Just about every major hard rock band of note — or at least a representative or two — made it to the stage on July 4 for what was billed as Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath‘s final-ever gig. The celebration of all things Ozzy at Villa Park in Sabbath’s hometown of Birmingham, England featured sets from Metallica, Slayer, Alice in Chains, Anthrax, Tool, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, and many more, led by musical director Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello.
One conspicuous absence was Mötley Crüe. The veteran metal band that helped kickstart the hair metal revolution of the 1980s was nowhere to be found at the Back to the Beginning show earlier this month, and now Nikki Sixx is explaining why. When a fan wondered if “Motley Crue wasn’t invited to perform at Black Sabbath’s farewell?,” asking if Sixx “would have liked to have been there?,” the 66-year-old bassist gave a simple, if slightly vague answer.
“We have been having health issues within the band,” Sixx replied. At press time it was no known which member of the group is ailing and a spokesperson for the band had not returned Billboard‘s request for additional information.
Shortly after answering the fan’s question, Sixx — who had a near-death experience in 1987 after a night of drug-fueled partying with members of Guns N’ Roses and Ratt — posted a longer note about his own health. “As some of you know I take my health extremely serious. I work HARD and i’m not interested in dying from work and BS STRESS .I work up my blood twice a year and WE’RE focused on always evolving health my goal,” wrote the musician who recently celebrated 24 years of sobriety.
“Just got back today’s newest results and considering some misadventures in the past this 66 year old pirate ship looks ready to go back to sea,” the note continued. “I have a wonderful wife, 5 golden children and a beautiful granddaughter. Do you think any part of my past indulgences Is worth destroying the beautiful life I built? Never. This is it. Either get your shit tighter or die a slow death crawl.We all die, some just give up sooner….I’m planning on cracking 100. That will piss off the critics.”
In April, the band bowed out of their scheduled May 17 appearance at the Boardwalk Rock Festival in Ocean City, MD due to a medical issue affecting singer Vince Neil. A month earlier, they announced that their Las Vegas residency at the Dolby Live at Park MGM — originally scheduled for March 28-April 19, had been pushed back to September due to a “required medical procedure” Neil’s doctors had suggested.
“To all the Crüeheads who were looking forward to see us this Spring, I’m truly sorry. My health is my top priority so I can bring you the awesome shows you deserve, and I can’t wait to return to the stage,” Neil told fans at the time. “Thank you for all the well wishes that keep reaching me. Your support means more than you know.”
Check out the exchange about the Back to the Beginning show below.