Vince Neil facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Vince Neil
Neil performing at Wacken Open Air in 2018
Background information
Birth name	Vincent Neil Wharton
Born	(1961-02-08) February 8, 1961 (age 64) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Origin	Glendora, California, U.S.
Genres	Heavy metal hard rock glam metal
Occupation(s)	Singer
Years active	1981–present

Vincent Neil Wharton (born February 8, 1961), known as Vince Neil, is an American musician. He is best known as the lead singer for the famous heavy metal band Mötley Crüe. He was with the band from their start in 1981 until 1992. Vince Neil rejoined Mötley Crüe in 1996 and stayed with them until their break in 2015. He returned again when the band reunited in 2018. Besides his work with Mötley Crüe, Vince Neil has also released three solo albums. His most recent solo album, Tattoos & Tequila, came out in 2010.

Vince Neil is known for his unique look and singing voice. Many people connect him with the American glam metal music style of the 1980s.

Early Life and Interests

Vince Neil was born in Hollywood, California. His mother, Shirley, had Mexican family roots, and his father, Clois, had Native American family roots. When he was young, his family moved around Southern California. They lived in places like Inglewood and Watts. They finally settled in Glendora. Vince Neil went to Sunflower Intermediate School and later Royal Oak High School. As a teenager, he loved music. He was also interested in sports like surfing, basketball, baseball, football, and wrestling.

Music Career Highlights

Vince Neil at the 1990 Grammy Awards

Joining Mötley Crüe

Vince Neil was singing with his band Rock Candy when he was discovered. He joined Mötley Crüe in 1981. The new band was looking for a lead singer. They were very impressed when they saw Vince Neil perform. Their drummer, Tommy Lee, knew Vince Neil from high school. Tommy Lee thought Vince Neil's style would be a great fit for the band.

Vince Neil's first recording with Mötley Crüe was their 1981 album, Too Fast for Love. Their next album, Shout at the Devil (1983), made Mötley Crüe famous around the world. They released many hit albums throughout the 1980s. These included Theatre of Pain, Girls, Girls, Girls, and their number one album, Dr. Feelgood. These albums made Mötley Crüe one of the most popular rock bands in the world.

Solo Music Journey

After Mötley Crüe's 1991 greatest hits album, Decade of Decadence 81–91, Vince Neil and the band decided to go separate ways.

Exposed was Vince Neil's first solo album. It was released in 1993 and quickly reached #13 on the Billboard charts. This album featured talented musicians like Steve Stevens, Dave Marshall, Robbie Crane, and Vik Foxx. Vince Neil's band then went on tour, even opening for the famous band Van Halen.

The album included his first solo song, "You're Invited (But Your Friend Can't Come)". This song had two versions. One was on the soundtrack for the movie Encino Man. A music video for this version featured a cameo from Pauly Shore. The song was re-recorded for the album with Billy Idol's guitarist, Steve Stevens. Other songs like "Can't Change Me" and "Can't Have Your Cake" also had music videos.

Carved in Stone Album

In September 1995, Vince Neil released his second solo album, Carved in Stone. This album had a more industrial sound. It reached #139 on the Billboard 200 chart. The song "Skylar's Song" was dedicated to his daughter and had a music video. Another song, "The Crawl", was released as a promotional single.

Vince Neil toured with his solo band, which included Slaughter members Jeff Blando and Dana Strum, along with drummer Zoltan Chaney.

Mötley Crüe Reunion

Neil with Mötley Crüe in 2007

Mötley Crüe became popular again after their Behind the Music episode aired on VH1 in December 1998. It was the most-watched episode in the series.

By 1997, Vince Neil's solo career and Mötley Crüe's popularity were not as high. So, the four original members reunited that year. They released Generation Swine, which debuted at #4 on the Billboard charts. Later, Tommy Lee left the band. The other members replaced him with Randy Castillo and recorded New Tattoo in 2000. The band took a break when Randy Castillo sadly passed away in 2002.

Mötley Crüe's popularity grew again when Vince Neil and Tommy Lee decided to work together. They toured to support the 2005 album Red, White & Crüe. This tour, called Carnival of Sins, featured acrobats, fire breathers, and a midget. This helped create a fun, circus-like show.

In 2008, Mötley Crüe released the album Saints of Los Angeles, with all the original members.

Music in the 2010s

Vince Neil released his third solo album, Tattoos & Tequila, in 2010. This was his first solo release since Live at the Whisky: One Night Only in 2003. The album was like a soundtrack to a book Vince Neil released in the same year, called Tattoos & Tequila: To Hell and Back with One of Rock's Most Notorious Frontmen. Each song on the album matched a chapter in the book. The album's main song, "Tattoos and Tequila", was released as a single and had a music video.

In 2012, Vince Neil sang a cover of the Japanese rock band L'Arc~en~Ciel's song "Blurry Eyes" for their tribute album.

After Mötley Crüe's 2014 and 2015 final world tour, Vince Neil confirmed in September 2018 that the band had reunited. They also planned to release new music.

In November 2016, Vince Neil shared that he was asked to play with his band at the inauguration of Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., on January 20, 2017.

Other Ventures

Vince Neil in 2005

Business Activities

Vince Neil has been involved in many different businesses. In 1998, Mötley Crüe opened a store in Los Angeles called S'Crüe. It sold clothes from the band members' clothing lines, CDs, and other items. The store closed in 1999, and they moved sales online.

In 2006, Vince Neil opened a tattoo parlor called Vince Neil Ink on the Las Vegas Strip. He also started Vince Vineyards, a wine company that produced different wines. He also created the "Off the Strip Poker Tournament" in Las Vegas in 2005.

In 2007, Vince Neil launched his own brand of tequila called Tres Rios. He introduced the tequila at a food and wine festival. He also opened Dr. Feelgood's Bar and Grill in West Palm Beach in 2008. He later opened more Feelgood's locations in Miami Beach and Las Vegas.

In 2012, Vince Neil opened a club in Las Vegas called Deja Vu Presents: Vince Neil's Girls Girls Girls. In 2014, Vince Neil became the CEO and chairman of RockStar Investment Group. He and his business partners bought ownership of the Arena Football League's Jacksonville Sharks. Vince Neil also owned the Las Vegas Outlaws arena football team for a time.

Television and Film Appearances

Vince Neil has appeared in several movies and TV shows. In 1990, he had a small role in the film The Adventures of Ford Fairlane. He played Bobby Black, the lead singer of a fictional rock band. The movie showed his character making a grand entrance on stage using a zip line.

In 2002, Vince Neil was a cast member on the first season of The Surreal Life, a reality TV show. In 2004, he appeared on a special called Remaking Vince Neil, which showed him working to restart his solo music career. He also recorded a song called "Promise Me".

In 2004, Vince Neil played a tattoo artist in an episode of the CBS sitcom Still Standing. In 2010, he was a celebrity contestant on ABC's Skating with the Stars, where he skated with professional ice skater Jennifer Wester.

In 2012, Vince Neil took flight training for the PBS television series The Aviators. In 2017, he was a cast member on The New Celebrity Apprentice.

Family and Charity Work

Vince Neil has a son, Neil Jason Wharton, born in 1978. He also has two daughters. His daughter, Skylar Lynnae Neil, was born in 1991. Sadly, Skylar passed away from cancer in 1995 at the age of four.

In honor of his daughter, Vince Neil founded the Skylar Neil Memorial Fund. Since then, Vince Neil and the foundation have worked to raise awareness and money for different children's illnesses. The Skylar Neil Memorial Foundation has given millions of dollars to The T.J. Martell Foundation. It also hosts an annual golf tournament to raise money for children with cancer. In 2011, Vince Neil hosted events called Rockin' the Red Carpet to benefit Music for Relief. These events were part of his tour with Mötley Crüe, Poison, and the New York Dolls.

Discography

Solo albums

Live albums

• Live at the Whisky: One Night Only (2003)

with Mötley Crüe

• Too Fast for Love (1981)
• Shout at the Devil (1983)
• Theatre of Pain (1985)
• Girls, Girls, Girls (1987)
• Dr. Feelgood (1989)
• Generation Swine (1997)
• New Tattoo (2000)
• Saints of Los Angeles (2008)

Solo singles

Guest singles

Motorsport Career

Vince Neil also had a part-time career in motorsport. He raced in Indy Lights during the 1992 season with P.I.G. Racing. He started four races and finished three of them, earning points in all. That same year, he took part in a celebrity race at the Gold Coast Indycar event. He has also raced in the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race.

Complete Indy Lights Results

See also

In Spanish: Vince Neil para niños

• List of celebrities who own wineries and vineyards
• Dude (Looks Like a Lady)