They’ve just wrapped up a successful UK tour with Def Leppard on the heels of their own blockbuster summer arena tour and are set to become the first hard rock band to perform a residency in Las Vegas. But is it curtains thereafter for Mötley Crüe?
Maybe… or at least the Crüe as we know it. In a new interview with the Las Vegas Sun, singer Vince Neil has suggested that he might leave the band when they finish up their residency at the Hard Rock Hotel this February.
“It’s not definite, but I am thinking seriously about it,” Neil is quoted as saying. “This is all about me thinking about the second half of my life, thinking about my future, and that future might not include Mötley Crüe after Vegas. There are so many opportunities that are in front of me that I’m really excited about. I just don’t want to look back later in life and regret that I didn’t pursue them.
“I’m just not sure I can give these opportunities the time and effort I’ll need to and continue with the band. It’s been a great ride, and I’ve enjoyed every second of it, but being out here relaxing in this beautiful place has given me the chance to reflect on what direction I want the rest of my life to take. I’m really giving it a lot of thought.”
As the Sun notes, the arrival of several milestones in 2011 might have got Neil’s brain spinning: he turned 50 this year as the band celebrated its 30th anniversary, amazingly on the heels of its most successful touring year ever.
Neil left Mötley Crüe previously in the early 90s before returning in 1997.
It’s frankly hard to imagine the band carrying on without him, though it’s s safe to assume the other guys have plenty of their own irons in the fire, notably bassist Nikki Sixx as a photographer and writer. Mick Mars meanwhile, has been in so-so health for years owing to chronic inflammatory arthritis.
Actually, a split on a high note might be ideal. We’ll be watching…
