Mojo Nixon, radio host known for satirical hit 'Elvis is Everywhere,' dies at 66
Musician and radio host Mojo Nixon, known for his satirical songs in the 1980s and '90s, has died. He was 66.
News of his death was shared on the Facebook page of his documentary, "The Mojo Manifesto: The Life and Times of Mojo Nixon." The same statement was shared on his website and by Nixon's family to Rolling Stone.
Nixon, born Neill Kirby McMillan Jr., died Wednesday from cardiac arrest, the statement said.
"How you live is how you should die," read the statement, posted Wednesday. "Passing after a blazing show, a raging night, closing the bar, taking no prisoners."
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Nixon died on the Outlaw Country Cruise, an annual music cruise where he served as a co-host and regular performer, including the night before his death.
"A good breakfast with bandmates and friends," the post continued. "A cardiac event on the Outlaw Country Cruise is about right… & that's just how he did it."
"We are absolutely devastated," Jeff Cuellar, CEO of Outlaw Country Cruise's operator Sixthman, said in a statement to USA TODAY Thursday. "Our thoughts and hearts are with Mojo's family and the Outlaw community
Nixon was known for his satirical songs with former collaborator Skid Roper, with the singles "Elvis Is Everywhere," a novelty song that became a hit on MTV in 1987, and "Debbie Gibson Is Pregnant with My Two-Headed Love Child" in 1989.
"Since Elvis is everywhere, we know he was waiting for him in the alley out back," the post ended. "Heaven help us all."
Nixon also had acting credits, including as James Van Eaton in the Dennis Quaid-led 1989 biographical film "Great Balls of Fire!," in the 1993 "Super Mario Bros." film as Toad and as a voice actor in several video games such as "Redneck Rampage," for which he also served as a composer.
In the late 1990s and 2000s, Nixon worked as a DJ and radio host, including three shows on SiriusXM: "The Loon in the Afternoon," NASCAR-themed show "Mojo Nixon's Manifold Destiny" and the political program "Lyin' (Expletive)."
In 2020, a biographical documentary on Nixon, written and directed by Matt Eskey, debuted at South By Southwest festival. The film was released by Freestyle Digital Media on streaming services in 2023.
Nixon is survived by his wife, Adaire McMillan, and two children.
SiriusXM will air a "best of" special during his regular time slots on its Outlaw Country, NASCAR Radio and Raw Comedy channels. On Sunday, the station will air a "Music City Mayhem" special featuring artists including Jessi Colter, Bobby Rush and others.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mojo Nixon dead: Radio host, musician was 66
