The Adventures of Michael & Nikki Before
Motley Crue
I
met Nikki Sixx in 1979 through a mutual friend that suggested
that we might team up and write some songs together. I was game
to try it, so we met and talked about it. After a few sessions
he asked me to join his band, London, which I wasn't too keen
on. You see, I already had a fairly successful career going for
myself playing with "The White" to sold-out clubs all
over Southern California. I also owned a rehearsal studio that
made me a decent living. So I had plans of my own that were already
in gear when he came along. This is what happened next.
He was very convincing with his vision of what he wanted the
band to be. And basically, he sold me on it. I bought into it
and decided to play with "London"...while keeping "The
White" as well. The bands were so very different style-wise
they didn't interfere with one another. "The White"
sounded like Led Zeppelin and "London" sounded like
an evil version of "The Sweet". The thing is that I
enjoyed singing both styles. But to Nikki being in a band was
like a marriage and he thought I was cheating on "London"
by playing with "The White". I might have listened to
what he had to say about it, except for the fact that he was never
sober. I mean, other than the first few times we had met (when
he was very business like) he was constantly drinking, drunk and/or
high. At some point I started not to listen to his drunken ramblings.
We had booked a weekend (Fri & Sat) in early 1980 to play
at The Starwood in Hollywood and in preparation for it I layed
out $800 cash on things we needed for the performance. Light bulbs
for our light show, various equipment rental, a U-haul truck to
carry everything & gas to get there & back. I fronted
the band the money under the condition that I would be reimbursed
from the $2000 we were to be paid for the performances. Well,
we played the shows and after the final show on Saturday night
Nikki left immediately without saying goodbye. I went to get paid
from the club manager David Forrest and he informed me that Nikki
had already been paid the $2000 fee in full two weeks prior to
the shows.
I was livid. But since Nikki lived in the San Fernando Valley
and I lived in Long Beach (about an hour away) I decided to go
home to get some sleep and cool down before driving out to his
house. The following morning I woke up and phoned him but there
was no answer. I decided to chance it and drive out to his place.
What a pissy dump of a duplex it was. Actually, it reminds me
of the house they describe in the book 'The Dirt'. In fact, I
think it was that place. And in a minute you'll know why they
describe the front door the way they do.
Anyway, when I got to his front door
I heard some noise inside so I knocked. It got quiet. So knocked
harder. I started knocking harder still until finally the peep
hole on the door jarred open by fluke. I looked thru the peep
hole and there was Nikki standing in the middle of the room half
naked...and stumbling drunk. He saw me looking in at him and he
was at once startled. He immediately froze, then fell to the floor
hiding behind a big trashy couch. I began asking him to open the
door, citing that I already saw him and he wasn't fooling me.
But he just stayed down there hiding. I don't know what he thought
might happen if he stood up and faced me...except maybe a can
of whup-ass might have been opened up on him...which was probably
accurate at the time. I kept pounding the door when finally the
old lock gave way and it swung open. At which point Nikki's head
poked up from behind the sofa. I asked him, "Do you have
my $800? He answered no. I asked him if he had any idea when he
would have my money? He answered no. He looked like a deer caught
in headlights.
I looked inside to the right of the door, and to my surprise
there leaning on the wall within reach was his bass case and Ampeg
SVT amp head. I leaned in and grabbed the bass and said to him,
"Until you get my money I think I'll hold on to your bass
as colladeral". I started walking towards my van which was
only about 20 feet away. He came to the door and stood there in
the doorway like he was affraid to exit his house and chase after
me. He managed to scream, "I'm going to call the cops on
you!". Not the response I had anticipated, but then I don't
know what I was expecting from him. I guess I had hoped that he
may have been bluffing and actually had the money in the house
and would have come forward with it to pay me. But no. So I left.
As I was driving home I started thinking about what he said and
if he maybe did call the cops...or if by now he had thought about
it and wanted to give me my money. So I got off the highway and
I called him. To my surprise a detective answered the phone and
started telling me I was in big trouble, etc. I couldn't believe
that Nikki actually called the cops...but he did. Our drummer,
Dane Rage, who lived only blocks away was now there at Nikkis
house. He got on the phone and kinda negotiated the situation
out. He agreed to satisfy Nikki and the cops by coming to my place
the next day and retrieving the bass since I didn't want to go
back there and chance getting arrested.
So the next day when he arrived at my door I gave him back
the bass and told him I quit the band. That was the last time
I saw Dane (he was a real nice guy with a good heart...I hope
he is doing well). I have seen Nikki several times since that
day. I guess a lot of water has passed under the bridge since
then and by-gones be by-gones and all that. It was at the Robert
Plant after show party in 1983 in Hollywood when I last asked
him about the money. "I'm broke man", he told me at
the time, "but as soon as I get on my feet and get some cash
together I'll give it to you." I'm still waiting for him
to get on his feet. In the mean time...I hope he bought a new
couch.
Coming soon, part two: "Nikki! Nikki! Nikki!"
Nikki Sixx, Jonathan Hayward and Michael White backstage
at the Robert Plant concert at the LA Forum in 1983.
Nikki Sixx, Sally Hayward and Michael White backstage
at the Robert Plant concert at the LA Forum in 1983.
1980 - In Concert - LONDON (with Nikki Sixx)
This is rare video footage of the band 'LONDON' live at the Starwood in Hollywood on October 25, 1980. The actual master tape is over an hour long. The band members were Michael White (vox, harmonica, piano & sax), Nikki Sixx (bass), Lizzy Gray (guitar) & Dane Rage (drums). We were rockin' the place that night. Unfortunetly, it would be the last time we would play together (click for details).
This video footage is for viewing on this website only. No reproduction, broadcast, licensing or sale of this footage is allowed without the owners permission... and that would be me...
I
met Nikki Sixx in 1979 through a mutual friend that suggested
that we might team up and write some songs together. I was game
to try it, so we met and talked about it. After a few sessions
he asked me to join his band, London, which I wasn't too keen
on. You see, I already had a fairly successful career going for
myself playing with "The White" to sold-out clubs all
over Southern California. I also owned a rehearsal studio that
made me a decent living. So I had plans of my own that were already
in gear when he came along. This is what happened next.
Anyway, when I got to his front door
I heard some noise inside so I knocked. It got quiet. So knocked
harder. I started knocking harder still until finally the peep
hole on the door jarred open by fluke. I looked thru the peep
hole and there was Nikki standing in the middle of the room half
naked...and stumbling drunk. He saw me looking in at him and he
was at once startled. He immediately froze, then fell to the floor
hiding behind a big trashy couch. I began asking him to open the
door, citing that I already saw him and he wasn't fooling me.
But he just stayed down there hiding. I don't know what he thought
might happen if he stood up and faced me...except maybe a can
of whup-ass might have been opened up on him...which was probably
accurate at the time. I kept pounding the door when finally the
old lock gave way and it swung open. At which point Nikki's head
poked up from behind the sofa. I asked him, "Do you have
my $800? He answered no. I asked him if he had any idea when he
would have my money? He answered no. He looked like a deer caught
in headlights.
