On July 4, a monumental event unfolded in the world of hard rock music, as it showcased an unforgettable celebration titled Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath’s final performance. This historic concert, held at Villa Park in Birmingham, England—home of Black Sabbath—brought together nearly every iconic hard rock band of significance. Fans were treated to electrifying sets from legendary acts like Metallica, Slayer, Alice in Chains, Anthrax, Tool, and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler. The event was skillfully curated under the musical direction of Tom Morello, the talented guitarist known for his work with Rage Against the Machine and various collaborations.
Despite the star-studded lineup, one notable absence raised eyebrows: the legendary band Mötley Crüe. This iconic metal group, credited with igniting the hair metal movement in the 1980s, was unexpectedly missing from the Back to the Beginning show earlier this month. In response to a curious fan’s inquiry about whether Mötley Crüe had been invited to perform at Black Sabbath’s farewell concert and if bassist Nikki Sixx would have liked to participate, the 66-year-old musician provided a somewhat ambiguous yet revealing explanation.
Addressing the fan question, Sixx stated, “We have been having health issues within the band.” At the time of writing, there has been no official communication regarding which member is facing health challenges, as a spokesperson for the band had not responded to Billboard‘s request for further details. This lack of information leaves fans concerned about the well-being of the band and its future performances.
Following his brief interaction with the fan, Nikki Sixx—who famously survived a near-death experience in 1987 after a wild night of partying with members of Guns N’ Roses and Ratt—shared a more detailed note about his personal health journey. He emphasized, “As some of you know, I take my health extremely seriously. I work HARD and I’m not interested in dying from work and BS STRESS. I have my blood tested twice a year, and WE’RE focused on always evolving my health. This is my goal,” reflecting his commitment to maintaining wellness as he recently celebrated 24 years of sobriety.
In his message, he continued, “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.” He expressed gratitude for his family, stating, “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 have built? Absolutely not. This is it. Either get your act together or face the slow death crawl. We all die, but some just give up sooner. I’m planning on cracking 100. That will surely annoy the critics.” His words inspire both his fans and those struggling with similar challenges.
In April, Mötley Crüe made headlines when they withdrew from their scheduled performance on May 17 at the Boardwalk Rock Festival in Ocean City, MD, due to a medical issue affecting lead singer Vince Neil. Just a month prior, the band announced the postponement of their much-anticipated Las Vegas residency at the Dolby Live at Park MGM, which was originally slated for March 28 to April 19, due to a required medical procedure recommended by Neil’s doctors. This series of health-related events has understandably raised concerns among their devoted fanbase.
Neil reached out to fans, expressing his sincere apologies, stating, “To all the Crüeheads who were looking forward to seeing us this Spring, I’m truly sorry. My health is my top priority, allowing me to deliver the incredible shows you all deserve. I can’t wait to return to the stage.” He expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support and well-wishes he has received, conveying that the encouragement from fans means more than they might realize.
For those interested, you can view the exchange regarding the Back to the Beginning concert below.
