Daniel J. McMahon obit

Daniel J. McMahon Obituary

 

He was not on the list.

Daniel James McMahon, 41, of Rockford, passed away on Thursday, September 19, 2024 after a brief battle with esophageal cancer. He faced his diagnosis with grace, bravery, and optimism. Born November 24, 1982, in Rockford, the son of James “Jim” A. and Janet L. (Sorensen) McMahon. Graduate of Lutheran High School, Class of 2001. Dan was an exceptionally talented musician, and referred to himself as a “musical expeditionary”. He played and eventually recorded and toured with many bands starting in high school, including Spoonful JC and a Rage Against the Machine cover band. At the age of 19, he moved to Appleton, WI to join Breathing Machine as their drummer. The band morphed into Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons for whom he primarily played lead guitar, followed by Cameron McGill & What Army. He was a founding member of Miles Nielsen and the Rusted Hearts, with whom he spent the majority of his career as a vocalist and lead guitarist. For the last several years he was also the lead singer for Bun E. Carlos and the Monday Night Band, who had a very strong local following in Rockford.

While touring and recording with the Rusted Hearts was his primary focus, Dan was also a talented music producer and engineer with his studio, The Midwest Sound. Together with Miles Nielsen, he was credited with writing and performing the musical score for the Academy Award winning documentary “Undefeated,” by Dan Lindsay in 2012. As a multi-instrumentalist, Dan was able to effortlessly play any instrument he picked up and contribute his talents to any genre of music. This allowed him to perform with and enhance the recordings of other musicians, and he wrote and recorded an abundance of his own music. Dan loved and was committed to the Rockford Community, and recently served on the Rockford Area Venues & Entertainment Authority Board of Directors.

Dan was an incredible musician but his personality was much bigger than his musical repertoire. He was a kind and amazing friend to a remarkable number of people all over the world. Maybe it was his unforgettable smile, his huge hugs, or his unbridled laugh; but he had an uncanny ability to charm people upon first meeting them. He had a sharp and witty sense of humor, and an incredibly calming presence. He was an old soul since birth and possessed a sage like wisdom, was gracious and non-judgmental, and he had a way of changing your life for the better. Dan was always up for an adventure and loved trying new things and going to new places, often saying things like “by the time we’ve talked about it, we could have just done it.” His family and friends were extremely proud of the way that he committed to sobriety and a healthier lifestyle two years ago, which makes his diagnosis so much more heartbreaking to all who loved him. He was an avid golfer, and loved watching sports…especially the Chicago Bears…with his friends and his dad. He dabbled in diverse hobbies such as painting, photography, cooking, and recently horticulture. At Age 41, he was on his way to becoming a renaissance man. Words cannot capture the incredible person Dan was, and he will be forever missed. As he would often say when parting ways, “the dude abides.”

On April 2, 2012, Rockford, Illinois, Mayor Larry Morrissey declared April 2012 Dan Lindsay, Dan McMahon, and Miles Nielsen month in the City of Rockford for their work on Undefeated. Also in 2012, he received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Rockford Area Music Industry (RAMI) organization and scored the 12 minute-long short film that helped the Rockford Park District win the 2012 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).

He owned and co-operated The Midwest Sound, a farm-house recording studio on the outskirts of Rockford, Illinois, and was a two-time RAMI Award winner (2013 and 2014) for Best Recording Studio.

Survived by his parents, Jim and Janet; sister, Rachel (Daniel Kinney) McMahon; a niece on the way; grandmother Gloria McMahon, and several aunts, uncles, numerous cousins, and his dog Floki who was a comfort to him during his illness. Predeceased by his grandparents, Lois & Wally Sorenson and Tom McMahon.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the fall following the birth of his niece, who he couldn’t wait to meet. We all know there will be a little of Dan’s personality in her. A date and location are forthcoming. Memorials may be made to the family for an educational trust to be set up in Dan's niece's name. Dan’s family truly appreciates the outpouring of messages and love they have received so far. With limited social media use, they ask you to please take the time to visit olsonfh.com to share memories, stories, and photos so they can cherish them and share them with his niece. Please also share where and how you met Dan, and where you are from.

“You belong among the wildflowers, You belong somewhere you feel free.” Tom Petty