The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star
by Nikki Sixx
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| published
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October 15th 2007
by Simon & Schuster Ltd
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| binding
| Hardcover |
| isbn
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1847371663
(isbn13: 9781847371669)
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| ebook |
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| pages
| 400 |
| date added
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09-13-07
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This was an incredibly, surprisingly, astoundingly good book.
The Heroin Diaries has not only introduced me to the actuality of Nikki Sixx, of whom I had been completely unaware of prior to the existence of this book (I was never a Mötley Crüe fan), it’s also started a new and deep interest in 80s metal bands and has entirely broadened my concept of depression. It’s, it’s, it’s…. I must own this book.
I had found out about it through the radio, actually. Sixx put out a soundt...more
This was an incredibly, surprisingly, astoundingly good book.
The Heroin Diaries has not only introduced me to the actuality of Nikki Sixx, of whom I had been completely unaware of prior to the existence of this book (I was never a Mötley Crüe fan), it’s also started a new and deep interest in 80s metal bands and has entirely broadened my concept of depression. It’s, it’s, it’s…. I must own this book.
I had found out about it through the radio, actually. Sixx put out a soundtrack companion album to the book shortly before the book was published, and the first single started getting some play time. I really liked the song, and I only had to catch it a couple of times before making the effort to google it and see if I liked the other songs on the CD. I found that Sixx had written a book. This was even better. (The CD was very good, too. I also must own this CD.)
The Heroin Diaries encapsulates a single year in Sixx’s life, specifically the year he reached rock bottom with his heroin use, as taken from his apparently extensive diary collection. It runs from entries dated Christmas Day, 1986, through Christmas Day, 1987; and covers events on touring, near death experiences, family and relationship drama, and several efforts to get clean; and also his interests in music and books. It basically amounts to a retrospective of what Sixx considers his most pivotal year.
I was entirely unprepared to see the amount of effort that went into creating this memoir. Not only do Sixx's diaries appear in print, but also corresponding perspectives from Sixx's friends and family. Sixx (or more likely, Gittins) took the effort to contact people he knew during that time period, show them the diaries, and ask if they would write their memories of the events on paper. The book was also packed with artwork and graphic designs on nearly every page, from photographs from that year, to sketches and artwork, to contrasting font colors and backgrounds.
This was, however, a very intense read; many times I had to stop reading after only a few entries and let the book rest for an hour or a night before starting it up again. My normal reading experience with just about any genre of literature is that I tend to devour a book in one sitting, or at least within a matter of hours. This one took me days. Halfway through it, I got the itch to start writing notes on the margins, which I couldn’t possibly do because the copy I was reading was a library book, and I probably wouldn’t anyway, for fear of obscuring the graphics. I made due with sticky notes flagging the particular pages that caught my eye. I had to go back to the beginning and speed read the first half again to make sure I found all of those particular pages. By the time I had finished, the right edging of the book was solid yellow. I must own this book.
I would highly recommend The Heroin Diaries to just about anyone for any reason. If you have even a passing interest in music, creativity, drug use, or depression, this is a book you should look in to.
I have no idea if Sixx is planning on publishing any other volumes of his diaries (I would certainly read them), but he has made some entries of his current volume available for public view. You can visit his online diary at his official webpage: http://www.nikkisixx.net/...less
Read in March, 2008
I have to start out saying I was never a Motley Crue fan when they were huge. To the best of my memory, they only had two songs I can truly say I liked: 'Shout at the Devil' and 'Dr. Feelgood.'
Having established that fact, I was blown away when I heard 'Life is Beautiful' on my favorite internet radio station (www.therock.fm). I immediately had to find out who this Sixx AM band was. AMG provided a wealth of information. Sixx AM is a project put together by Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue fame. The...more
I have to start out saying I was never a Motley Crue fan when they were huge. To the best of my memory, they only had two songs I can truly say I liked: 'Shout at the Devil' and 'Dr. Feelgood.'
Having established that fact, I was blown away when I heard 'Life is Beautiful' on my favorite internet radio station (www.therock.fm). I immediately had to find out who this Sixx AM band was. AMG provided a wealth of information. Sixx AM is a project put together by Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue fame. The album was released as a companion disc for his new autobiography: The Heroin Diaries.
Well, I acquired the album the next day and WOW! This was the best rock concept album since Queensryche's Operation: Mindcrime. Just to complete the experience, I snagged the book from the library. I have to say it was an intriguing read. The layout was sometimes difficult to deal with (red print on black paper is not easy on these old eyes), but the story itself was enthralling. Nikki's slide into the depths of addiction and the background information on several of rock music's more venerable gods including: Rick Neilsen's apparent antipathy toward Gene Simmons, David Coverdale being described as 'the Richard Burton of Rock and Roll,' and Vanity's insane behavior both as a coke whore and a minister make for some amusing anecdotes from the sleazy side of the spotlights.
But, back to the album. It is both a powerful concept album and a collection of hard rock gems. The intermissions when segments of the diaries are read complement the flow of the songs and enhance the story.
I read in the Allmusic review of this album that Motley Crue fans would not like it. Since I was never a fan, I thought that explained it. Then I wondered -- why, if I liked this, was I not a Motley Crue fan? So I looked through the Motley Crue discography and I found that I liked and remembered a bunch of their songs. I have to admit that Vince Neil's voice is a little on the ragged edge of my taste envelope but overall I don't have a problem with them anymore. Which is odd, because I thought I was supposed to stop liking metal when I got old.
Recommnded songs: 'Life is Beautiful', 'Van Nuys', 'Courtesy Call'
Recommended for: hard rock or metal fans in general, Motley Crue fans, Queensryche fans
sorry this turned into an album review, but they were released as companions :)
...less
bookshelves:
books-read-in-2008
Read in March, 2008
recommends it for:
Motley Crue/Nikki Sixx fans
I thought this book started off pretty badly. Maybe I just wasn't in the right frame of mind, starting the book already not liking Sixx much, though I used to be a fan of him and Motley Crue. Back when I was a teenager, he was my favourite band member, Tommy being 2nd.
Anyways, Pretty much from the very beginning it is full of Nikki Sixx whining about his childhood, how his father didn't love him enough to stick around, how is mom kept "sending him away"... whatever! I was readin...more
I thought this book started off pretty badly. Maybe I just wasn't in the right frame of mind, starting the book already not liking Sixx much, though I used to be a fan of him and Motley Crue. Back when I was a teenager, he was my favourite band member, Tommy being 2nd.
Anyways, Pretty much from the very beginning it is full of Nikki Sixx whining about his childhood, how his father didn't love him enough to stick around, how is mom kept "sending him away"... whatever! I was reading all this boo-hoo crap and thinking "blah blah blah, suck it up ya big baby!" lol I mean, come on! He was sent away to somewhere where he was LOVED and CARED FOR... Wow, poor guy!
I have a hard time believing that, while he was so messed up on all kinds of drugs and Jack Daniels he was still able to write in his diary so much. And the "Dear Diary" thing had me both laughing and shaking my head. I just can't picture him writing "Dear Diary" like a 12 year old girl!
This book is full of redundant stories of his drug use...but he does pretty much state that somewhere in the book so I guess he was aware of it. I couldn't help but feel, at times, that some parts of an entry might've been added later.
In the end, the book did a complete turn-around for me and I've finished it feeling glad about having read it, and actually liking Nikki Sixx a bit more than I did when I started the first page. I still think he's a big whiner, but if anything he said in the last chapter is true, I guess he's pretty much gotten over all that, and himself, and sounds like a decent enough guy.
I read a review somewhere where the person was saying how gutsy Sixx is for putting out such a book. I don't see it that way at all. I don't think it's "gutsy" to be honest...I just think it's right. As he admits, he was an asshole back then, but that was him "back then", and he should be able to own up to it now, 20 years later.
I've been trying to decide on my rating for this book. It's silly but I feel it's important to rate accurately. I was going to give it 2 stars because it was "ok"... but I have to be honest here... while it started off bad, and slowly got better, when the end finally came I had to say "I liked that". ...less
bookshelves:
memoir-biography
Read in October, 2007
This was really good. I was so glad when it arrived in the mail, I opened the package and I had this beautiful glossy-paged thing in my hands. This book just looks good. Then you actually get down and read it. This book shows Nikki's diary excepts from Christmas Day 1986 to the same day a year later. I'm sure the name makes it obvious that a lot of this book focuses on drugs. In fact, pretty much all of it does. It's easy to see just how meaningful this book could be to other addicts. I'm...more
This was really good. I was so glad when it arrived in the mail, I opened the package and I had this beautiful glossy-paged thing in my hands. This book just looks good. Then you actually get down and read it. This book shows Nikki's diary excepts from Christmas Day 1986 to the same day a year later. I'm sure the name makes it obvious that a lot of this book focuses on drugs. In fact, pretty much all of it does. It's easy to see just how meaningful this book could be to other addicts. I'm not an addict, and yet what I found scary was that if that had been me, I'd probably have found myself in the same position as Nikki did. Although I'd probably die long before I reached the 1987 of my life.
It's easy to forget you're reading about a rockstar in one of the world's biggest rock bands, traveling the world, meeting millions of fans etc. etc. Nikki just comes across as such a real dude. Unfortunately he doesn't reveal how he managed to juggle being a junkie and maintaining that impressive hairdo. Oh yes, and Slash is in it! He, err...used to get so drunk he'd piss the bed. Apart from the fact that GN'R toured with Motley that year, that's the main reason that he's in there. To say that Nikki's spare bedroom smelled of pee because of him. Umm...awww?
In short, you should definitely pick this book up. Especially if you love rock n' roll. Or just if you love shiny shiny books. Don't forget to get the soundtrack too!...less
bookshelves:
biography,
borrowed,
music,
non-fiction
Read in August, 2008
recommended to Lani by:
Josh
As vaguely horrified as I am to admit it, I actually preferred Tommy Lee's book. I mean, Nikki just can't compete with a book partially narrated by Tommy Lee's penis...
This WAS an interesting book though - totally different approach from Tommy's. And after having seen Nikki perform at CrueFest, it's particularly impressive to have read about what he went through.
This book is a year in the life of Nikki as he descends into the bowels of his heroin addiction, but he's hardly limited to he...more
As vaguely horrified as I am to admit it, I actually preferred Tommy Lee's book. I mean, Nikki just can't compete with a book partially narrated by Tommy Lee's penis...
This WAS an interesting book though - totally different approach from Tommy's. And after having seen Nikki perform at CrueFest, it's particularly impressive to have read about what he went through.
This book is a year in the life of Nikki as he descends into the bowels of his heroin addiction, but he's hardly limited to heroin. It's painful to read, and the layout is quite visceral at times with its startling red, black, and white swatches and anatomical drawings. The art is extremely interesting, and I'm curious if it is Nikki's. What is truely horrifying is that this is just ONE YEAR of this fight - in the afterword, Nikki explains that he continued to fall off the wagon several more times.
Some interesting stuff that I learned about Nikki - particularly the bits about his ex-girlfriend Vanity. And I really respect Nikki for being willing to let anyone who knew him at the time respond to these journal entries. Some of the responses are harsh, some are sympathetic, some are crazy. But the view from outside of Nikki's insular drug-world adds a whole other dimension to the craziness going on in Nikki's head.
However, this book really only covers this year of drug addled ramblings in Nikki's journals. It's not so much a book about the band, or even, really the man - it's a book about addiction. Not entirely what I expected....less
This book is a compilation of Nikki Sixx's diary entries from 1986/1987 along with comments by those who knew him then. Let me say, I give Nikki Sixx a lot of credit for doing this as well as those who commented in the book. This took a very strong person to look back and read these entries; acknowledge the person he was; and actively ask those who were close to him (often participants in madcap antics) during this dark time to comment on him. Very in your face (what else would a diary of a r...more
This book is a compilation of Nikki Sixx's diary entries from 1986/1987 along with comments by those who knew him then. Let me say, I give Nikki Sixx a lot of credit for doing this as well as those who commented in the book. This took a very strong person to look back and read these entries; acknowledge the person he was; and actively ask those who were close to him (often participants in madcap antics) during this dark time to comment on him. Very in your face (what else would a diary of a rock star be?)
Admittedly, this gets a bit whiney at times (again, this is the diary of someone who is in a very deep depression and is self-medicating with heroin, coke, and anything else that shows up just so he doesn't have to deal with his own emotions).
The ending, at times, borders on preachy but I have to say, he makes some good insights here. He really opens the velvet curtain and welcomes everyone into a rock star's life.
I find it interesting that Mr. Sixx elected to publish one of the most successful years of his life (career wise). Those who were Motley fans (yup, I was. I attended one of the Philadelphia concerts he mentions in the book) would remember this year and how the media portrayed Nikki and the rest of the Crue. What went on only skims the surface of complex persons. The media did what they always do, present a characterization of the famous. ...less
Read in May, 2008
At first glance, this "story" is hard to follow. The book is simply a collection of Nikki Sixx's diary entries from 1987, when Motley Crue was one of the biggest bands in the world in the midst of its Girls, Girls, Girls tour.
When you realize these entries were written while Nikki was a heroin addict, reading the randomness of his thoughts and stories becomes a guilty pleasure experiment of observation. The diary is presented exactly as it was written and you can clearly see the p...more
At first glance, this "story" is hard to follow. The book is simply a collection of Nikki Sixx's diary entries from 1987, when Motley Crue was one of the biggest bands in the world in the midst of its Girls, Girls, Girls tour.
When you realize these entries were written while Nikki was a heroin addict, reading the randomness of his thoughts and stories becomes a guilty pleasure experiment of observation. The diary is presented exactly as it was written and you can clearly see the paranoia and neediness of this former junkie.
The high points of the book are the recent commentaries written by Sixx and the people closest to him who laid witness to the excess and sadness. Written in 2006, these commentaries also allow us to see Sixx today -- a happy father of four and humanitarian who learned from his past demons.
Ultimately, The Heroin Diaries breaks down the glorified rock star image many of us put on musicians. During the height of '80s extravagance, Motley Crue defined the genre and this book offers full backstage access to the madness from a man who lived it firsthand and somehow lived to tell his tale.
For parents, these tales may bring back memories of their MTV youth. For children, they may offer insight to a lost decade of excess. For both, they also serve as a cautionary tale of the way celebrity behavior is encouraged with no repercussions...a tale sadly still prevalent today. Someone buy a copy of this book for Britney and Lindsay....less
Read in July, 2008
I was a rabid Motley Crue fan in my teenage years. I knew these guys partied hard. They were kings of excess. Until I read this book, I honestly had no idea how hard, how excessive, how completely and utterly insane this rock-n-roll lifestyle they led really was. Comparing how I saw Nikki and the band during this particular year to what was really going on according to his journal entries absolutely blows my mind and opened my eyes. I remember the Rolling Stones magazine cover he talks abou...more
I was a rabid Motley Crue fan in my teenage years. I knew these guys partied hard. They were kings of excess. Until I read this book, I honestly had no idea how hard, how excessive, how completely and utterly insane this rock-n-roll lifestyle they led really was. Comparing how I saw Nikki and the band during this particular year to what was really going on according to his journal entries absolutely blows my mind and opened my eyes. I remember the Rolling Stones magazine cover he talks about (it was hung on a wall next to my bed). I was at one of the concerts in Philadelphia that he mentions. I lived, breathed, and dreamed Nikki Sixx, hoping in my silly teenage way that I'd catch his eye at the concert, while he only wanted his next score.
I could not put this book down. It's like rubber-necking as you drive past the scene of an accident. Can't look away. It's told from his perspective at the time, but his comments in looking back from the present, along with the comments from the people in his life back then, puts a spin on his story that normally you don't see in an autobiography. It's a peek inside the life of a star that reveals a lot of ugliness which would normally be shoved back into the closet and left to fester behind closed doors. Shocking? Not really. But definitely a wild ride even on paper. ...less
Read in September, 2007
recommends it for:
anyone with interest in recovery or a Motley Crue/Nikki Sixx fan
This was an absolutely fascinating book. Obviously, I am a big fan, particularly of Nikki's songwriting from the beginning to present so I've anxiously waited for the release of this book for several years. I am also a recovering addict and this was truly compelling, touching, at times rather raw but honest, and I simply could not stop reading. I knew the basic story but didn't know the brutal details. Wow. I found myself feeling lost and alone as I read the pages of this journal, knowing j...more
This was an absolutely fascinating book. Obviously, I am a big fan, particularly of Nikki's songwriting from the beginning to present so I've anxiously waited for the release of this book for several years. I am also a recovering addict and this was truly compelling, touching, at times rather raw but honest, and I simply could not stop reading. I knew the basic story but didn't know the brutal details. Wow. I found myself feeling lost and alone as I read the pages of this journal, knowing just what he may have felt at times. It comes down to a common theme with so many that have walked this path, whether to this extreme or perhaps might be looking at a similar decline or even knowing of those who unfortunately didn't make it.........feeling alone and misunderstood. I found it quite revealing to learn that even while at the height of fame, someone could feel so incredibly alone in this world and that many of us carry wounds with us until we are ready to let them go. They get heavier and tougher to carry through the years and thank God Nikki Sixx was finally able to let go and let God take care of his so that he could begin to heal from the inside. ...less
Read in July, 2008
recommends it for:
Anyone who needs inspiration in their life.
I truly admire someone who is honest enough to confront their demons in a book for all to read. I admire a person who can pick themselves up from the rock bottom and fight for their life against addiction. Nikki Sixx shows a lot of courage in putting his "bad ass" image aside to write a book that just might help to inspire others to fight addiction. It is amazing that he is still alive, that he chose to live and not die. He didn't quit.
I was never a Motley Crue fan but after h...more
I truly admire someone who is honest enough to confront their demons in a book for all to read. I admire a person who can pick themselves up from the rock bottom and fight for their life against addiction. Nikki Sixx shows a lot of courage in putting his "bad ass" image aside to write a book that just might help to inspire others to fight addiction. It is amazing that he is still alive, that he chose to live and not die. He didn't quit.
I was never a Motley Crue fan but after hearing the song "Beautiful Life" by Sixx Am I had to read this book. I'm glad I did.
I loved what he said in his book when he said, "What I've learned in this life so far is to let the little things go as much as possible and try to swerve to miss the big things. Life is like a long ride to nowhere in particular. We're bound to get a flat tire somewhere along the journey and it's never a good time for it to happen...in fact, it's usually pouring rain or a blizzard when you feel the car jolt from the tire that just blew out underneath you and ripped away at your safety and support. But we don't have a choice really. We have to get out, fix the flat, get back in the car and head back out on the highway of life."
...less
Read in November, 2007
I only give this 2 stars for having funny little details about Vanity and GnR. This is not only a study in decadence but also a study in misogyny and white privilege. Isn't Nikki a n- - - - -? Why can't he say that word? Women = Trouble didn't you know?
I feel like ranting....apparently you get to be a self-indulgent prick if your father abandoned you and your mother left you with a grandmother/grandfather that adored you. Your life is so freaking hard....Really I don't know how you resis...more
I only give this 2 stars for having funny little details about Vanity and GnR. This is not only a study in decadence but also a study in misogyny and white privilege. Isn't Nikki a n- - - - -? Why can't he say that word? Women = Trouble didn't you know?
I feel like ranting....apparently you get to be a self-indulgent prick if your father abandoned you and your mother left you with a grandmother/grandfather that adored you. Your life is so freaking hard....Really I don't know how you resisted a needle at infancy. At anyrate, this is so white boy ART scene I could vomit....It is Dudley if he got famous. ...less
Read in January, 2008
recommends it for:
closeted heavy metal fans, uncloseted heavy metal fans, anyone considering using heroin
it's no The Dirt (best heavy metal book ever!), but I'm actually really enjoying this book -- more than I thought I would. Nikki Sixx's diary entries from 1987 are surprisingly eloquent considering all the drugs he had coursing through his system at the time, and they're followed up by anecdotes from Sixx, Tommy Lee, Vince Neil, Mick Mars, Slash, and various family members, hangers-on, and cogs in the Mötley Crüe management machine.
I love reading books about heavy metal -- the drug...more
it's no The Dirt (best heavy metal book ever!), but I'm actually really enjoying this book -- more than I thought I would. Nikki Sixx's diary entries from 1987 are surprisingly eloquent considering all the drugs he had coursing through his system at the time, and they're followed up by anecdotes from Sixx, Tommy Lee, Vince Neil, Mick Mars, Slash, and various family members, hangers-on, and cogs in the Mötley Crüe management machine.
I love reading books about heavy metal -- the drugs, the women, the excess, the leather pants! I like this one because since it's Nikki Sixx's actual diary entries from the year Girls, Girls, Girls went platinum and the Crüe toured the world with it, it comes off as urgent and real. in The Dirt, Nikki comes off as a cocky asshole most of the time (which is obviously pretty accurate), but The Heroin Diaries really made me feel for him. he seems like an intelligent person with a lot of demons and is clearly the brains of the Mötley Crüe operation.
and between this book, Slash, and The Dirt, I can safely say I will never, ever do heroin....less
Read in June, 2008
recommends it for:
Disillusioned readers of "The Dirt", Axl Rose
I'll flatly admit it: I think Mötley Crüe is the most narcissistic, pouting, self-absorbed, untalented band to ever have had a nr. 1 album. When I tried to sit down and read "The Dirt" about a year ago, I had to stop after 40 pages for fear of throwing up. Needless to say, my expectations for "The Heroin Diaries" were low.
In spite of that, or perhaps BECAUSE of that, I am happy to say that Nikki Sixx has delivered a sobering, soul-searching account of why things went t...more
I'll flatly admit it: I think Mötley Crüe is the most narcissistic, pouting, self-absorbed, untalented band to ever have had a nr. 1 album. When I tried to sit down and read "The Dirt" about a year ago, I had to stop after 40 pages for fear of throwing up. Needless to say, my expectations for "The Heroin Diaries" were low.
In spite of that, or perhaps BECAUSE of that, I am happy to say that Nikki Sixx has delivered a sobering, soul-searching account of why things went the way they did. Of course it's whiny (sure, his dad abandoned him, but how many people haven't experienced that without turning into complete assholes and blaming everyone else?), and the soul-searching at times reaches Crüesque proportions, but all in all it is an interesting and enlightening look into the mind of an addict. It doesn't hurt either that a few secrets about other rock n' roll personalities slip out either...for instance that Slash' then-girlfriend bought him diapers as a result of his habit of wetting the bed when drunk/high.
An exciting and, at times, overwhelming, look into the dark side of rock n' roll excess!...less
My husband is a big Nikki Sixx fan, and after seeing the show on E about this book, I thought that I would pick it up and give it a read.
From the point of view of someone who knew only small bits about the band and the man, while I think that it is interesting the way that it get's Nikki Sixx's story, and will then jump to the perspective of the people around him at the time, I just don't know that I believe that this is really a diary that Nikki managed to keep, in his drugged stupor of a l...more
My husband is a big Nikki Sixx fan, and after seeing the show on E about this book, I thought that I would pick it up and give it a read.
From the point of view of someone who knew only small bits about the band and the man, while I think that it is interesting the way that it get's Nikki Sixx's story, and will then jump to the perspective of the people around him at the time, I just don't know that I believe that this is really a diary that Nikki managed to keep, in his drugged stupor of a life for so many years.
What I think is that, this is a man's recollections of what happened through out the years, made into a so called diary.
That's just me though. It is a typical story, of a selfish rock star who indulges in drugs, girls, and makes everyone hate him around him, and who of course finds redemption.
My husband has read, The Dirt, Tommy Land, and Slash.....all of which I have picked up and I have to say, they are all interchangeable.
I am sure that someone that loves the band would love this book though.
...less
bookshelves:
bio-autobio
Read in November, 2007
This is a riveting read, I burned through this book within two days. I appreciate Nikki's fulfilling his vision of complete honesty when he decided to publish this... nothing is sugar coated in this sad, vicious diary of a rock star on drugs and out of control with plenty of money to fuel his habit. The debauchery recounted in the book is tempered with some pretty witty insight from Nikki (as of 2006) and by others who were willing to go on the record in the book to comment on the events as th...more
This is a riveting read, I burned through this book within two days. I appreciate Nikki's fulfilling his vision of complete honesty when he decided to publish this... nothing is sugar coated in this sad, vicious diary of a rock star on drugs and out of control with plenty of money to fuel his habit. The debauchery recounted in the book is tempered with some pretty witty insight from Nikki (as of 2006) and by others who were willing to go on the record in the book to comment on the events as they saw them. Vanity, his drug addicted girlfriend during this time, contributes some interesting thoughts due to the fact that she is now a born-again evangelist. Others that contribute include his bandmates, former manager Doc McGhee, Slash, Rick Nielsen (guitarist for Cheap Trick), and his family members. ...less
Read in June, 2008
What a ride. Although I loved Motley Crue back in the day, I was young and had no idea the life they led as rock stars. Sex, drugs, Rock and roll was the theme back then but I never knew the depths of the darkness it led Nikki too.
One of the last paragraphs that I loved
You know, it's pretty easy reading this book to see why I was angry and confused for all those years. I lived my life being told different stories: some true, some lies and I still don't know which is which. Children are born innocent. At birth we are very much like a new hard drive - no viruses, no bad information, no crap that's been downloaded into it yet. It's what we feed into that hard drive, or in my case "head drive" that starts the corruption of the files. <...more
What a ride. Although I loved Motley Crue back in the day, I was young and had no idea the life they led as rock stars. Sex, drugs, Rock and roll was the theme back then but I never knew the depths of the darkness it led Nikki too.
One of the last paragraphs that I loved
You know, it's pretty easy reading this book to see why I was angry and confused for all those years. I lived my life being told different stories: some true, some lies and I still don't know which is which. Children are born innocent. At birth we are very much like a new hard drive - no viruses, no bad information, no crap that's been downloaded into it yet. It's what we feed into that hard drive, or in my case "head drive" that starts the corruption of the files. ...less
Read in January, 2008
it's interesting and sad that in their heyday this was nikki's life. BUT...for some reason it doesn't sit with me. i don't know...i love motley and have a special place for nikki but i don't know if this book rings true. if he was the THAT messed up - how in the hell did he write in his journal pretty much daily?? how did he even know the day!? the time? i don't mean to slag - if it's his account i guess you have to take it for what it is but... it just seems a bit contrived to me. at le...more
it's interesting and sad that in their heyday this was nikki's life. BUT...for some reason it doesn't sit with me. i don't know...i love motley and have a special place for nikki but i don't know if this book rings true. if he was the THAT messed up - how in the hell did he write in his journal pretty much daily?? how did he even know the day!? the time? i don't mean to slag - if it's his account i guess you have to take it for what it is but... it just seems a bit contrived to me. at least in the way it's presented. it seems too neat if these are his stories.
the last 20 pages of this book were the best. if the whole book had been this; it would have been amazing. i hope someday he writes his full autobiography using this voice....less
Read in November, 2007
recommends it for:
Those with strong stomachs
I don't know what it is about Motley Crue, but they're absolutely fascinating to read about. Bassist/founder/main songwriter Nikki Sixx dug up these old diaries that cover almost every day of his life in 1987. When the band wasn't touring, Sixx was near death in his bedroom closet taking heroin, cocaine and other drugs nonstop. After most entries are current anecdotes by many people in Sixx's life at the time: band members and managers, girlfriends, family etc. It's amazing Sixx is still alive a...more
I don't know what it is about Motley Crue, but they're absolutely fascinating to read about. Bassist/founder/main songwriter Nikki Sixx dug up these old diaries that cover almost every day of his life in 1987. When the band wasn't touring, Sixx was near death in his bedroom closet taking heroin, cocaine and other drugs nonstop. After most entries are current anecdotes by many people in Sixx's life at the time: band members and managers, girlfriends, family etc. It's amazing Sixx is still alive after his many brushes with death. His story makes drug addiction seem that much more unappealing. The rock and roll still seems pretty damn cool though....less
Read in July, 2008
Wow. Good read if you like the whole diary concept. It is kind of like the nightmare version of 'The Real Diary of a Real Boy' that I read as a child. I guess a lot of people go through these trials but we probably wouldn't read about the homeless heroin addict on the street who has no fun, no crazy life style, no fame or fortune - only the hell that he has created. So we gravitate to the rock stars that we think we know and we read about their lives and think "Wow". Kudos to him for s...more
Wow. Good read if you like the whole diary concept. It is kind of like the nightmare version of 'The Real Diary of a Real Boy' that I read as a child. I guess a lot of people go through these trials but we probably wouldn't read about the homeless heroin addict on the street who has no fun, no crazy life style, no fame or fortune - only the hell that he has created. So we gravitate to the rock stars that we think we know and we read about their lives and think "Wow". Kudos to him for sharing the dark side - he will reach a lot more people than the average junkie and hopefully they will change as he has. If you listen to his newer material in 'Sixx A.M.' you will hear a lot of his experience coming through in the music (I love 'Life is Beautiful') It is a crazy lifestyle and interesting to read about but please....don't try this at home....less
bookshelves:
music-biographies
Read in December, 2007
I found this book somewhat less than riviting, but generally interesting. In a few places it was even moderately entertaining. In many places I found an echo of the life I watched a friend live.
The Heroin Diaries is a glimpse behind the curtain of an industry that lovingly cultivates herds of the "self-indulgent pricks" that reviewer Laura so disdains. It chronicles a year in the life of an addict swaddled in a culture that condones (if not downright encourages) addictions, and ...more
I found this book somewhat less than riviting, but generally interesting. In a few places it was even moderately entertaining. In many places I found an echo of the life I watched a friend live.
The Heroin Diaries is a glimpse behind the curtain of an industry that lovingly cultivates herds of the "self-indulgent pricks" that reviewer Laura so disdains. It chronicles a year in the life of an addict swaddled in a culture that condones (if not downright encourages) addictions, and the over-inflated ego.
Fortunately for the celebrity economy this small defect doesn't seem to slow tabloid sales or lower TV ratings. Thankfully, at least for Covenant House and Running Wild in the Night, Nikki's candor will even elevate them....less
book data (includes all editions)
avg rating
(all editions):
4.07 (496 ratings)
avg rating
(this edition): 4.04
(443 ratings)
number of reviews: 198
other editions
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The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star (Hardcover)
isbn: 0743486285
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The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star (Paperback)
isbn: 1847392067
