Nixon entered the acting business. He portrayed "James Van Eaton" in the 1989 Jerry Lee Lewis biopic 'Great Balls of Fire'. His credits also included 'Super Mario Bros' from 1993 and 'Car 54, Where Are You?' the following year.
He was a man of many talents and then pivoted to hosting radio shows. In the early aughts, he scored a job with SiriusXM, hosting the 'Outlaw Country: Music That Won't Be Fenced In' show. His 'Outlaw Country' co-worker, Elizabeth Cook, also shared the news of his death on Facebook.
"I’m sad to share that Mojo Nixon, my partner in crime on SiriusXM outlaw, passed away today aboard The Outlaw Country Cruise. He was a total maniac, a complete pain in my ass, and he will be missed."
After splitting from Roper, Nixon continued to make waves with solo albums and collaborations, including with punk legend Jello Biafra. His acting credits and SiriusXM's Outlaw Country channel gig as "The Loon in the Afternoon" solidified his place in entertainment history.
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A life well lived
Nixon was also a vocal advocate for free speech, famously clashing with Pat Buchanan over parental advisory warnings on CDs. His philosophy was simple yet profound: "I firmly believe you can make fun of anything as long as your joke is funny. And I also believe that you can say anything, as long as you're willing to suffer the consequences."
Despite his often humorous approach, Nixon's impact on music and culture was no joke. His legacy lives on through his eclectic discography, memorable performances, and the countless fans who embraced his unorthodox style.
As the music world mourns the loss of this outlaw legend, we can't help but think that somewhere, Elvis is waiting to welcome Mojo Nixon with open arms. Rock on, Mojo. Rock on.
