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 singer. He is best known as the lead singer for the heavy metal band Mötley Crüe. He was with the band from its start in 1981 until 1992.

Neil rejoined Mötley Crüe in 1996 and stayed with them until their break in 2015. He then rejoined them again for their reunion in 2018. Besides Mötley Crüe, Vince Neil has also released three solo albums. His most recent solo album, Tattoos & Tequila, came out in 2010.

Vince Neil's unique singing voice and his look are very well-known. Many people connect him with the glam metal music style of the 1980s.

Early Life and Interests

Vince Neil was born in Hollywood, California. His mother had Mexican family roots, and his father had Native American family roots. When he was young, his family moved around Southern California. They finally settled in Glendora.

He went to Sunflower Intermediate School and later Royal Oak High School. His biggest musical inspiration was the band Van Halen. He also liked bands like AC/DC, Aerosmith, and Journey. Besides music, Vince Neil enjoyed sports like surfing, basketball, and football when he was a teenager.

Music Career

Neil at the 1990 Grammy Awards

Joining Mötley Crüe

Vince Neil was singing with his band Rock Candy when he was discovered. In 1981, he joined Mötley Crüe. The band needed a lead singer. Drummer Tommy Lee knew Neil from high school and thought his style would be a great fit.

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

Time Away from the Band

After Mötley Crüe released their greatest hits album Decade of Decadence 81–91 in 1991, Neil and the band decided to go separate ways. The band members felt that Neil's focus was shifting. They stated that "Race car driving has become a priority in Neil's life." They felt he did not share their strong passion for music at that time.

Starting a Solo Career

Vince Neil released his first solo album, Exposed, in 1993. It was very popular, reaching #13 on the Billboard charts. The album featured famous musicians like Steve Stevens.

His first solo song, "You're Invited (But Your Friend Can't Come)", was part of the movie Encino Man. Another song, "Can't Have Your Cake", had a music video featuring actress Pamela Anderson.

In 1995, Neil released his second solo album, Carved in Stone. This album had a different, more industrial sound. A song called "Skylar's Song" was dedicated to his daughter. The album sold fewer copies, and his contract with Warner Bros. Records ended.

Neil toured with his solo band, which included members from the band Slaughter.

Reunion with Mötley Crüe

Neil with Mötley Crüe in 2007

Mötley Crüe became popular again after their story was shown on the TV show Behind the Music in 1998. By 1997, both Neil's solo career and Mötley Crüe's popularity were not as high. So, the four original members decided to reunite that year.

They released the album Generation Swine, which reached #4 on the Billboard charts. Later, Tommy Lee left the band for a while. The other members replaced him with Randy Castillo and recorded New Tattoo in 2000. The band took a break when Castillo sadly passed away from cancer in 2002.

Mötley Crüe's popularity grew again when Neil and Lee decided to work together for a tour in 2005. This tour, called Carnival of Sins, was very exciting. It included acrobats and fire breathers, creating 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

Neil released his third solo album, Tattoos & Tequila, in 2010. This album was also a soundtrack to a book he released with the same name. Each song on the album matched a chapter in the book. The title song, "Tattoos & Tequila", was released as a single.

In 2012, 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 final world tour in 2014 and 2015, Neil confirmed in September 2018 that the band had reunited. They planned to release new music.

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

Other Activities

Business Ventures

Neil in 2005

In 1998, Mötley Crüe opened a store in Los Angeles called S'Crüe. It sold clothes from the band members' own clothing lines, CDs, and other items. The store later moved to selling items online.

In 2006, Neil opened a tattoo shop called Vince Neil Ink on the Las Vegas Strip.

Vince Neil also started Vince Vineyards, a company that makes wine. He has produced different types of wine, including a Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. He also has his own brand of tequila called Tres Rios, which he launched in 2007.

Neil opened a restaurant and bar called Dr. Feelgood's Bar and Grill in West Palm Beach. He later opened more locations, including one in Miami Beach and Las Vegas.

In April 2014, Vince Neil became the chief executive officer and chairman of RockStar Investment Group. With his business partners, he took ownership of the Arena Football League's Jacksonville Sharks team. Neil also owned the Las Vegas Outlaws arena football team for a period.

Television and Film Appearances

In 1990, Neil had a small role in the movie The Adventures of Ford Fairlane. He played Bobby Black, the lead singer of a fictional rock band. In the film, his character made a big entrance by using a zip line onto the stage.

In 2002, Neil was a cast member on the first season of the reality TV show The Surreal Life. In 2004, he appeared on a special called Remaking Vince Neil, which showed him working on his solo music career.

Neil also played a tattoo artist in an episode of the TV show Still Standing in 2004.

In 2010, he was a celebrity contestant on ABC's Skating with the Stars. He skated with professional ice skater Jennifer Wester.

In 2017, Neil was a cast member on The New Celebrity Apprentice, a reality competition show.

Personal Life

Family

Vince Neil has a son, Neil Jason Wharton, born in 1978.

He married his first wife, Beth Lynn, in 1981. They had a daughter, Elizabeth Ashley Wharton, born in 1983. They divorced in 1985.

In 1987, Neil married Sharise Ruddell. They had a daughter named Skylar Lynnae Neil, born in 1991. They divorced in 1993.

In 2000, Neil married actress and model Heidi Mark. They divorced in 2001.

Neil married his fourth wife, Lia Gerardini, in January 2005. The ceremony was led by MC Hammer. In 2010, Neil announced their separation.

Charity Work

On August 15, 1995, Vince Neil's daughter, Skylar Neil, passed away from cancer at the age of four. In her memory, he started the Skylar Neil Memorial Fund. This fund helps raise awareness and money for children's illnesses.

The Skylar Neil Memorial Foundation has given a lot of money to The T.J. Martell Foundation. It also holds an annual golf tournament to raise funds for children with cancer. In 2011, Neil hosted events called Rockin' the Red Carpet to support Music for Relief.

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)
• ... (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 car racing. He competed in Indy Lights races during the 1992 season. He finished three of his four races and earned points in all of them. That same year, he took part in a celebrity race at the Gold Coast Indycar event. He has also participated 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)