Nikki Sixx is standing firmly behind Vince Neil, especially after the singer made a strong return to the stage during MÖTLEY CRÜE’s Las Vegas residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM. The residency had originally been scheduled for the spring, but the band postponed the shows after Neil revealed that he had suffered a stroke last Christmas. Because of that sudden and serious health scare, many fans wondered how he would sound once he returned.
As it turns out, Sixx says Neil delivered one of his strongest vocal performances in years. The bassist responded to a fan on social media who claimed that “Vince needs to get in shape and fix his voice first” before heading out on the just-announced 2026 summer tour featuring TESLA and EXTREME. Sixx didn’t hesitate to defend his bandmate.
He wrote on X:
“Did you hear him in Vegas? He sounded solid and bad ass.”
That comment quickly gained attention because of how openly people had discussed Neil’s health during the months leading up to the residency. Yet, instead of struggling, Neil surprised many fans with improved movement, strong vocals, and an energy level that left the band excited for the future.
John 5 Also Praises Vince Neil’s Performance
Sixx wasn’t the only member of MÖTLEY CRÜE who felt proud of Neil’s return. During a September 15 appearance on SiriusXM’s “Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk,” the band’s guitarist John 5 was asked how he, Tommy Lee, and Sixx thought Neil would perform less than a year after his stroke. John 5 admitted that the band carried some uncertainty going into rehearsals. Yet the moment they saw him move and heard him sing, their doubts disappeared.
John 5 explained:
“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.’ And he looks great.”
Throughout the residency, John 5 made a point to encourage Neil as he continued recovering from physical and vocal challenges. The guitarist often visited Neil backstage to check in and offer support. Their bond became stronger as Neil pushed himself to deliver his best performances in years.
John 5 continued:
“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. So maybe he was just, like, ‘Oh, okay,’ and then just everything clicked. I mean, he’s killing it.”
Beyond Neil’s movement and endurance, what impressed John 5 most was the strength of Neil’s actual vocal delivery. Because the residency was performed live without the help of backing tracks, the improvement in Neil’s singing stood out even more.
The guitarist emphasized:
“And there’s no tracks or anything like that. He’s just singing great… When I heard ‘Home Sweet Home’, I was, like, ‘Holy sh-t. This is really, really great.'”
Because the “Home Sweet Home” performance carried emotional weight, many fans singled it out as a highlight of the residency. John 5 said the entire band felt energized by how powerful the shows became.
He added:
“And the guys in the band were, like, ‘This is some of the best shows we’ve ever done.’ So, we’re super, super excited.”
The Comeback Story Fans Didn’t Expect
Vince Neil’s return to the stage came with more pressure than usual. After revealing that he had suffered a stroke during the previous holiday season, Neil explained that he needed to relearn how to walk. He also worked through vocal exercises and underwent physical therapy to regain strength and balance. Because of these struggles, many fans were unsure what to expect from the residency.
Yet instead of delivering a cautious or scaled-back performance, Neil surprised the audience with confidence and improved stamina. His movement across the stage appeared smoother, his vocals sounded clearer, and his timing aligned tightly with the rest of the band. These improvements were meaningful not just for him but also for fans who grew up watching MÖTLEY CRÜE dominate the biggest stadiums in the world.
Sixx’s public defense of Neil wasn’t just loyalty — it was a reflection of what the entire band experienced firsthand. The residency allowed Neil to prove he was ready for full-scale touring again, and his bandmates took notice immediately.
Why the 2026 Tour Feels Different
With Neil showing real progress, the band feels confident heading into the summer 2026 tour with TESLA and EXTREME. Because the residency was live, without heavy effects or vocal support, fans saw the raw form of what Neil now brings to the stage. This organic improvement is part of why Sixx responded so strongly on social media. The bassist wants fans to understand that Neil has worked hard to recover and continues pushing himself every day.
Additionally, members like John 5, Tommy Lee, and Sixx agree that the Las Vegas run included some of the tightest performances they have played in recent years. That excitement has fueled the energy behind the 2026 tour announcement.
For fans who watched Neil struggle in past years, this moment represents a true comeback. The band has often said that MÖTLEY CRÜE works best when all four members are firing together, and the residency proved that this unity is stronger than ever.
