Nikki Sixx facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nikki Sixx
Sixx in September 2007
Background information
Birth name	Frank Carlton Serafino Feranna Jr.
Born	(1958-12-11) December 11, 1958 (age 66) San Jose, California, U.S.
Genres	Heavy metal hard rock glam metal alternative metal
Occupation(s)	Musician songwriter radio personality record producer
Instruments	Bass
Years active	1975–present
Labels	Eleven Seven Elektra Mötley Sanctuary Leathür Warner Music Group Beyond

Nikki Sixx (born Frank Carlton Serafino Feranna Jr. on December 11, 1958) is an American musician, songwriter, and radio host. He is famous for being the co-founder, bassist, and main songwriter for the heavy metal band Mötley Crüe.

Before Mötley Crüe, Sixx was in a band called Sister and later formed a band named London. He has also been involved in many other music projects. In 2000, he started a group called 58. In 2002, he formed the rock supergroup Brides of Destruction with guitarist Tracii Guns.

Another one of his bands is Sixx:A.M., which he formed in 2006 with James Michael and DJ Ashba. The band was created to make music for Sixx's autobiography.

Sixx has also written songs and produced music for other famous artists like Steve Jones of the ... Pistols, Lita Ford, Alice Cooper, and Meat Loaf.

Besides music, Sixx started a clothing line called "Royal Underground" in 2006. He also hosted popular radio shows called Sixx Sense and The Side Show Countdown.

Early Life and First Steps in Music

Nikki Sixx was born Frank Carlton Serafino Feranna Jr. in San Jose, California. After his father left, he was raised by his mother and grandparents. He moved around a lot as a child.

As a teenager, he listened to bands like Deep Purple, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and Queen. He was inspired by artists like David Bowie and T. Rex.

When he was young, he had a difficult time and got into trouble. His grandparents sent him to live with his mother in Seattle. There, he bought his first bass guitar and taught himself how to play.

Career in Music

Starting Out with Sister and London

At 17, Sixx moved to Los Angeles to follow his dream of being a musician. He worked odd jobs while trying to join a band. He joined a band called Sister, but it didn't last long.

In 1978, he and another former Sister member, Lizzie Grey, started a new band called London. It was during this time that he legally changed his name to Nikki Sixx. After some changes in the band, Sixx left London to start something new.

Mötley Crüe: The Road to Fame

In 1981, Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee decided to form a new band. They found guitarist Mick Mars through a newspaper ad. Then, they asked singer Vince Neil, who went to high school with Lee, to join. This was the beginning of Mötley Crüe.

The band recorded their first album, Too Fast for Love, and released it on their own record label. After signing with Elektra Records, they re-released the album. Their next album, Shout at the Devil, made them famous across the country.

Throughout the 1980s, Mötley Crüe released more successful albums, including Theatre of Pain (1985), Girls, Girls, Girls (1987), and Dr. Feelgood (1989). Dr. Feelgood became their most popular album ever.

Nikki Sixx and Mick Mars performing with Mötley Crüe in Glasgow, Scotland, in 2005.

Sixx wrote most of Mötley Crüe's biggest hits. These include songs like "Live Wire", "Home Sweet Home", "Girls, Girls, Girls", and "Dr. Feelgood".

The band went through some changes in the 1990s. Vince Neil left and was replaced by singer John Corabi. They released one album with Corabi before Neil returned to the band in 1996. In 1999, Tommy Lee left and was replaced by drummer Randy Castillo.

In 2004, the original members of Mötley Crüe reunited. They released a book about their career called The Dirt, which became a bestseller. In 2008, the band released a new album, Saints of Los Angeles, and started a summer tour festival called Crüe Fest.

Side Projects: 58 and Brides of Destruction

In 2000, Sixx started a side project called 58. The band released one album, Diet for a New America. Sixx said this group was just for fun and not meant for touring.

In 2002, Sixx formed Brides of Destruction with guitarist Tracii Guns. The band released the album Here Come the Brides in 2004. They toured across the U.S. and Europe. Sixx left the band later that year to reunite with Mötley Crüe.

Sixx:A.M.

In 2006, Sixx formed the band Sixx:A.M. with singer James Michael and guitarist DJ Ashba. The band's name comes from the last names of its members (Sixx, Ashba, Michael).

Sixx (right) performing with James Michael as part of Sixx:A.M. in 2016.

..... It was created as a musical companion to Sixx's autobiography. The single "Life Is Beautiful" became a big hit on the radio.

Sixx:A.M. toured as part of Mötley Crüe's Crüe Fest in 2008. The band went on to release several more albums, including This Is Gonna Hurt (2011), Modern Vintage (2014), and two albums in 2016. The band has been on a break since 2017.

Other Work and Projects

Nikki Sixx has worked with many other musicians. He co-wrote songs for Alice Cooper, Lita Ford, and Meat Loaf. In 2021, he formed a supergroup called L.A. Rats with Rob Zombie, John 5, and Tommy Clufetos. They recorded a song for the movie The Ice Road.

In 2007, Sixx released his autobiography, which became a bestseller. The book is a collection of his journal entries from a difficult time in his life.

Sixx also hosted two radio shows, Sixx Sense and The Side Show with Nikki Sixx, from 2010 to 2017. On the shows, he talked about music and life as a rock star.

Personal Life

Nikki Sixx and Courtney Bingham in Santa Monica, California, in 2010.

From 1989 to 1996, Nikki Sixx was married to Brandi Brandt. They have three children: Gunner, Storm, and Decker.

A month after his divorce, Sixx married actress Donna D'Errico. They have a daughter named Frankie-Jean. The couple divorced in 2007.

In 2014, Sixx married Courtney Bingham. They have one child together, a daughter named Ruby, who was born in 2019.

Sixx is also an author and has mentioned he is working on a children's book with his wife.

Charity Work

After releasing his autobiography, Sixx started a charity program called "Running Wild in the Night." The program is part of the Covenant House charity, which helps young people in need.

Sixx's program provides a creative arts and music program for youth. He donates a portion of the profits from his book and music to the charity. He has also auctioned off his own items to raise money for the cause.

Discography

See also

In Spanish: Nikki Sixx para niños