Mojo Nixon, the cult rockabilly musician best known for his novelty hit “Elvis Is Everywhere,” died on Wednesday, February 7th while aboard the Outlaw Country Cruise. He was 66 years old.
Mojo Nixon suffered a “a cardiac event,” according to a statement provided by his family to Rolling Stone.
“Mojo Nixon was full-tilt, wide-open rock hard, root hog, corner on two wheels + on fire…,” eulogized 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.”
Mojo Nixon was born Neill Kirby McMillan Jr. in Chapel Hill, North Carolina on August 2nd, 1957. Together with his collaborator Skid Roper, Mojo Nixon recorded six albums during the 1980s. They’ll be most remembered for their Elvis Presley tribute song “Elvis Is Everywhere,” which became an unexpected hit on MTV following its release in 1987. Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper were subsequently hired by MTV to write and record satirical songs lampooning celebrities including Rick Astley and Debbie Gibson.
After splitting with Skid Roper in 1989, Mojo Nixon continued to release music, including collaborative LPs with X’s John Doe and Dead Kennedys’ Jello Biafro. He also pursued a career in acting, appearing in films such as Great Balls of Fire and Super Mario Bros.
Since 2008, Mojo Nixon had hosted a radio show for SiriusXM, including on Steven Van Zandt’s Outlaw Country channel. He also appeared as a character on Howard Stern’s Howard 100 channel.
At the time of his death, Mojo Nixon was serving as a host aboard the Outlaw Country Cruise.