MÖTLEY CRÜE frontman Vince Neil has revealed he suffered a stroke late last year, forcing him to undergo months of recovery and rehabilitation before returning to the stage.
In a candid interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal published Friday, Sept. 12, Neil, 64, spoke openly about the frightening health scare that nearly ended his performing career.
“I had a stroke,” Neil shared. “My whole left side went out.”
According to the singer, the stroke struck the day after Christmas. On Christmas night, he felt fine before going to bed, but by the following morning, he woke up to find his body had changed dramatically.
Residency Postponed
The stroke forced MÖTLEY CRÜE to push back their highly anticipated Las Vegas residency at Park MGM. Originally scheduled for March and April, the residency was postponed so Neil could undergo a required medical procedure. The new shows were rescheduled for Sept. 12 through Oct. 3.
“Mötley canceled the first part of the (residency) so I could get better,” Neil explained.
The decision meant fans had to wait months longer for the band’s return to the Vegas stage, but it also gave Neil time to heal and regain his strength.
Learning to Walk Again
Recovery was far from easy. Neil described how he initially lost basic mobility and had to endure months of physical therapy.
“I had to learn to walk again, and that was tough,” he said. “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.’”
At first, Neil required full assistance.
“I went from people carrying me to the bathroom, because I couldn’t walk myself, finally to a wheelchair,” he explained. “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.”
Neil also admitted the stroke left him struggling with the connection between his brain and body.
“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.”
A Voice Intact, A Body Rebuilt
Fortunately for Neil, his singing voice was unaffected by the stroke. That allowed him to focus entirely on rebuilding his physical mobility.
Months of therapy eventually paid off. Neil now says he’s nearly back to full strength.
“It’s been tough, but I’m back, I’m 90-, 95-percent to where I was before, and it’s going to be great,” he said proudly.
He even revealed that he has “learned how to run again.”
A History of Setbacks
This isn’t the first time Neil has faced health-related challenges in recent years.
In October 2021, the singer broke several ribs after falling off stage during a solo performance in Tennessee. The accident sidelined him temporarily, though he eventually recovered.
Earlier this year, MÖTLEY CRÜE had to cancel their planned appearance at the Boardwalk Rock Festival in Ocean City, Md., where they were scheduled to co-headline with Def Leppard. That decision came after Neil’s stroke forced changes to the band’s touring schedule.
The group first announced its Las Vegas residency in October 2024, but Neil’s health crisis delayed its kickoff until this fall.
A Triumphant Return
Now, after months of uncertainty, Neil is back on stage with his bandmates as MÖTLEY CRÜE launches its Vegas residency at Park MGM. The run kicks off Sept. 12 and continues through Oct. 3, promising fans an explosive show that nearly didn’t happen.
Neil credited determination, persistence, and support from those around him for making his comeback possible.
Despite the doubts of medical professionals, he refused to accept the idea that he’d never perform again.
“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.’”
For fans, Neil’s story adds a powerful layer of resilience to the MÖTLEY CRÜE legacy. The frontman not only defied the odds but also returned stronger than expected, proving once again why the band has endured for over four decades.
Looking Ahead
As the band resumes its residency in Las Vegas, Neil says he feels almost fully restored.
The upcoming shows mark not only a return to form but also a celebration of survival and determination. For fans who have followed Neil through years of ups and downs, his performance will be more than just another MÖTLEY CRÜE concert — it will be a testament to his grit and passion for music.
With his health scare now behind him, Neil is focused on the future.
And for fans lucky enough to catch the band’s Vegas shows, the sight of Neil back at the microphone will be living proof that, even in the face of life-changing challenges, rock and roll never truly dies.
