Summer Reading, Nikki Sixx's The Heroin Diaries

I recently finished reading Nikki Sixx’s first best selling book, The Heroin Diaries, A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star.  He has since gone on to write a second best seller titled This is Gonna Hurt.  The Heroin Diaries is a compelling read and a look into the mind of a broken man slipping further and further away from reality.  What makes it unique is it is actually Nikki’s diary that he wrote faithfully during the year 1987 when Motley Crue were touring to support the Girls, Girls, Girls album.

In his introductory remarks Nikki states that he wanted to publish this diary and write this book to hopefully warn and curb others.  You should be in awe and wonderment after reading this book as to how Nikki Sixx is even alive, so hopefully at least some who need to will take heed.  Even though we are reading someone’s diary, to me it still tells like a story.  It is as if we are inside someone’s mind (and in away I guess we are) and you can see the drug addiction and depression escalating until it reaches its climax towards the end.

In addition to the diary entries there are many current reflections throughout the book by Nikki Sixx himself, his Motley Crue bandmates, management, family, friends (including Slash from Guns N’ Roses at the time) and other characters from Nikki’s life.  At times it is even humorous as stories of the band’s antics are shared.  These funny antidotes are unfortunately at someone else’s expense, usually hotel management and staff.  Although it is mainly about addiction and depression you will get some inside details on the inner workings of the band, their relationship with each other and management and some of Nikki’s own opinions of other notable musicians, record companies, rock journalists, etc.  At times he is very insightful.

Motley Crue were probably at the height of their popularity at the time of this story playing in front of large sold out crowds and selling millions of albums.  But this book tells the age old tale that money, fame and success does not buy happiness.  Nikki has some concluding words in the book briefly taking the reader from the end of 1987 up to present time including his band’s successes and failures and his own personal woes and triumphs.  He certainly seems to be at peace with himself and has thankfully found sobriety.  He also continues to be successful and a creative force with two best selling books now written, Motley Crue continuing to tour successfully, a successful second band (Sixx A.M.), an avid photographer, a successful clothing line and radio show host (Sixx Sense).

Two more rock and roll books for me to finish this summer, Sammy Hagar’s Red and Sixx’s second offering This is Gonna Hurt.  Back to the deck!