During a September 15 appearance on SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk, MÖTLEY CRÜE guitarist John 5 opened up about the band’s long-awaited Las Vegas residency and how frontman Vince Neil defied expectations less than a year after suffering a stroke.
The group officially kicked off their shows on September 12 and 13 at Dolby Live at Park MGM, marking a triumphant return after the residency was delayed earlier this year due to Neil’s health scare.
Vince Neil’s Remarkable Recovery
Fans were understandably concerned when news first broke that Vince Neil had suffered a stroke last Christmas, leaving him to relearn basic functions like walking. But according to John 5, those fears were put to rest the moment rehearsals began.
“Well, we didn’t really know, but when we got into rehearsal, we were, like, ‘Oh. He’s moving good.’ And then he started singing, and we were, like, ‘Oh my God, he’s singing great, actually.’ So I don’t know what happened, but he is — I’ve been in the band for three years now, and he’s singing so well. I’m, like, ‘Wow, this is incredible.’” — John 5 (Transcribed by Blabbermouth)
John 5 revealed that Neil not only surprised the band with his improved vocals but also looked healthier than ever.
“He looks great. And I just go into his room all the time and tell him how proud I am of him. Because in the [Las Vegas Review-Journal] interview [where Vince first revealed his stroke], he said, yeah, he had to learn how to walk again and all that stuff. I mean, that’s serious stuff… He’s killing it.”
For John 5, the moment he heard Neil sing “Home Sweet Home” in rehearsal was proof of how far the frontman had come.
“When I heard ‘Home Sweet Home’, I was, like, ‘Holy sh-t. This is really, really great.’ So I’m just so proud of him. And the guys in the band were, like, ‘This is some of the best shows we’ve ever done.’”
No Backing Tracks, Just Raw Energy
In recent years, rock fans have criticized certain live performances for relying too heavily on backing tracks. John 5 made it clear that this wasn’t the case for MÖTLEY CRÜE.
“There’s no tracks or anything like that. He’s just singing great.”
The honesty in Neil’s performance impressed not just the band, but the fans who filled Dolby Live for the first two shows.
High Risks and High Rewards on Stage
Beyond the music, MÖTLEY CRÜE’s residency has pulled out all the stops in terms of stage production. According to John 5, one of the more nerve-wracking moments happens when he and Nikki Sixx perform on elevated lifts during “Kickstart My Heart.”
“Me and Nikki go up on these lifts, like in [KISS’s] ‘Alive II’ or something like that. But the lifts, they’re small; they’re not big at all. They’re a little bit larger than a seat cushion… Most of the time they strap you in, but we’re not strapped in. We just are holding on to this bar.”
The guitarist admitted that things got even trickier during the confetti blast.
“So we’re playing ‘Kickstart My Heart’, and then I’m, like, ‘Oh, okay.’ Everything’s going really good. Then the confetti goes, boom, and all this confetti… I can’t see a thing. I’m, like, KISS ‘Alive II’, in the inner sleeve. It’s just raining confetti. I’m, like, okay, just balance. Try to figure out what you’re playing.”
The Band Is Stronger Than Ever
Despite the challenges, John 5 says the residency has been a joyful experience for both the band and their fans.
“The first two shows have been so much fun. We’re all having a blast. This is some of the best shows we’ve ever done. So, we’re super, super excited.”
With Vince Neil showing renewed strength, Tommy Lee pounding the drums with trademark intensity, Nikki Sixx firing up the crowd, and John 5 bringing his signature guitar magic, it seems the Las Vegas residency has revitalized MÖTLEY CRÜE.
