Kickstart MY Heart!

So I was hanging out with Nikki Sixx the other night.

Finally, I get to use that line! After 15 years in the radio biz, the last 6 in Calgary, I got to meet one of the guys responsible for making music my life. "Shout At The Devil" was the second record I bought when I was 12 (Van Halen, "1984" the first). Still have the same record and got Mick Mars' autograph on it when I interviewed him in his dressing room before Crue Fest a few years ago. Now I have a Nikki Sixx signature on there after hanging out on his bus before the show last week.

He's promoting a new venture of his, radio! While on tour, he wanted to take the opportunity to meet radio programmers across the country. Being Music Director, I'm one of those guys. So, my boss and I got to bring a friend to meet Nikki. There were 5 of us and we just hung out and chatted. It was a lot more casual than the usual meet and greet scenario. There were only 5 of us and Nikki was schmoozing us!

He's a really cool guy and made everyone feel comfortable and at ease soon as we walked in. They were actually watching an episode of "Lost" on DVD. They watch a lot of DVD's on the road.

We all sat down, me across the table from Nikki. So, naturally, being the music geek and having hung out with rock stars before, started chatting away with him. We talked about what he's doing on the radio, then got into a, "where rock is at today" kind of discussion. Which included me telling him, "Motley Crue are the Rolling Stones of today". That might have been a bit of a kiss-ass, but the Crue are definitely the Aerosmith of today ha ha

We just  need a band to occupy that space. A band that kids have heard legends about and can still see live. The original band is still together and (for the most part) in pretty good shape. Although they may have mellowed since their heyday, they still bring it to the stage.

As Nikki mentioned during the show, next year will be their 30th Anniversary. Here's hoping they don't kill each other before then. And next time, hopefully I can get Vince and Tommy's signatures on my record.

Here's a pic of my friend Tiffany and I with Nikki...