"I had to learn to walk again": Mötley Crüe’s frontman Vince Neil reveals stroke battle and recovery journey

2023 Big Machine Music City Grand Prix - Source: Getty
2023 Big Machine Music City Grand Prix - Source: Getty

Mötley Crüe’s Vince Neil revealed suffering from a stroke last Christmas, detailing in a recent interview how he was unable to roll out of bed the following day.

Speaking to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the frontman shared:

“I had to learn to walk again, and that was tough. The doctors said they didn’t think I’d be able to go back on stage again. I go, ‘No, no, I’m gonna do it. Watch and see.’”
Vince Neil, Stephen Pearcy And Vixen - Las Vegas, NV - Source: Getty
Vince Neil, Stephen Pearcy And Vixen - Las Vegas, NV - Source: Getty

Vince Neil added that his "whole left side went out," and explained that the health setback occurred while he was asleep on Christmas night.

The Kickstart My Heart hitmaker further said that his ailment and recovery journey were the cause of the band's postponement of their Vegas residency last March.

In a lengthy statement via Instagram, Mötley Crüe wrote:

"Mötley Crüe’s Las Vegas Residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM, originally scheduled for March 28th- April 19th, 2025, is moving to September 2025 due to a required medical procedure recently advised by vocalist Vince Neil’s doctors."

The frontman also included his personal message to fans.

“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's Mötley Crüe bandmates — Tommy Lee, Nikki Sixx, and John 5 — released a joint statement, reassuring fans:

“Please join us in wishing Vince a speedy recovery. We are looking forward for him to get well again and to take over Vegas together in September. We can’t wait to see you all out there, and thank you for your understanding and support in the meantime”.

The band's Vegas residency offlicially kicked off on September, and will run until early October.


Vince Neil reflects on his recovery: "It takes a while to get your brain to start moving your legs"

Meanwhile, in his chat with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Vince Neil revealed that the stroke affected his mobility, so he had to be in a wheelchair and be assisted when going to the bathroom.

“I went from people carrying me to the bathroom, because I couldn’t walk myself, finally to a wheelchair."
2023 Big Machine Music City Grand Prix - Source: Getty
2023 Big Machine Music City Grand Prix - Source: Getty

The rocker went on to say that he underwent physical therapy, which is why Mötley Crüe is now back in action.

"I graduated to a walker, and then I had a cane. Now I don’t need anything. But it’s like a full-time job getting back to where you feel good again.”

Aside from walking, Vince Neil said that he's doing "a lot of running," and claimed that he's about "95-percent to where I was before." Still, for the rock star, healing takes time.

"It takes a while to get your brain to start moving your legs, for them to do what your brain wants to do. You try to walk but it doesn’t come out right."
Edited by Gladys Altamarino