Danville native and singer Mojo Nixon dead at 66
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DANVILLE, Va. (WFXR) — Rolling Stone Magazine reports outlaw rock and roller and Danville, Virginia native, Mojo Nixon, has died at the age of 66.
According to Nixon’s Facebook account, the musician suffered a “cardiac event” on the Outlaw Country Cruise on Feb. 7.
“Passing after a blazing show, a raging night, closing the bar, taking no prisoners, a good breakfast with bandmates and friends,” said the Facebook post.
Nixon, born Kirby McMillian Jr., was born in North Carolina and grew up in Danville. His father owned a soul radio station in the River City. That is where Nixon said he found his love for music. He was known for mixing the melodies of rock and roll and country music. His music was described as part rockabilly and part punk.
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In the 1980s, Nixon partnered with Skid Roper. Together they released six albums and in 1987, their project “Bo-Day-Shus!!!” peaked on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Nixon also scored a hit with his song, “Don Henley Must Die,” which stamped its mark on the Billboard claiming the No. 187 spot.
Known for an energetic and quirky sense of humor, Nixon’s music videos proved popular in the early days of MTV. His video for “Debbie Gibson Is Pregnant with My Two-Headed Love Child” starred actress Winona Ryder.
In addition to playing music, Nixon tried his hand at acting. He appeared in the movie, “Great Balls of Fire” with Ryder and Dennis Quaid. He also voiced the character of Toad in 1993’s “Super Mario Brothers” film.
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Following his musical career, Nixon became the voice of Sirius XM’s Outlaw Radio where he was known as the “Loon in the Afternoon.” In addition to music, he often spoke about his love of NASCAR.
Nixon’s appreciation for racing led him to write a song about another hero from his hometown Danville, NASCAR Legend Wendell Scott.
“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,” said the post on his social media.
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