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 host 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.; December 11, 1958) is an American musician. He is best known as the co-founder, bassist, and main songwriter for the heavy metal band Mötley Crüe. He is the only member who has been with the band throughout its entire history.

Before Mötley Crüe, Sixx was part of a band called Sister. He then formed London with his bandmate Lizzie Grey. In 2000, he started a side project called 58 with Dave Darling, Steve Gibb, and Bucket Baker. They released one album, Diet for a New America. In 2002, he formed the hard rock supergroup Brides of Destruction with L.A. Guns guitarist Tracii Guns. In 2006, he formed another band, Sixx:A.M., with songwriter James Michael and guitarist DJ Ashba. This band was first created to make music for Sixx's autobiography.

Nikki Sixx has also worked with many other artists and groups. He has helped write or produce songs for musicians like Sex Pistols's guitarist Steve Jones, Lita Ford, Alice Cooper, Meat Loaf, Marion Raven, Drowning Pool, Saliva, and The Last Vegas.

In 2006, Sixx launched a clothing line called "Royal Underground" with Kelly Gray. It started with men's clothes and later added women's clothing. In 2010, he began hosting two national rock radio shows, "Sixx Sense" and "The Side Show Countdown," from Dallas, Texas.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Frank Carlton Serafino Feranna Jr. was born on December 11, 1958, in San Jose, California. His family has Italian roots from Prato, Tuscany. He spent part of his childhood with his mother and grandparents.

As he grew up, Feranna listened to many different bands. Some of his favorites included Deep Purple, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Queen, and Black Sabbath. Later, he discovered artists like David Bowie. He learned to play the bass guitar while living in Seattle.

Music Career Highlights

Early Bands: Sister and London (1975–1979)

When he was 17, Feranna moved to Los Angeles to try and join a band. He worked odd jobs while going to auditions. He eventually joined a band called Sister, led by Blackie Lawless. After recording a demo, Feranna and bandmate Lizzie Grey left Sister.

Feranna and Grey then formed their own band, London, in 1978. Around this time, Feranna officially changed his name to Nikki Sixx. London had several different members over time. After a while, Sixx left London. Other famous musicians like Blackie Lawless (from W.A.S.P.), Izzy Stradlin (from Guns N' Roses), and drummer Fred Coury (from Cinderella) were also part of London at different times.

Mötley Crüe: A Rock Journey (1981–Present)

In 1981, Nikki Sixx started the band Mötley Crüe with drummer Tommy Lee. They soon found guitarist Mick Mars through a newspaper ad and singer Vince Neil, who Lee knew from high school. The band recorded their first album, Too Fast for Love, themselves. It was released in November 1981 on their own label, Leathür Records.

After signing with Elektra Records, they re-released their first album. Their next album, Shout at the Devil, made them famous across the country. They released three more successful albums in the 1980s: Theatre of Pain (1985), Girls, Girls, Girls (1987), and Dr. Feelgood (1989). Dr. Feelgood was their most successful record, staying on the music charts for a very long time. Sixx and Lee were often called the "Terror Twins."

Nikki Sixx and Mick Mars performing onstage with Mötley Crüe in 2005

After a compilation album in 1991, Vince Neil left the band and was replaced by John Corabi. They released one album with Corabi in 1994 before Neil rejoined in 1996. They then released Generation Swine in 1997.

In 1999, Tommy Lee left the group. He was replaced by Randy Castillo, and they released the album New Tattoo in 2000. The band took a break but reunited in 2004. In 2001, a book about the band called The Dirt became a best-seller.

In 2006, Mötley Crüe went on a reunion tour with all four original members. They also toured with Aerosmith. In 2008, the band announced Crüe Fest, a summer tour that included Sixx's side project Sixx:A.M.. On June 24, 2008, Mötley Crüe released their ninth studio album, Saints of Los Angeles. Nikki Sixx helped write all the songs on this album.

Sixx wrote many of Mötley Crüe's well-known songs. These include "Live Wire", "Home Sweet Home", "Girls, Girls, Girls", "Kickstart My Heart", and "Dr. Feelgood". In the 1990s, all four band members started helping to write the songs.

Side Project: 58 (2000)

In 2000, Sixx started an online-based side project called 58. He worked with producer Dave Darling, guitarist Steve Gibb, and drummer Bucket Baker. They released one song, "Piece of Candy," and their album, Diet for a New America, in 2000. The group did not tour, and Sixx described it as "strictly an artistic thing."

Brides of Destruction (2002–2004)

Nikki Sixx and Tracii Guns formed Brides of Destruction in Los Angeles in 2002. This happened when Mötley Crüe took a break and Guns left L.A. Guns. DJ Ashba, who later joined Sixx in Sixx:A.M., was also invited to join this group.

After some changes in members, the band included Sixx, Guns, singer London LeGrand, and drummer Scot Coogan. They recorded their album Here Come the Brides. The Brides played their first show on November 14, 2002.

They signed with Sanctuary Records and released Here Come the Brides in 2004. The album did well on the music charts. They then toured in the US, Europe, and Australia, even playing at the Download Festival in the United Kingdom.

In October 2004, the group announced they would take a break as Sixx reunited with Mötley Crüe for a tour. The band continued without Sixx for a while.

Sixx:A.M. (2006–2017)

Sixx formed his band Sixx:A.M. in 2006 with his friends, producer/songwriter James Michael and guitarist DJ Ashba. Their song, "Life Is Beautiful", was played a lot on the radio and in videos. It reached number 2 on the rock charts.

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

The band played their first live show on July 16, 2007. They performed five songs from their album. In April 2008, Sixx:A.M. announced they would tour as part of Mötley Crüe's Crüe Fest.

In April 2009, Sixx and Michael confirmed they were recording new music. Sixx said the new songs were "inspiring." The band's second album, This Is Gonna Hurt, was released on May 3, 2011. A third album, Modern Vintage, came out in 2014. Prayers for the Damned and Prayers for the Blessed were released in 2016.

The band took a break in 2017. In 2021, they released a greatest hits album to go along with Nikki's fourth book, THE FIRST 21.

Other Creative Work

In 1989, Sixx was a guest artist on the album Fire and Gasoline by Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols. Sixx helped write and perform on the song "We're No Saints." In 1991, Sixx played bass on "Feed My Frankenstein" for Alice Cooper's Hey Stoopid album. Sixx also helped write "Die For You" with Cooper and Mick Mars.

In 2005, he worked with Norwegian singer Marion Raven on two songs, "Heads Will Roll" and "Surfing the Sun." In 2006, he was one of the songwriters for Meat Loaf's album, Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose.

In May 2021, it was announced that Sixx, along with Rob Zombie, John 5, and Tommy Clufetos, formed a supergroup called L.A. Rats. Their first song, "I've Been Everywhere," was for the movie The Ice Road.

Musical Equipment

Signature Bass Guitars

Nikki Sixx often plays Gibson Thunderbird basses. Between 2000 and 2003, Gibson made the Nikki Sixx Signature Blackbird bass. This bass was a standard Thunderbird but had a black finish, Iron Cross symbols on the fretboard, and Nikki Sixx's special 'opti-grab' (a metal loop for his finger). This bass also had a simple on/off switch instead of volume or tone controls, which helped give it a stronger sound. This model was later made by Epiphone as the Epiphone Blackbird.

In 2008, Gibson announced a new limited edition Nikki Sixx signature bass. This one had a clear 'satin black cherry' finish and red 'slash' X's on certain frets. It also featured a mirror pickguard with a red signature. Unlike the first Blackbird, this new signature bass had volume and tone controls, the 'opti-grab', and an on/off switch.

Personal Life

Nikki Sixx and Courtney Bingham in 2010

Nikki Sixx is married to Courtney Bingham. They were married on March 15, 2014. They have one child together, a daughter named Ruby Sixx, born on July 27, 2019. Sixx has also mentioned that he is working on a children's book with his wife.

Radio Shows

On February 8, 2010, Sixx Sense with Nikki Sixx began broadcasting. This show airs Monday through Friday and features Nikki Sixx discussing music and lifestyle topics. He gives listeners a look into the world of a rock star. He was joined by co-host Jenn Marino starting in 2014. The show is based in Dallas, Texas.

The Side Show with Nikki Sixx is another program that airs on weekends. On this show, Nikki Sixx plays top songs, introduces new artists, and welcomes guests from music and entertainment. In October 2017, Sixx announced that he would step down from Sixx Sense at the end of the year.

Helping Others: Running Wild in the Night

When Sixx formed his band Sixx:A.M., he also teamed up with a charity called Covenant House. He created his own part of the charity called Running Wild in the Night. This program helps fund the services that Covenant House provides. It also offers creative arts and music programs for young people. Sixx has worked to get musical instruments and software donated to the program.

A part of the money earned from his autobiography is given to help Covenant House. He also sells personal items to raise money for Running Wild in the Night. By April 2009, he had raised over $100,000 for the charity.

Selected Discography

Production and Songwriting Credits

Images for kids

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  Sixx in September 2007

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  Nikki Sixx and Mick Mars performing onstage with Mötley Crüe, on June 14, 2005, in Glasgow, Scotland

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

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  Nikki Sixx and Courtney Bingham at the Call of Duty: Black Ops Release Party in Santa Monica, California, on November 4, 2010

See also

In Spanish: Nikki Sixx para niños