Breaking: Nikki Sixx Explains Why Mötley Crüe Didn’t Attend Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath’s Farewell Show
Mötley Crüe’s absence from Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath’s monumental farewell concert, “Back to the Beginning,” earlier this July has prompted widespread speculation. Nikki Sixx, the band’s bassist and primary songwriter, has now clarified the reasons, pointing to health issues within the band as the main cause.
The farewell show, held at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, was a historic event that brought together several heavy metal icons, including Metallica, Slayer, Guns N’ Roses, and others. Ozzy Osbourne, along with the original Black Sabbath members, reunited on stage to mark the end of an era for both the band and their devoted fans worldwide. Given the long-standing connection and gratitude that Mötley Crüe holds toward Ozzy and his wife Sharon Osbourne—who gave them their first major touring break in 1984—it was a notable absence when the Crüe did not perform or even appear at the event.
Responding to fan curiosity on the social platform X (formerly Twitter), Sixx succinctly stated, “We have been having health issues within the band,” without divulging exact details about which member(s) were affected[1][3][5]. However, context clues suggest that lead vocalist Vince Neil’s recent vocal health challenges played a significant role. Earlier this year, Mötley Crüe postponed their highly anticipated Las Vegas residency due to Neil undergoing a required medical procedure. This procedure necessitated a pause in their tour schedule, pushing back the residency’s start date to September 12, 2025.
Sixx has been open about prioritizing his own health, emphasizing his approach to avoiding excessive stress and workload that could jeopardize his wellbeing. At 66 years old, the rocker shared a candid reflection on his physical condition and life priorities, saying he’s “not interested in dying from work and BS STRESS.” He humorously mentioned that he’s aiming to live to 100, a testament to his commitment to self-care and longevity over relentless touring or performing.
Despite their absence from the farewell concert, Sixx publicly congratulated Ozzy Osbourne on an “amazing career” and described the show as a “bad-ass send off.” He expressed deep gratitude for the Osbournes’ instrumental role in launching Mötley Crüe’s career, referencing the 1984 “Shout at the Devil” tour as a pivotal moment that “broke the band” in a positive sense by exposing them to wider audiences.
Speculation in fandom circles briefly swirled around the idea that Mötley Crüe might have been disinvited from the lineup. Sharon Osbourne had hinted before the event that a band was removed from the roster for trying to profit from what was intended as a charity concert raising funds for causes including Parkinson’s Birmingham Children Hospital and the Acorn Children’s Hospice. However, Sixx’s health-related statement casts doubt on those rumors, strongly suggesting that the Crüe’s absence was primarily due to genuine health concerns rather than backstage controversies.
Mötley Crüe continues to prepare for their upcoming Las Vegas residency, scheduled to launch at the Dolby Live venue in Park MGM from September through early October 2025. They have also kept their fans engaged by recently releasing a new version of their classic hit “Home Sweet Home” featuring Dolly Parton.
In sum, Nikki Sixx has made it clear that health issues within Mötley Crüe prevented their participation in Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell show, underscoring the challenges even legendary rockers face as they balance the demands of their careers with the realities of aging and wellness. The farewell event itself remains a landmark moment in rock history, staining the legacy of Black Sabbath and their peers, while Mötley Crüe’s story is set to continue, with focus equally on longevity and delivering quality performances in the future.
