Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx opened up about the toll decades of touring have taken on his body. He shared the update on the band’s ongoing tour in a post on Facebook.
The post detailed how years of life on the road have physically worn him down. It also listed the surgeries he’s undergone as a result and explained how he manages to keep performing despite the pain.
“As they say, the road eventually catches up with you,” Nikki Sixx said. “I love rock ‘n’ roll, but yeah—it’s hard on the body, especially as I get older and after doing this shit for a long-ass time. I’ve definitely been in better condition, but the good news is my stamina is still on point.”
“Here’s my running list of repairs, courtesy of 45 years of Mötley Crüe,” he continued. “Left knee meniscus surgery. Left hip replacement. Left shoulder rotator cuff surgery. Right shoulder trapezius transfer. Lower back fused two years ago. Basically, I’m part human, part spare parts at this point.”
“The only thing that keeps me out there touring through the pain is staying consistent with light weights, stretching, and cardio,” he added. “The road takes its toll—but I wouldn’t trade the adventure. Still standing. Still playing. Still loud.”
Despite the physical challenges, Sixx remains committed to the band’s continued touring schedule.
That commitment is on full display this year. Mötley Crüe is currently in the middle of “The Return of the Carnival of Sins,” a sprawling 33-date North American run. The tour kicked off on July 17 and is set to wrap up on September 26, 2026. Tesla and Extreme have joined the trek as support acts. They’re backing a band that shows no signs of slowing down despite the wear and tear Sixx described.
The tour has kept the band moving through amphitheaters and outdoor venues across the country, including a stop at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, in late August. Shows like that one underline just how demanding the current schedule is. They also put Sixx’s comments about his surgeries and recovery routine into sharper focus.
The physical grind isn’t the only thing Sixx has had to address on this run. Earlier in August, he pushed back against critics who accused the band of not performing live. He confirmed that Mötley Crüe does use backing tracks but insisted the band is still doing the heavy lifting onstage.
“We do play 100% live,” Sixx said. He explained that the idea to incorporate backing tracks came after watching Queen perform in concert.
Sixx has spent much of 2026 managing a body held together by surgeries and defending the authenticity of the band’s live show. Through it all, he’s proven that Mötley Crüe’s veteran lineup can still deliver on the road, pain and all.
