Mötley Crüe’s Nikki Sixx recently addressed his role as a bassist and warned about how having an ego might ruin bands. He shared his perspective in an interview with Guitar World.
Sixx’s comments came in response to a question about his involvement in various aspects of his projects and whether it’s difficult to focus solely on being a bassist.
“If you’re a bass player, you’re a creative person. And that means you can do everything,” Sixx said. “You can write songs and lyrics, you can design things for your band. You can be involved in everything.”
Sixx then delivered a sharp critique of ego-driven musicians. He emphasized the importance of serving the music rather than personal glory.
“Ego will tell you that you are everything. If you’re wise and in tune, you’ll know you’re a part of everything – in music, that’s when things get really great,” he continued. “I always say, ‘My ego’s not my amigo.'”
The veteran rocker specifically called out bandmates who prioritize their individual sound over the collective musical experience.
“I see these cats that say, ‘Man, turn up my snare drum,’ or, ‘I want my guitar to shred all the way through.’ They’re missing the whole point,” Sixx explained. “Music is for the listener, not the musician. When it’s not about the music, what are you doing?”
Sixx’s philosophy on collaboration stems from his extensive experience as Mötley Crüe’s creative driving force since the band’s formation over four decades ago.
93.3 WMMR reported that Nikki Sixx served as the main songwriter for the band’s music. Other members also had a part in the songwriting credits. This collaborative approach has resulted in some of the band’s biggest hits, including “Kickstart My Heart” and “Too Young to Fall in Love.”
The bassist’s multi-faceted role extends beyond just playing bass. Guitar World noted that he is recognized as one of the most prominent bassists in rock. He is also a best-selling author and photographer who has lived one of the loudest lives in music history.
Mötley Crüe’s success story began when Nikki Sixx formed the band on January 17, 1981. Loudwire revealed that his life took wild twists and turns on the road to success. The band went on to achieve massive commercial success with seven platinum or multi-platinum certifications and nine Top 10 albums on the Billboard 200 chart.
Sixx’s recent comments about ego reflect the wisdom gained from nearly five decades in the music industry. He started his career in 1975 and continues to influence rock music through his collaborative approach and dedication to serving the song rather than individual glory.
