Country Songwriter and Performer Nick Nixon Passes Away
Mercury recording artist and #1 hit songwriter Nick Nixon has passed away, according to sources close to his family. He passed away around 4 PM Tuesday afternoon (7-30-13) after battling pulmonary lung disease. He leaves behind his wife Kim, and five children. Nick was 74.
The St. Louis native penned the million-selling hit “The Teddy Bear Song” that became a #1 for Barbara Fairchild in March of 1973, as well as many other notable country compositions in the late 60’s through the late 70’s. Nixon had 12 Top 40 hits over his career, and he released an album simply entitled Nick Nixon that landed his song “Rocking In Rosalee’s Boat” at #27 on the Billboard charts.
A newspaper article published on Nick Nixon once described his voice as “…a cross between Charlie Pride, David Wills, and a little Moe Bandy on the side. His country gentle approach to his music and fans attribute to his popularity and constant demand for performances”¦including the many charitable causes that he always finds time for.”
Born in Poplar Bluff, MO, and later moving to St. Louis, Nick Nixon became a fixture of the St. Louis country music scene after moving on from the mainstream music world, and would regularly perform on local radio. On April 21st of this year, friends and fans threw Nixon a benefit and tribute that included performances from Barbara Fairchild, Jim Glaser of the Glaser Brothers, Jimmy Payne, and many more. Nixon also worked in the real estate business in St. Louis.
Though much of Nick Nixon’s music is out-of-print, his timeless singing and sincere songwriting still hold up to this day.
July 31, 2013 @ 11:15 am
How many is there not that has been forgotten. It’s only a barroom is great! Thank’s Trigg.
July 31, 2013 @ 11:11 pm
He will be missed by so many.
August 13, 2013 @ 6:21 am
I just learned of Nick’s passing. I saw him perform many times at clubs in the St.Louis area and I have most of those twelve Top 40 hits mentioned above. “Leave Your Back Porch Light On” and “A Habit I Can’t Break” are my two favorites. Rest in peace, friend.
April 18, 2014 @ 9:36 pm
I moved to St. Louis in 1987 from Texas, when I arrived and went to Nicks club, and ask to set in, he said sure, after that I came to set in with Nick very often. I had a song that I wrote called Texas Bound, and needed a flop side, and nick wrote me a song called, “Love Me Again For The First Time “And it did get air play, on the radio, without Nick Nixon I would of never lived my dream and been on the radio, I’m waiting for the day I’ll meet you again my friend
December 12, 2014 @ 9:05 pm
I met Nick at the old Sheraton Airport, a sometimes poet..his daughter gave him my poems I regret turning down his offer to publish them… Sad day…Nick was a star but a friend to a houseman like me…miss you ol friend…sail down that river in heaven. David Glenn
March 10, 2016 @ 8:32 pm
nick Nixon used to be on a radio station live outside st. Louis , I used to listen to that station because it played all the old greats , hank Williams , and many others , nick Nixon would show up on that station , I think it was the last Friday of the month , something like that , it was the best part of my job , he brought a smile and good memories , I liked his stories , and I think he was a man that loved life , music and people .
May 5, 2018 @ 3:27 pm
He is the same person who, as a young marine stationed in Memphis, in 1957, almost took Elvis to court, but at the end backed away, as he, not Elvis had actually started the confrontation. He was talking to a girl, then Elvis appeared in his car, and the girl and everyone else that were with him rushed to Elvis’ car to talk to him. he felt terrible, wan ted to start a fight until Elvis drew a fake ´pistol which he had
gotten from the set of Jailhouse Rock. They were made to be friends by a judge, tight there, but never saw each other again.
January 19, 2019 @ 1:36 pm
As someone who grew up in STL, I was familiar with Nick Nixon’s music. I played guitar in Nick’s band in 1995 when I moved back to STL for a couple years from the west coast.Being blessed with the talent to be an exceptional vocalist, entertainer,or songwriter is a true gift reserved for few. Nick excelled at all three, plus could accompany himself on guitar and played harmonica when the mood struck him. He connected with people on a personal level both in person and through his recordings. His fans were so loyal, when we played shows 100 plus miles out of town, they would book hotel rooms for the evening and make the trip to be there,regardless of the fact that they just heard him locally the week before. Upon learning of his health issues and accepting the inevitable, Nick and I collaborated to produce a compilation CD titled The Nick Of Times. The disc features songs he charted while recording for Mercury Records, material from his days with MCA records, and a few songs he penned in the years prior to his passing. All remastered in the digital domain. The CD will be available for purchase as of 2/15/19 from Fate and Friends Music Distribution. fateandfriendsmusic.com.