The groundbreaking psychobilly singer-songwriter behind such '80s deep cuts as “Elvis is Everywhere” and “Debbie Gibson is Pregnant with My Two-Headed Love Child” has died at age 66 after suffering a heart attack on a cruise ship where he was performing.
I have fond memories of him as the afternoon DJ on KGB-FM in San Diego in the early 2000s. In a time where radio was already becoming corporate and same-y, he wasn’t afraid to deviate from the Clear Channel-approved classic rock playlist and spin some underground punk and garage stuff I’d never heard before.
Performing on a cruise ship? Sounds like he was predeceased by his career. I got a kick out of the guy whenever I heard him (I think I saw him perform at a Rev. Horton Heat show once) but that just sounds sad.
According to the part of the linked article I could see (the rest is behind a paywall), the Outlaw Country Cruise, “an annual music cruise where he was a co-host and regular performer.”
I was listening to the above-mentioned KGB-FM one afternoon in 2003 when he broke in between songs to announce that Cash had died. I’d heard of Cash before, but never actually heard his music. Mojo said he didn’t care that Cash was a country singer and this was a rock station, because in his mind Cash exemplified the very spirit of rock & roll, and he talked about how that famous black-and-white picture of Cash giving the finger to the camera was a big inspiration to him, then he played “A Boy Named Sue” uncensored.
He was the real deal. He walked the walk. He was nice to everybody. RIP Kirby.
PS: In addition to Michael J. Fox, he claimed in 1993 that Michael Bolton and Rush Limbaugh had no Elvis in them (on stage at Max’s On Broadway, in Fells Point, Baltimore, five feet from me).
What a gut punch to learn about his death. I hope he has gone to
‘Mojo World!
Where there’s waterslides
With loop-de-loops
And barbeque sauce in the waterslides
And there’s go kart tracks
Going through the middle of the loop-de-loops
And the waterslides
And there’s drive-in movie theater!
Showin’ Vanishing Point, Two-Lane Blacktop and Thunder Road every night
And you can always buy
Cheez Whiz, Beanie Weenies, Royal Crown, Pomade
And liquor stores open 24 hours a day, everyday!
Yeah!’
My favourie song of his is this one from Root Hog or Die. No laugh out funny jokes, but filled with such a heartfelt sincerity:
I saw him and Skid Roper at the Rialto in Raleigh many moons ago. The moment he came on stage, he said “What’s this sittin’ down bullshit? Get up and dance!” Roper played a contraption that looked like a mop handle with a washboard and sink drain covers attached to it with a wire brush. Mojo played all his raunchy hits, but got oddly serious when playing “Football Friday Night.” Great show. At least he went out doing what he loved.
I found out my coworker Donna went to the same show. She said she and her sister were in the front row, and Mojo stepped in front of her and ground his hips in her face. She did not enjoy the experience.
