Mötley Crüe frontman Vince Neil has disclosed that he suffered four strokes throughout his career, with the most recent and severe incident occurring in December 2024.
The revelation sheds light on the real reason behind the band’s delayed Las Vegas residency, which was initially postponed from March to September due to what was described as a vocal procedure.
Speaking to Eddie Trunk on SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation (as per Rolling Stone), Neil explained that two of the strokes went undetected at the time. “Two of ’em I didn’t even know I had. One of ’em was a mini stroke that happened, and I just lost feeling in my hand. And that was it,” he revealed. The singer recovered quickly from that particular episode, but the December stroke proved far more challenging.
Medical professionals discovered the extent of Neil’s condition when they found four scars in his brain, all clustered around the same area. “This last one, it was a big one,” Neil stated, describing how the stroke severely impacted his mobility and independence.
The December stroke left Neil unable to use his left arm and leg properly. “My left leg wouldn’t work, and my left arm wouldn’t work. So I had to get help out of bed. I couldn’t push myself up to get myself comfortable in bed. And I had to have help,” he explained. The recovery process required Neil to progress from a wheelchair to a walker, then to a cane, before eventually regaining his ability to walk independently.
Neil’s determination to return to performing drove his rehabilitation efforts. Despite doctors suggesting he might not perform again, the vocalist refused to accept that prognosis. “I was, like, ‘No, man. I can’t do that.’ And so I just tried. I worked my butt off to get back in shape to go onstage,” he said.
The recovery involved months of physical therapy in Nashville before Neil felt ready to rehearse with the band. While his voice remained unaffected, the neurological impact required significant work. “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,” Neil explained to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Neil estimates he’s now operating at approximately 95 percent of his pre-stroke capacity. His dedication to recovery enabled Mötley Crüe to proceed with their Las Vegas residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM, which launched earlier this month.
