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2026 marks the 45th anniversary of very longtime HardRadio friends MOTLEY CRUE. Bassist NIKKI SIXX has posted the following message on social media: "As time rolls on, you forget the little things—the small, throwaway moments that years later turn out to be the birth of something that changes you... and a lot of other people's lives. Back then, I was pretty much living in a dilapidated house just off Lankershim Boulevard in North Hollywood. Falling apart. Barely hanging on. Worth noting, though—it did have a waterbed and an old rotary Bakelite phone, so yeah, we were doing just fine. That was the house where I showed a 17-year-old Tommy Lee a pile of songs that would later end up on our debut album. It's where we first met Mick Mars. It's where we dreamed, jammed, argued, laughed, and tried to turn noise, attitude, and fun into something you could actually explain.
We rehearsed like madmen. Burned through a few singers before we finally met Vince Neil. That house—four broke, ratty kids with nothing but ideas and nerve—was where the name Motley Crue was born. Along with about a million other stories that probably shouldn't be told in polite company. The bottom line is this: we all start somewhere. And most of the time, we have no clue what's about to come out of those first moments. In that house, Motley Crue was born 45 years ago. I hope you've enjoyed the ride as much as we have. Proud to be part of this band. Thank you to Vince, Tommy, and Mick for decades of loud, dangerous, honest music. I still go back and look at those old lyrics and wonder how the hell I had the balls at that age to play and say what we said—and nobody ever questioned us. Complete creative freedom. Thank you. And God bless the Children of the Beast. — Nikki Sixx"
HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES - the American rock supergroup featuring longtime HardRadio friend Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp, Joe Perry and Tommy Henriksen, have announced UK and European tour dates for August/September 2026. A message from the band states: "After almost three years away, we're finally coming back to tour the UK and Europe!! Joining us in the UK are special guests The Jesus And Mary Chain and The Damned with more guests TBA for our EU shows. Tour dates: August 12 - The O2 - London, UK (with The Jesus and Mary Chain). 14 - Cardiff Castle - Cardiff, UK (with The Damned). 15 - Scarborough Open Air Theatre - Scarborough, UK (with The Damned). 17 - OVO Hydro - Glasgow, UK (with The Jesus and Mary Chain). 18 - AO Arena - Manchester, UK (with The Jesus and Mary Chain). 19 - Utilita Arena Birmingham - Birmingham, UK (with The Jesus and Mary Chain). 21 - Colchester Castle Park - Colchester, UK (with The Damned). 22 - The Piece Hall - Halifax, UK (with The Damned). 25 - Arena Nurnberger Versicherung - Nuremberg, Germany. 26 - Adidas Arena - Paris, France. 28 - Lanxess Arena - Koln, Germany. 30 - Barclays Arena - Hamburg, Germany. September 1 - Parco della Musica di Milano - Novegro-Tregarezzo, Italy. 2 - Castello Carrarese - Este, Italy.
