Mötley Crüe’s Nikki Sixx has been around for a hot minute. He’s no stranger to the rock star lifestyle, considering he’s the co-founder and only constant member of the rock band in question. And if anybody knows the truth behind true creativity and longevity in the world of rock and roll, it’s Sixx.
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He’s also rarely shied away from being honest about life in the industry. Sixx has been bold enough to talk about everything from Mötley Crüe’s wild moments to his experience with copious amounts of drugs. And according to Sixx, drug use really isn’t what leads to creativity in music.
It’s an age-old assumption that rock stars make good music because of the drugs they take. That’s obviously not true, and in fact, drug abuse often leads to talented young musicians losing their lives. Still, it’s an often-assumed fact. Many of the greatest musicians of the last century have had pretty open and toxic relationships with drugs of all types and varieties.
Nikki Sixx Was Frank About How Drugs Put a Damper on His Energy and Resilience in the Industry: “Sobriety Gives You More Energy and More Creativity”
Back in 2017, when speaking with Ari Melber for MSNBC, Sixx went into quite a bit of detail about his own personal battles with drug abuse. And he was clear about the consequences of being sucked into a world of excess and drugs.
“I was thinking about 1987 and how I was barely able to get an album done and a tour,” said Sixx. “And, actually, the tour was canceled, the last part of the tour.”
Naturally, drugs were the culprit behind Sixx struggling to get through an album and tour.
“And in 2017, I’m able to do a radio show, write books, do photography, be a better husband, a father, and be part of these conversations that are happening,” Sixx continued. “So I really think that sobriety gives you more energy and more creativity.”
Well, there you have it, kids. Drugs won’t make you a better rock star!
Sixx isn’t the only famous musician to share this sentiment. Back in the day, Fleetwood Mac’s famous singer and songwriter, Stevie Nicks, shared a similar experience.
“I walk onstage every night now and do a three-hour show with Fleetwood Mac, and I have a great time up there,” said Nicks. “I wish I had known that I actually had the energy to do this entire set totally sober and get just as excited.”
Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for SiriusXM
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