R.I.P.: Mojo Nixon, Rock ‘n’ Roll Wild Man, Sirius XM Radio Host

(1958-2024)

Mojo Nixon, the roots-rocking wild man and former San Diegan who was an MTV mainstay in the 1980s and later became a longtime Sirius XM radio host, died Wednesday. 

He was 66, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. 

The cause of death was a “cardiac event,” according to a statement posted by his family on his Mojo Nixon World Empire Facebook page.

Nixon died while at sea on the week-long 2024 Outlaw Country Cruise, which set sail Sunday from Miami. He was a regular performer and host on the cruise, which debuted eight years ago and whose extensive lineup this year also includes Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, Los Straitjackets and former San Diegan Rosie Flores.

Nixon’s final performance took place Tuesday evening on the cruise when he performed with his band, The Toad Toadliquors. The Wednesday post on his Facebook page indicates he was in good spirits before his death.

It reads: “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.”

A larger-than-life figure, on stage and off, Nixon rose to prominence in the 1980s as one half of the San Diego duo Mojo Nixon & Skid Roper. Nixon sang and banged on an empty water jug. Roper played guitar and other stringed instruments. Together, they recorded such proudly left-of-center songs as “Burn Down the Malls,” “Jesus at McDonald’s,” “Destroy All Lawyers” and “Elvis is Everywhere,” for which Nixon and Roper made a video that became a hit of sorts on MTV.