Nikki Sixx Discusses Vince Neil’s Health and Live Vocals After Fourth Stroke

Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx has spoken to USA Today about Vince Neil’s health in the wake of the singer’s fourth stroke, which struck on Christmas night 2024, calling it the band’s biggest ongoing concern. Sixx also described Neil’s determination to deliver strong live vocals during the band’s recently completed tour, while discussing Motley Crue’s upcoming fourth Las Vegas residency.

• Vince Neil suffered his fourth stroke in his sleep on December 25, 2024.
• Neil revealed in September 2025 that he had experienced a series of smaller strokes before that “big one.”
• Motley Crue’s “The Return Of Carnival Of Sins” tour began July 17, 2026 in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania.
• The band’s fourth Las Vegas residency, at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, is set to run from March 12 through April 3, 2027.

Vince Neil’s Recovery From His Fourth Stroke

Sixx confirmed that the health scare Neil endured over the 2024 holidays was actually his fourth stroke, telling USA Today, “his health is of most concern, as is the health of the band.” Neil later disclosed, in September 2025, that the episode on Christmas night 2024 was preceded by a string of earlier strokes, and that the final one left him unable to get out of bed the next morning.

In the aftermath, Neil needed a wheelchair to get around and went through a lengthy stretch of physical therapy before regaining his ability to walk. He has since reported reaching what he describes as a 90 to 95 percent recovery.

Neil has also spent years fielding harsh online commentary about his weight and about perceived drops in his singing ability on stage.

Nikki Sixx on Vince Neil’s Determination to Sing Live

Looking back on “The Return Of Carnival Of Sins” tour, Sixx said the rest of the band was wary of loading the setlist with songs that might strain Neil’s voice, but that Neil pushed back on holding anything in reserve. “Vince doesn’t want to pull any punches and we didn’t want to do any songs that maybe were too much on him,” Sixx said. “But he was, like, ‘I’m in.’ I want to do ‘Red Hot.’ I love these songs.”

Sixx said Neil’s performances improved noticeably once the tour reached the stage, after already sounding solid in pre-production rehearsals. “He really came to work and was sounding good pre-production. But once we hit the stage, he really came alive. He just wanted to be the best he could be,” Sixx said.

Sixx connected that drive directly to the criticism Neil has absorbed over the years. “He’s taken a lot of bricks in the face over the years for his vocals live, and he doesn’t like seeing that kind of stuff,” Sixx said. “So he really wanted to come in and not only prove to himself but to the fans that he’s vocally totally capable.”

Motley Crue’s 2026 Tour and Rescheduled Vegas Dates

Motley Crue’s 2025 Las Vegas residency was originally supposed to begin in spring of that year, but it was pushed back after Neil’s stroke. At the time, the band publicly cited only a “medical procedure” for Neil without elaborating. The rescheduled run eventually launched September 12, 2025 at Dolby Live at Park MGM and closed out on October 3, 2025.

The band’s 33-city “The Return Of Carnival Of Sins” tour, produced by Live Nation, kicked off July 17, 2026 at the Pavilion at Star Lake in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, with Extreme and Tesla as support acts. The run marked both the 20th anniversary of Motley Crue’s 2005-2006 “Carnival Of Sins” tour and the 45th anniversary of the band itself.

Motley Crue’s Fourth Las Vegas Residency

Motley Crue has announced an eight-show residency titled “Motley Crue At The Colosseum At Caesars Palace: Carnival Of Sins In Sin City.” It is described as running from March 12 through April 3, 2027, though the specific confirmed show dates released by the band begin a week later, on March 19.

This will mark the band’s fourth stint in Las Vegas, following “Motley Crue Takes On Sin City” in 2012, “Evening In Hell” in 2013 and “The Las Vegas Residency” in 2025. A portion of ticket sale proceeds from the 2027 residency will go to the Nevada Partnership For Homeless Youth, a Las Vegas organization that provides support services to homeless young people across Southern Nevada.

In a separate interview on the FOX5 Las Vegas program “More,” drummer Tommy Lee said fans attending the Caesars Palace shows should “expect the unexpected,” noting that a stationary residency setting gives the band more freedom than a touring production. Sixx added that the setlist for the residency, much like the summer tour, will continue to lean on songs chosen through fan input, pointing to the return of “Take Me To The Top” as an example of a deep cut that unexpectedly drew a massive reaction from crowds spanning multiple generations.

Motley Crue 2027 Las Vegas Residency Dates

• March 19: Las Vegas, The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
• March 20: Las Vegas, The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
• March 24: Las Vegas, The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
• March 26: Las Vegas, The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
• March 27: Las Vegas, The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
• March 31: Las Vegas, The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
• April 2: Las Vegas, The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
• April 3: Las Vegas, The Colosseum at Caesars Palace

More Info

• MÖTLEY CRÜEs NIKKI SIXX: VINCE NEIL Has Taken A Lot Of Bricks In The Face Over The Years For His Vocals Live | Blabbermouth
• Vince Neil Determined to Defy Critics of His Live Performance | Ultimate Classic Rock