Mötley Crue singer Vince Neil revealed that he suffered a stroke the day after Christmas that made him lose control of his “whole left side.”
During a conversation with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Neil was questioned about the reason behind the American heavy metal band’s decision to delay their 2025 Las Vegas residency from March to September.
“I had a stroke,” Neil told the outlet. “My whole left side went out.”
As Neil explained to the Review-Journal, he felt healthy when he went to bed on Christmas Day in 2024. However, the following morning, he discovered he was unable to get out of bed. He revealed that he had experienced a stroke while sleeping.
This started a long road to recovery for Neil.
Neil shared with the newspaper, “Relearning to walk was a challenge.” He also mentioned that the doctors were skeptical about his return to the stage, to which he responded confidently, “No, no, I’m gonna do it. Watch and see.”
Originally, Mötley Crue had planned their Las Vegas residency from March 28 to April 19. However, in March, they announced it would be moved to September due to a “necessary medical procedure” that Vince Neil’s doctors had advised.
Neil emphasized in a statement then, “Taking care of my health is my number one priority so I can give you the incredible performances you deserve. I’m eager to get back on stage.” He added thanks for the continued support and well wishes, saying they mean more than words can express.
And Neil made good on his promise. He performed at MGM Music Hall at Fenway in Boston last month.
Expressing his enthusiasm on Instagram, Neil wrote, “Thrilled to be back performing the past three nights with my brothers Stephen Pearcy ‘Ratt’ and @bretmichaelsofficial!!”
And on Friday, Mötley Crue — lead singer Neil, bassist Nikki Sixx, drummer Tommy Lee and guitarist John 5 — kicked off their long-awaited residency at Las Vegas’ Dolby Live at Park MGM.
Their residency will end on Oct. 3.
Mötley Crue was formed in California in 1981 by Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee, with Neil and guitarist Mick Mars joining soon after. The band’s lineup changed a few times over the years, with Neil taking a break in the 1990s and guitarist John 5 joining in 2023 after Mars retired.
The band has sold over 100 million albums worldwide and had seven albums go platinum or multiplatinum in the U.S., plus three Grammy nominations.
A biographical film based on their bestselling book, “The Dirt,” premiered in 2019.
