The “Elvis Is Everywhere” rocker died at the age of 66 while on a cruise

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Mojo Nixon, the unpredictable rock 'n' roll singer behind the 1987 MTV novelty favorite “Elvis Is Everywhere,” died on Wednesday (February 7) at the age of 66.

According to his statement Facebook Page, Nixon (real name: Neil Kirby McMillan Jr.) died after suffering a “heart event” during the Outlaw Country Cruise on which he was performing.

“The way you live is the way you should die,” the Facebook post said. “Nixon's mojo was all rock, wide open, radical hog, punk on two wheels + on fire…passing after a blazing show, a furious night out, closing the bar, taking no prisoners + a good breakfast with bandmates and friends. The Heart Happens on a Ship.” “Outlaw Country Cruise is right…and this is how he did it. Mojo left the building. Since Elvis is everywhere, we know he was waiting for him in the alley outside. Heaven help us all.”

Nixon left on Outlaw cruise With his band The Toadliquors outside Miami on Sunday (February 4). Other performers on the trip include Steve Earle and Lucinda Williams. In addition to performing, Nixon also recorded a SiriusXM session at sea with the 49th Winchester Band, in his other role as SiriusXM host on the show. Color in the afternoon On Steven Van Zandt's Outlaw Country.

Born in North Carolina in 1957, Nixon made his way to California in the early 1980s and collaborated with musician Skid Roper, with whom he released six albums between 1985 and 1990. Roper played the washboard while Nixon played the guitar and sang his own lyrics. Their project in 1987 Boo-day-choos!!!which included “Elvis Is Everywhere”, peaked at number 187 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.

Nixon also struck painting charts with “Don Henley Must Die” – a brutal song aimed at the Eagles frontman from his 1990 solo album Otis – which was number 20 on the alternative broadcast.

In an interview with Austin Chronicle, Nixon recalls the night Henley himself showed up at his concert at Austin, Texas venue Hole in the Wall in 1992 and asked to join him on stage. “He got into a frown and said, ‘I want to sing that song, especially the part about not getting together with Glenn Frey!'” Nixon said. “He was screaming this loud, screaming like he was Johnny in a punk movie.”

In addition to his music career, Nixon also worked as an actor, appearing in the 1989 Jerry Lee Lewis biopic. Big balls to shoot! And starring as Toad in 1993 Super Mario Bros. film.

documentary about nixon, The Mojo Manifesto: The Life and Times of Mojo Nixondebuted at the 2022 South by Southwest Film Festival and was released digitally in March of last year.