“Mötley Crüe’s Vince Neil has revealed why the band had to cancel their Las Vegas residency (Picture: Ross Marino/Getty Images) Mötley Crüe frontman Vince Neil has revealed he had a stroke in his sleep late last year, from which his recovery was a long process. The American musician, 64, is best known as the heavy”, — write: metro.co.uk
Mötley Crüe’s Vince Neil has revealed why the band had to cancel their Las Vegas residency (Picture: Ross Marino/Getty Images) Mötley Crüe frontman Vince Neil has revealed he had a stroke in his sleep late last year, from which his recovery was a long process.
The American musician, 64, is best known as the heavy metal band’s lead vocalist.
He joined the group when it formed in 1981 and remained there until departing in 1992. Neil reunited with his bandmates in 1996, and they performed together until retirement.
Speaking in a new interview, the star opened up about his health battles of the past year, having been forced to cancel a reunited Mötley Crüe’s Las Vegas residency in March due to a medical procedure.
He told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that axing the gigs was necessary to allow him to ‘get better’ after his ‘whole left side went out’.
‘I had to learn to walk again, and that was tough,’ said Neil, explaining how ‘it takes a while to get your brain to start moving your legs, for them to do what your brain wants to do’.
The rocker suffered a stroke in his sleep last Christmas (Picture: Don Arnold/WireImage) Neil was in such a bad way that doctors warned him he might never perform again, but he was determined to prove their fears wrong.
‘The doctors said they didn’t think I’d be able to go back on stage again. I go, “No, no, I’m gonna do it. Watch and see”.’
Offering further insight into his rehabilitation, he explained: ‘I went from people carrying me to the bathroom, because I couldn’t walk myself, finally to a wheelchair.
‘I graduated to a walker, and then I had a cane. Now I don’t need anything. But it’s like a full-time job getting back to where you feel good again.’
Admitting that times were ‘tough’ in the immediate aftermath of his stroke, Neil is now almost back to being his best self.
He insists that he’s ‘back 90-95% to where [he] was before’.
Doctors feared the frontman would not perform again (Picture: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation) 
He’s now almost fully recovered after some intense physical therapy and a lot of running (Picture: Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images) ‘And it’s going to be great.’
Following a months-long course of physical therapy and taking it easy at his Nashville home, Neil is now ready to get back to what he loves.
Consequently, Mötley Crüe has rescheduled their Vegas residency, which had been due to run from March 28 to April 19 at Park MGM, for September and October of this year.
When previously announcing he needed to take time off, Neil downplayed the severity of his condition and said in a statement: ‘To all the Crueheads who were looking forward to seeing us this spring, I’m truly sorry.
‘My health is my top priority, so I can bring you the awesome shows you deserve, and I can’t wait to return to the stage.
‘Thank you for all the well wishes that keep reaching me. Your support means more than you know.’
Neil, pictured here in 1981, was part of one of the 80s biggest rock groups (Picture: Larry Hulst/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
When an individual suffers a stroke, they may not be able to smile, their face may have dropped to one side or their mouth or eye may have dropped.
They may not be able to lift both of their arms and keep them up, as one of their arms could be feeling weak or numb.
They may exhibit slurred or unclear speech, or be unable to talk at all and have difficulty understanding if someone else is speaking to them.
People are urged to call 999 if any of these symptoms are spotted.
The charity Stroke Association offers a helpline for anyone who has suffered or been affected by stroke, or if you want further information. You can call the helpline on 0303 3033 100 or email helpline@stroke.org.uk.
Mötley Crüe was one of the most iconic bands of the 80s. Bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee formed the group, with Neil then joining with guitarist Mick Mars.
Over the years, the lineup has seen many changes, with Sixx being the only constant member.
They have several platinum records under their belt and became famous for their hedonistic off-stage antics, as well as their wild live performances.
Neil has also released three albums as a solo artist, the most recent being Tattoos & Tequila in 2010.
His personal life hit the news earlier this year when his private jet crashed. While Neil was not on board at the time, his girlfriend, Rain Andreani, was.
She did not suffer life-threatening injuries, but tragically, others were seriously hurt, and 78-year-old pilot Joie Vitosky died.
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