Just learned this morning that Punk-a-billy Pioneer Mojo Nixon has slipped this mortal coil.
If you don’t know Mojo, my condolences. He really defies explanation.
The first tune of his I ever heard was “Jesus at McDonald’s”… and yes, it’s about as weird as you can possibly imagine. “Mushroom Maniac” and “Debbie Gibson is Pregnant with my Two-Headed Love Child” are just a few more of his outlandish gems from way back when… The titles alone should give you some idea of what you’re dealing with here…
Mojo and his musical partner, Skid Roper, put out a series of off-the-wall records back in the early days, and they were just fun and whacky. No real musical prowess, though they certainly had a sound all their own.
I was lucky enough to see Mojo and Skid once at The Laundry Works in San Jose, must have been ’86/’87 and it was just a good ol’ silly time. Goofy party music.
I read that he checked out after a blazing live set and closing down the bar. I would have expected nothing less.
Mojo, you’ll be missed. You charted your own path and did things your way. And for that the world is a better and weirder place for which I and many Gen X / punk rock kids are grateful!
Yesterday the Mrs. and I attended a “Celebration of Life” gathering in memory if my dearly departed Uncle Jack.
My Uncle Jack was a really special guy, the life of the party and a friend to everyone he met. He married my father’s sister when I was but a small kid and I’d say of all the extended family I’ve got, we spent the more time with them than with any other relations, on both sides of the family. I always, ALWAYS looked forward to a visit with Uncle Jack and Aunt Mary.
Yesterday my Aunt asked folks to share stories and such of Jack, but I found myself a little too emotional to speak. Although he passed some time ago, I suppose yesterday was the first time it felt real and I really started to process his loss. Anyhow, I thought I’d share one particular memory of him here, for posterity. And maybe eventually, I’ll let people in my family know about this blog and share it with them.
This is a story- one of many I’m sure- that captures just what a special guy Uncle Jack was…
So, many decades ago, I must’ve been maybe 10 or 11 at the most, Aunt Mary and Uncle Jack invited me to go on a camping trip with them and some other family friends. I was so young, I don’t remember any of the details insofar as what lake we were at and exactly how long we were there, but what I can remember – clear as day, as though it happened last week and not 45ish years ago – was Uncle Jack taking me out to learn how to water-ski. Now, I was NOT an athletic kid by any stretch of the imagination, I was NOT a good swimmer and I’d never been on a boat, much less been dragged behind one attempting to stand up on a pair of skis. As you might imagine, things did not go well for me. But Uncle Jack was beyond patient, and kept encouraging me to keep trying. Well, I did. For a while. But I simply couldn’t get the hang of it and the excersize ended in frustration and embarrassment for me. I felt humiliation, though I didn’t even know that word back then. They hauled me back into the boat after I gave up, exhausted, bruised and beaten. All I wanted to do at that point was go home.
Now, this being the 1970’s, the usual adult response to this would have been to mock the kid for being a “pussy” or make fun of their failure to “toughen the kid up”. Not Jack.
Instead of making fun and letting me wallow in misery, he threw me in the driver’s seat and taught me how to drive the freakin’ boat! The next thing you know, I’d forgotten all about my humiliation and I’m having the time of my life pulling other folks around on skis, feeling like king of the world driving around this hot-rodded, kick ass ski boat.
The rest of the trip went without another skiing attempt for me, but I drove that boat every day and had the time of my life on that trip.
That’s how it was with Uncle Jack. He loved life and wanted everyone around to love it too. He was a very special man and I’ll never forget him.
Godspeed Uncle Jack. I’ll see you on the other side, and we’ll take another long overdue boat ride!
Just heard the news, legendary guitarist Jeff Beck has passed away at 78 years old.
Jeff’s career was underway before I was even born, but I’ve been a fan of his since I’ve known who he was.
His was such a unique voice. Both Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page eclipsed him in the fame and fortune department, but from my perspective Mr. Beck ran rings around the both of them. He was truly one of a kind. Iconic. A vessel.
My favorite song of his…
On top of his profound playing, he was also an avid hot-rod enthusiast, which just made him all the cooler to me.
Rest in peace Mr. Beck. Thank you for all your contributions throughout the decades. You will be missed.
The Boring Old Man 