The Heroin Diaries - Nikki Sixx

Nikki Sixx – The Heroin Diaries - A Year In The Life Of A Shattered Rock Star

I bought this book at JFK airport and for once wished that the flight to London was longer. Having read and fully enjoyed Motley Crue’s now infamous ‘The Dirt’, I had no doubts that their ringleader could deliver another classic, even if most of it was penned in 1987 in a drug-induced stupor.

I was right and ironically this is as addictive as a book can be. Based around the daily diary entries of Sixx, at a time when Motley Crue was at it’s very peak, but Sixx at a complete low – Chronic drug abuse and manic depression controlled his every move. Not the Rock Star heaven that we so naively dream of. But the very nature of a daily blog and how personally and secretly it was written, keeps you chomping for the following day’s entry(ies).

Intermingled between his diary inputs, some desperate, some hilarious, is present day commentary from not only Sixx, but a host of cohorts including the other Motley members, his ex-girlfriend turned Evangelist (a true bunny boiler), Slash, Ross Halfin, Doc McGhee, Bob Rock and many others. It really opens one’s mind up to the true desperation of his own world, whilst still relaying some fantastic Rock n’ Roll excess, lost lyrics, bed wetting (see Slash) and inter-band bitching (see Whitesnake).

It all runs very smoothly and is brilliantly put together by Sixx and co-author Ian Gittins. The artwork and overall quality of the book is first-class and worth having on any eclectic bookshelf.

I have always thought that Nikki Sixx is a true visionary of punk/glam/metal but have always known that he was an egomaniac, a control freak and an outright cad. Well he was, but it is clear that from his present-day reflections, as well as the charitable nature of the book, that he is true survivor and a better man than many.

Conclusion: Highly Addictive

See What Nikki's Got To Say About it:

http://www.flashenhanced.com/heroindiaries2/

Other Rock Biographies That I Sincerely Recommend:

Motley Crue – The Dirt

Rock n’ Roll excess and beyond. You have to wonder if all of it can possibly be true and if so, how are any of them still alive and not have over 1000 children each (or maybe they do…). So good that they are making a movie about it – let’s pray it’s better than the Def Leppard movie!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0060989157?ie=UTF8&tag=alloutguitar-2...

Ian Hunter – Diary Of A Rock N’ Roll Star

The critically acclaimed and pioneering diary from a Rock Star. Written on a five week tour of America, with his band Mott The Hoople in 1972. The innocence and sheer wonder of it all is sublime. The beginning is a bit like the opening of ‘Four Weddings and A Funeral’, the rest is sheer poetry. The beginning of the glam era and Rock Stars in general, trips to guitar shops, playing with Bowie, worrying about the cat and surreal evenings at the Zappas' – a lovely book.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0586040412?ie=UTF8&tag=alloutguitar-2...

Seb Hunter – Hell Bent For Leather - Confessions Of A Heavy Metal Addict

A beautifully written book by a wannabe Rock star from the late 80’s. He never really made it but documents his tales from discovering metal at boarding school in Wiltshire to Glam madness in London. Hunter fills his story with humorous antidotes and history lessons in Rock. Also a very personal and touching book – he should write more.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/000716176X?ie=UTF8&tag=alloutguitar-2...

Chuck Klosterman – Fargo Rock City
A Heavy Metal Odyssey In Rural North Dakota

The king of all writings about Rock and Metal. This is my favourite book of all time and makes me laugh every time I open it for a quick fix. Klosterman is quite rightly, a revered writer in the US and this book follows his discovery and passion for music – mostly Hair Metal in the 80’s. At times he is so philosophical it can hurt the brain, but his opinions are wildly thought provoking, his knowledge of pop culture is extraordinary and his humour is blinding. Read This Book!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0743231570?ie=UTF8&tag=alloutguitar-2...