Nikki Sixx recently commented on Vince Neil’s recovery and return to the stage following his stroke. He shared his thoughts in an interview featured on Trunk Nation with Eddie Trunk. The Mötley Crüe bassist expressed pride in his bandmate’s resilience and determination to overcome the health challenge.
Sixx reflected on the uncertainty the band faced when Neil suffered his stroke. This health crisis forced them to cancel their initial Vegas residency. He emphasized the importance of health and the courage it took for Neil to return to performing.
“I feel great about that. I’m proud of him,” Sixx said. “When the whole thing went down and he had the stroke, and we had to cancel the first Vegas residency, there was doubt. We didn’t know if he was going to recover from this.”
The bassist stressed that health supersedes fame and wealth. Without it, success means little.
“Your health is everything,” he continued. “I don’t care how big your band is. I don’t care how big of a star you are. I don’t care how wealthy you tell people that you are. If you don’t have your health, like you really got nothing.”
Sixx highlighted how the band supported Neil throughout his recovery. The band worked with him in rehearsals to help restore his vocal abilities. He praised Neil’s openness about his condition, noting that it sends an important message to others facing adversity.
“The fact that he did get on stage, and I’m appreciative that he went out and talked about that because there’s a lot of people that, when stuff goes wrong in their life, people either write them off or they can’t survive it,” Sixx said. “We spent a lot of time in rehearsal, giving that opportunity to get that muffle in shape, you know, the vocal cords. And I was so happy that it just sounded so good. It felt good.”
Neil’s health crisis came suddenly. Fox News reported that the Mötley Crüe frontman suffered a stroke on December 26, 2024, which left his entire left side paralyzed. The severity of the incident forced the band to make difficult decisions about their upcoming performances. The Vegas residency became a symbol of both the challenge ahead and Neil’s determination to overcome it.
The recovery process proved to be grueling but transformative. Neil underwent intensive physical therapy at home in Nashville from January through the summer of 2025. He worked out with a football coach and focused on regaining strength and mobility. His progress was steady but demanding, as he progressed from a wheelchair to a walker, then a cane, and eventually walking unaided.
Mötley Crüe postponed their March–April 2025 Las Vegas residency at Dolby Live (Park MGM). The band rescheduled the shows to September–October 2025, with the residency kicking off on September 12, 2025. This rescheduling gave Neil the time he needed to focus on his rehabilitation without the pressure of an imminent performance schedule.
Neil’s return to the stage marked a significant milestone in his recovery. He made his comeback performance in August 2025, joining Bret Michaels at MGM Music Hall at Fenway in Boston. He then rejoined Mötley Crüe for the first rescheduled Vegas residency show in September 2025. Neil has reported being about 90–95% recovered and continues conditioning to regain full strength. His recovery demonstrates the power of determination and professional support in overcoming life-altering health challenges.
