Mötley Crüe’s absence from Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell show at Villa Park in Birmingham earlier this month left fans wondering why the legendary glam-metal group was missing from one of rock’s most historic lineups. The July 5 concert, dubbed “Back to the Beginning,” marked Ozzy’s final live performance and featured a star-studded bill including Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, and Pantera. But for longtime fans, the absence of Mötley Crüe — a band with deep ties to Ozzy’s legacy — was glaring.
Now, Nikki Sixx is opening up about why Mötley Crüe couldn’t be there. In a social media post responding to fan speculation, Sixx revealed that the band is currently dealing with ongoing health issues that prevented them from performing. Though he refrained from naming specific members or detailing their medical conditions, Sixx made it clear that health concerns were the sole reason for their absence, not drama or behind-the-scenes disputes.
“We have been having health issues within the band,” Sixx wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “I won’t go into details because it’s private, but we simply weren’t able to commit to the performance. That’s all there is to it.”
The comment was in response to swirling rumors — stoked, in part, by Ozzy’s wife and longtime manager Sharon Osbourne — that a band had been dropped from the show for allegedly trying to capitalize on Ozzy’s farewell without permission. Fans speculated whether that band was Mötley Crüe. Sixx’s statement now clears the air, reinforcing that the band wasn’t uninvited — they were simply unable to appear.
While some may be disappointed, Sixx’s explanation comes with a message that resonates more deeply than any dramatic headline could. Health, he emphasized, is the band’s top priority — a shift from the party-hard image Mötley Crüe once epitomized.
Sixx, now 66, has been increasingly vocal about his own commitment to physical and mental wellness in recent years. In a recent Instagram post, he reflected on the demands of touring and the toll it can take on musicians who, like himself, have been in the game for over four decades.
“I work HARD and I’m not interested in dying from work and BS stress,” Sixx wrote. “I’m planning on cracking 100. That will piss off the critics.”
Sixx also spoke candidly about how his health decisions are rooted in his love for his family — his wife, five children, and a granddaughter. Having survived addiction, brushes with death, and the chaotic heights of ‘80s fame, Sixx’s words reflect a man who’s not just surviving rock and roll, but choosing to outlast it with intention.
“Do you think any part of my past indulgences is worth destroying the beautiful life I built? Never.”
This isn’t the first time health concerns have interfered with Mötley Crüe’s plans. Earlier this year, frontman Vince Neil underwent a medical procedure related to his vocal cords, which forced the band to cancel multiple shows, including their appearance at the Boardwalk Rock Festival and a residency in Las Vegas. Though rescheduled for this fall, those postponements were a clear sign that the band was prioritizing recovery over performance.
Sixx was also quick to express the band’s deep gratitude and respect for Ozzy Osbourne. After all, it was Ozzy who gave Mötley Crüe their first major touring opportunity in 1984, inviting them to open for him on the “Bark at the Moon” tour. That break helped launch Mötley Crüe into rock superstardom, and Sixx hasn’t forgotten it.
“Ozzy and Sharon gave us our first real big tour break,” Sixx noted. “We love and respect them both and wish Ozzy the absolute best. Congratulations on an amazing career and what a bad-ass sendoff.”
Ozzy himself, who has battled Parkinson’s disease and undergone multiple surgeries in recent years, performed seated for his final show — a powerful reminder of the physical limits even legends must face. Mötley Crüe’s absence, seen through this lens, feels less like a missed opportunity and more like an honest acknowledgment of those same limits.
In the end, Mötley Crüe’s decision not to perform may mark a new chapter for aging rockers everywhere — one where health, sustainability, and longevity are valued as much as adrenaline and amps. With their Vegas residency rescheduled for the fall and Sixx’s optimism about the future, fans can still expect to see Mötley Crüe onstage again — just on their own terms.
Their absence from Ozzy’s farewell was not a sign of disrespect or irrelevance, but a testament to maturity in an industry that often rewards self-destruction. And that may be the most rock-and-roll move of all.
