Daniel McMahon, a powerhouse in Rockford’s music scene, has died at age 41

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Daniel McMahon, a powerhouse in the local music scene whose success had brought him from stages across the country to scoring an Academy Award-winning film, has died after a monthslong battle with cancer. He was 41.

The community had rallied around McMahon since he revealed his diagnosis in June, with multitudes of people wearing shirts with his image in his signature look with sunglasses and a brim hat. There were also pint glasses, bandannas and tune knobs with his image that friends, fans and supporters bought to help fund his cancer treatments.

“I have received a tremendous amount of support from so many people in the community,” McMahon previously told freelance journalist Paul Arco, who was working on a story for the Rock River Current about McMahon’s illness and the community’s response. “So many businesses have reached out to offer their help and I’m extremely grateful.”

McMahon and Arco were supposed to meet for an interview earlier this week, but the multi-instrument musician, audio engineer and record producer had lost his voice. He was still optimistic about his recovery at the time and they planned to reschedule, but he took a sudden turn for the worse Wednesday night.

Friends and fellow musicians are remembering McMahon not only for his talent and success in the music industry, but for his willingness to lift others up.

“He was so welcoming,” said musician and songwriter Clark Kelly. “He is a major representative for the Rockford music scene and the community in general in a lot of ways, and I just appreciated that he was always very welcoming and friendly.”

Kelly worked with McMahon to record his song “Popsicle” earlier this year, and he had turned to McMahon multiple times to record music for his custom-songs business. But Kelly said before they even knew each other well, McMahon had illustrated his willingness to help a fellow musician in need.

Kelly recounted a time when he was struggling with technical issues during setup for a show at Prairie Street Brewing Co. in 2019, McMahon sprang into action without even being asked.

“He big brothered me. He helped me sort out problems that weren’t his issue,” Kelly said. “Just out of the goodness of his heart. If one of us wins, we all win in his mentality.”

McMahon has toured with multiple Midwestern bands, including Cory Chisel and The Wandering Sons and Cameron McGill. He was best known for his primary performing role as guitarist and backing vocalist for Miles Nielsen & The Rusted Hearts.

McMahon and Nielsen composed original music for the documentary “Undefeated” by former Rockfordian Daniel Lindsay. The film won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2012.

Former mayor Larry Morrissey later declared April 2012 as Dan Lindsay, Dan McMahon, and Miles Nielsen Month.

McMahon and Nielsen were also honored in 2012 with the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Rockford Area Music Industry. That same year he scored the 12-minute long short film that helped the Rockford Park District win the 2012 National Gold Medal Award for excellence in parks and recreation.

That video was directed by Pablo Korona, the visual storyteller behind the Our City, Our Story series. Korona said he had also turned to McMahon when he was looking for a way to bring life to the Our City, Our Story concept.

“I knew it needed more than visuals, something deeper to make people feel it. Dan’s music gave it purpose,” Korona wrote on social media. “His score doesn’t just sit in the background; it shapes how people experience a story. It moves them.”

McMahon turned to music in the sixth grade after breaking his leg. His father had an old guitar in the house, and 12-year-old McMahon picked up the new hobby while he recovered.

He never stopped.

Even after cancer had forced him to halt touring, McMahon was still putting out music. He worked remotely with producer Duane Lundy and other musicians to release “I Make Mistakes” on July 25 while he was still undergoing chemotherapy.

On June 15, McMahon told friends and supporters on social media that what he initially thought was a vocal issue turned out to be cancer discovered in his lower esophagus.

“Hug your loved ones and be kind to one another, life is fragile,” he wrote at the time. “I’m gonna fight hard to beat this and get back to the Rock’n’roll as soon as possible.”

Miles Nielsen & The Rusted Hearts had a candelabra with McMahon’s image that they would keep lit on stage so he could be with the band in spirit while health issues forced him to stay at home.

Mayor Tom McNamara said McMahon gave back to the community in a multitude of ways, from serving on the Rockford Area Venues & Entertainment Authority board to helping lead the OnStage Coronado series that delivered fans an intimate performance with them on stage with the artist.

“He was just incredibly smart, caring and tremendously talented,” McNamara said in a phone interview. “He was a fan favorite in the local music scene, from his colleagues and peers who are also musicians to audience members like myself who appreciated his talents.”

As the city’s mayor, there was another aspect of McMahon that McNamara appreciated.

“When he was out touring he was proud to say he was from Rockford,” the mayor said.

In addition to his work with Miles Nielsen & The Rusted Hearts, McMahon recorded and performed with Rock & Roll Hall-of-Famer Bun E. Carlos in the Monday Night Band.

Carlos, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a member of Cheap Trick, and The Monday Night Band are staples at Mary’s Place, one of the city’s oldest bars that is recognized as a key part of the city’s music scene.

“Can’t even begin to process the passing of Daniel McMahon. What he meant to us, and our community simply cannot be expressed in words,” Mary’s Place posted on social media on Thursday. “We’re so grateful to have been part of his life, and to have experienced his talent and kindness firsthand. Rest in peace dear friend. Things will never be the same without you.”

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas