Nikki Sixx visits Build Series to discuss Mötley Crüe’s biographical musical comedy-drama The Dirt at Build Studio on March 5, 2019 in New York City.Photo:Slaven Vlasic/Getty
Slaven Vlasic/Getty
Nikki Sixxhas come a long way in his sobriety and has a “clear vision” of what he wants for the future: to continue making a difference.
The husband and father of five, who rose to fame in the 1980s with the legendary rock bandMötley Crüe, spoke with PEOPLE on his 65th birthday.
Describing his current mindset, Sixx says he is just as focused on “ramp[ing] up the charitable side as much as the creative side,” noting that he’s “lucky to still be here.”
“And being sober probably helps with all that because you can have a clear vision and guide yourself a little bit better,” Sixx adds.
For the multi-talented artist — who celebrated 22 years of sobriety in July — that means giving back.
“I was very fortunate withThe Heroin Diariesbook to be able to raise millions of dollars for [the nonprofit] Covenant House to help bring a music program to them,” the best-selling author says, referring to his rock ‘n roll memoir. “And that’s something that’s a bigger initiative in my life as we go along.”
Sixx continues to support various charitable programs and says he is “trying to give back on all different levels,” from kids in need to people with diabilities.
“My sister was born with Down syndrome and she wasn’t supposed to live past six months,” he said of his younger sibling Lisa. “She did — she lived to be 40.”
In honor of Lisa, Sixx has publicly supported Mattel’s creation of a Barbie doll with Down syndrome.
“This is amazing. As some of you know my sister Lisa was born with Down. ♥️♥️♥️,” Sixx wrote onInstagramin April, sharing news of the doll’s release.
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He and his wife Courtney Sixx have befriended many locals in the town of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where they live much of the year, including a man with Down syndrome named Tim McLaurin.
Affectionately known as “Jackson’s Biggest Rockstar,” McLaurin is a big fan of Sixx, who has invited him to family parties and taken McLaurin on joy rides in his sports car.
In 2021, Sixx collaborated with McLaurin to release a Crüe-inspired, “Jackson’s Biggest Rockstar” t-shirt, with all proceeds going to the Global Down Syndrome Foundation.
Another local friend of the Sixx family, Bryan Kirkpatrick, says that he first met Nikki and Courtney while delivering goods to their home during COVID. “They changed my life,” he told PEOPLE, “just from being valued.”
“We always love being up in Jackson. It just really clears our head and allows us to reset,” says Sixx, who spent the weekend supporting the inaugural Jackson Hole International Film Festival (JHIFF) as a founding board member with his wife, who welcomed festival goers with her DIY Bouquet Box Floral Bar.
NIkki Sixx and Courtney Sixx at the inaugural Jackson Hole International Film Festival on Dec. 8, 2023.Taylor Glenn
Taylor Glenn
“We spend a lot of time outside. I mean, the whole point of being here is to really be outside whether you’re into skiing or fishing or hiking or being up on the lakes or snowmobiling. And it’s very social here, so it’s fantastic for us. And we always come up here and even today on my birthday, it’s like I wake up and I’m like, “I can’t think of a place I’d rather be.’ "
source: people.com
