Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx hits 50

Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx turned 50 on Thursday (December 11th), and probably no one is more surprised than Sixx himself that he made it. The California native was a major drug abuser during much of the band's first decade, and was once even declared dead for two minutes after overdosing on heroin. Since getting sober, however, Sixx has continued to record and tour, written a book, taken up photography and become president of a record label. He told us that sometimes he can't believe his current lifestyle: [ Click to listen if you have a backstage pass] "It's insane. It's insane. And you know what? If you manage it well, you can achieve so much on the planet, more than what I used to be able to achieve, which was, 'Let me write ten songs, record an album and go on tour.' That's it. That's all I did. That's like, ridiculous. If all I had to do was make a Motley Crue album and tour, I'd feel like I was gonna slit my wrists, I'd be so bored now."

Sixx's real name is Frank Carlton Serafina Feranna. He was born in San Jose and raised by his mother and grandparents after his father left the family.

After moving around several times, he struck out for Los Angeles on his own at the age of 17, first joining the band London before forming Motley Crue in 1981 witih drummer Tommy Lee.

The band released its debut album, Too Fast For Love, in 1982, and scored its commercial breakthrough in 1983 with Shout at the Devil.

Despite other hit albums such as Girls, Girls, Girls and Dr. Feelgood, the Crue went through a period of uncertainty in the 90s, with both singer Vince Neil and Lee leaving the group at different times.

The original band reunited in 2004 for a hugely successful world tour, at which point Sixx officially declared himself sober.

His darkest drug period was chronicled in a 2007 memoir, The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star, and the accompanying album by his side project Sixx A.M.

Sixx has been married twice, to Playboy Playmate Brandi Brandt and actress Donna D'Errico, and has five children. He is currently dating tattoo artist and L.A. Ink star Kat Von D.
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