Nikki Sixx: I’ve Played Bass on Every Mötley Crüe Album Despite Rumors

Nikki Sixx says he played bass on every Mötley Crüe album, responding to renewed questions about whether he performed on the band’s 1985 record *Theatre of Pain*. The claim matters because conflicting accounts from former band members have fuelled doubts about his role as the group’s bassist.

The rumour traces to original guitarist Greg Leon, who said he saw a session bassist working during the album’s recording. In a since-deleted post, Sixx also addressed former guitarist Mick Mars’s claims in a lawsuit, saying he played on all the albums and wrote much of the band’s music; Mars’s lawsuit was ultimately lost. Mötley Crüe are preparing for a Las Vegas residency scheduled to begin in March 2027.