The Tragedies In Motley Crue’s Career

Mötley Crüe is one of the most notorious and successful rock bands in music history. Their band became synonymous with excess, rebellion, and chaos featuring wild lifestyles and larger-than-life music, setting the stage for a rock era that seemed to know no limits.

But behind all the glitzy exterior of fame and fortune, the band faced tragedy after tragedy, from near-death experiences to heartbreaking personal losses. The members of Mötley Crüe lived through a series of misfortunes that remind us that rock stardom isn’t all glam and glory.

The Car Accident That Changed Vince Neil’s Life

In 1984, tragedy struck when Mötley Crüe’s lead singer, Vince Neil, was involved in a car crash that claimed the life of Hanoi Rocks drummer Razzle. Neil was driving under the influence and crashed his car between two other vehicles. While Neil walked away with only minor injuries, Razzle wasn’t so lucky though. His death hit Neil hard, both emotionally and legally. He was charged and sentenced for the accident, but the guilt and grief of losing his friend weighed heavily on him for years. This tragic incident was the start of many personal and professional struggles for Neil.

The Overdose That Nearly Took the Life of Nikki Sixx

Nikki Sixx, the bassist behind Mötley Crüe’s hard-edged sound, had his own brush with death. In 1987, after years of battling addiction, Sixx overdosed on heroin and was declared clinically dead. He was revived by paramedics but that close call had a profound effect on Sixx. It became his turning point that helped him decide to get clean. Sixx later became an advocate for addiction recovery and used his experiences to fuel his music. In his memoir, The Heroin Diaries, Sixx shared the raw and honest account of his struggles and journey to recovery, giving fans an inside look at his darkest days.

Mick Mars’ Chronic Illness and the Pain of Rocking On

Mötley Crüe’s guitarist Mick Mars had to deal with his own battle behind the scenes. Diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis (A.S.), a painful, degenerative disease that affects the spine, Mars struggled with constant physical pain that made it difficult to perform. But despite these challenges, he continued to tour and play guitar for Mötley Crüe. Unfortunately, his condition worsened, and he eventually had to step away from live performances. He passed the torch to guitarist John 5 during the band’s later tours.

Vince Neil’s Worst Nightmare as a Dad

In 1995, Vince Neil suffered another devastating blow when his four-year-old daughter, Skylar, passed away from a rare form of kidney cancer called Wilms’ tumor. Skylar had been diagnosed years earlier and underwent numerous treatments. Sadly, she lost her battle with the disease. The tragic loss of his daughter shattered Neil and made his struggles with alcohol and substance abuse even worse. The grief he experienced was nearly unbearable and had its toll on his emotional well-being years after.

Nikki Sixx’s Toxic Relationship and Escalating Destruction

Nikki Sixx’s turbulent relationship with singer and actress Vanity (Denise Matthews) in the early ‘80s only added to his emotional chaos. Their romance was marked by heavy drug use, which led to Sixx becoming addicted to freebase cocaine. Vanity’s addiction issues led to her own health crisis, including near-fatal kidney failure. Though the toxic relationship was short-lived, it left deep scars on both of them and further led Sixx to drug use later affecting his mental health.

Nikki Sixx: Depression and the Battle Within

Mötley Crüe’s rise to fame and the pressures of rock stardom, combined with Sixx’s worsening addiction and declining mental health began to take a toll. By 1987, he was battling severe depression and paranoia. That period was one of the darkest moments of his career. Sixx wrote about these struggles in The Heroin Diaries, where he openly described the emotional and psychological toll that fame and addiction had on him. Years after that, Sixx became a vocal advocate for mental health, hoping to shed light on the struggles of many musicians facing similar issues.

The Heroin Diaries and New Beginnings for Nikki Sixx

In 2007, Sixx’s memoir, The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star, was published. The book offered a raw and unflinching look at his battles with addiction and a glimpse of his darkest days in rock stardom. Following the success of the book, Sixx formed the band Sixx:A.M. with DJ Ashba and James Michael. Their debut album, The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack, was inspired by the book and explored themes of addiction, recovery, and redemption. The band found success and this new chapter helped Sixx connect with fans in a way he hadn’t before.

Tommy Lee’s Journey After Mötley Crüe

Tommy Lee, the band’s wild drummer, has always been known for his larger-than-life persona. But his career didn’t stop with Mötley Crüe. Lee released a solo album in 1999 titled Never a Dull Moment, which experimented with electronic and industrial sounds. In 2005, he dropped Tommyland: The Ride, blending rock with hip-hop and electronica. Lee also made his mark in reality TV, starring in the show Tommy Lee Goes to College, where he enrolled at the University of Nebraska.

The Relentless Musician in Mick Mars

After Mötley Crüe’s farewell tour, Mick Mars continued to work on solo projects. He expressed interest in exploring new musical directions. Though his health struggles with ankylosing spondylitis delayed the release of his solo album, Mars’s passion for music remains strong. He’s still dedicated to his craft, proving that health issues can’t extinguish a true musician’s spirit.

The End of the Road for Mötley Crüe

After decades of chaotic rock ‘n’ roll excess, Mötley Crüe announced their final tour in 2014. They signed a cessation of touring agreement, marking the end of their live performances. However, even during their farewell, the band faced challenges. Vince Neil’s vocal struggles and Mick Mars’ ongoing health issues affected their shows, but the legacy of Mötley Crüe was undeniable. Though their farewell tour wasn’t without complications, there’s no doubt that the Mötley Crüe has earned their place among rock’s greatest bands.