Vince Neil Reveals It Was a Stroke That Delayed Motley Crue’s Vegas Residency, Saying He ‘Had to Learn to Walk Again’

Mötley Crüe’s long-awaited Las Vegas residency launched on Friday, having been pushed back by half a year from its originally planned March opening. The delay, first attributed vaguely to a “required medical procedure” for singer Vince Neil, is now known to have been caused by a serious health crisis. In an interview published Friday by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Neil disclosed that he experienced a major stroke in his sleep on Christmas night 2024, awakening the next day with total paralysis on his left side.

The 64-year-old frontman, whose tenure with the legendary glam metal band stretches back more than 40 years, described an arduous rehabilitation process. “Relearning to walk was absolutely brutal,” he admitted. “My medical team didn’t think I’d ever return to the stage. I said, ‘Just you wait.’” With support from his partner, Neil committed to months of intensive therapy at his 30-acre ranch, progressing from being carried to using a wheelchair, then a walker, and finally a cane before restoring his mobility. He emphasized the psychological dimension of recovery, noting, “Your brain has to rediscover how to communicate with your limbs.” Neil now estimates he has regained between 90 and 95 percent of his pre-stroke capacity.

Bandmate Nikki Sixx addressed Neil’s health cautiously in a separate Los Angeles Times interview, acknowledging the seriousness of the situation without explicitly naming the stroke. “He required significant recovery time and has shown incredible dedication,” Sixx remarked. “It takes real courage to push back against a grim prognosis.” Neil’s comeback has been closely watched since a recent solo performance in Boston drew divided reactions—some applauding his resilience, others noting vocal inconsistencies. The subsequent cancellation of another solo date only heightened fan concerns about his readiness for the demanding residency schedule.

Amid ongoing health discussions, both interviews also touched on the band’s legal conflict with former guitarist Mick Mars, who was dismissed in 2022 and later filed suit alleging the use of pre-recorded tracks during live performances. Neil firmly denied the accusation, contending that Mars was the sole member who needed supplemental audio due to inconsistent playing. “When he strayed off tempo or melody, our sound tech would simply cut his live signal and engage the backing track,” Neil explained.

The residency is taking place at Dolby Live at Park MGM—a 5,200-seat venue known for hosting major artist engagements along the Las Vegas Strip. The series includes 10 shows running through October 3. Fan forums and social media are actively dissecting footage from opening night as Neil vows to deliver his utmost at every performance. In other news, the band recently issued a new compilation titled “From the Beginning,” which spans their catalog from their 1981 debut through a recent collaboration with country music icon Dolly Parton on “Home Sweet Home.”