Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Heavy metal rock icon and two-time bestselling author Nikki Sixx tells his origin story: how Frank Carlton Feranna became Nikki Sixx, chronicling his fascinating journey from a difficult and transient upbringing through to the triumphant and revolutionary formation of M tley Cr e.Nikki Sixx is unquestionably one of the most respected, recognizable, and entrepreneurial icons in heavy metal. As the founder of M tley Cr e, he exudes a punk-rock, Harley-Davidson-riding energy on stage, but is also incredibly passionate about his craft and wonderfully open about his life and death (during his heroin days, he flatlined at least once after overdosing on heroin) as a rock icon.
Born Frank Carlton Serafino Ferrana on December 11, 1958, in San Jose, CA, Ferrana was abandoned by his father at an early age and raised by his mother, who was a singer in Frank Sinatra's band at one point, and dated Richard Pryor at another. When his mother was on the road, Ferrana spent time living with relatives, and moving around quite a lot. By his teens, Ferrana became fed up with his troubled home life and resorted to crime, at times living on the streets and selling drugs to get by. His first instrument was a stolen guitar, which was later exchanged for bass guitar, as he joined a series of bands. While living in Idaho with his grandparents, Ferrana decided that if he was ever going to make it as a rocker, he would have to move to Los Angeles.
Supporting himself by working numerous dead-end jobs (a carpet cleaning salesman, a liquor store clerk, etc.) and playing in a series of bands, including such forgotten local outfits as Sister and London, Ferrana decided to change his name to Nikki Sixx. Sixx began focusing on sharpening his songwriting skills, as he wanted to put together the ultimate theatrical band for the '80s -- a throwback to early-'70s glam, but with a more metallic edge. By 1981, Sixx found the right guys: guitarist Mick Mars, drummer Tommy Lee, and singer Vince Neil, forming M tley Cr e and taking the Sunset Strip by storm.
Synopsis
A book about the story of Lou's life, as told by Lou himself.
Synopsis
Rock-and-roll icon and three-time bestselling author Nikki Sixx tells his origin story: how Frank Feranna became Nikki Sixx, chronicling his fascinating journey from irrepressible Idaho farmboy to the man who formed the revolutionary rock group M tley Cr e. Nikki Sixx is one of the most respected, recognizable, and entrepreneurial icons in the music industry. As the founder of M tley Cr e who is now in his twenty-first year of sobriety, Sixx is incredibly passionate about his craft and wonderfully open about his life in rock and roll, and as a person of the world. Born Franklin Carlton Feranna on December 11, 1958, young Frankie was abandoned by his father and partly raised by his mother, a woman who was ahead of her time in some ways and deeply troubled in others. Frankie ended up living with his grandparents, bouncing from farm to farm and state to state. He was an all-American kid--hunting, fishing, chasing girls, and playing football--but underneath it all, there was a burning desire for more, and that more was music. He eventually took a Greyhound bound for Hollywood.
In Los Angeles, Frank lived with his aunt and his uncle--the president of Capitol Records. But there was no short path to the top. He was soon on his own. There were dead-end jobs: dipping circuit boards, clerking at liquor and record stores, selling used light bulbs, and hustling to survive. But at night, Frank honed his craft, joining Sister, a band formed by fellow hard-rock veteran Blackie Lawless, and formed a group of his own: London, the precursor of M tley Cr e. Turning down an offer to join Randy Rhoads' band, Frank changed his name to Nikki London, Nikki Nine, and, finally, Nikki Sixx. Like Huck Finn with a stolen guitar, he had a vision: a group that combined punk, glam, and hard rock into the biggest, most theatrical and irresistible package the world had ever seen. With hard work, passion, and some luck, the vision manifested in reality--and this is a profound true story finding identity, of how Frank Feranna became Nikki Sixx. And it's a road map to the ways you can overcome anything, and achieve all of your goals, if only you put your mind to it.
Synopsis
Rock-and-roll icon and three-time bestselling author Nikki Sixx tells his inspirational origin story: how Frank Feranna persevered to become Nikki Sixx, chronicling his fascinating motivational journey from irrepressible Idaho farmboy to the man who formed the revolutionary rock group M tley Cr e. Nikki Sixx is one of the most respected, recognizable, and entrepreneurial icons in the music industry. As the founder of M tley Cr e who is now in his twenty-first year of sobriety, Sixx is incredibly passionate about his craft and wonderfully open about his life in rock and roll, and as a person of the world. Born Franklin Carlton Feranna on December 11, 1958, young Frankie was abandoned by his father and partly raised by his mother, a woman who was ahead of her time in some ways and deeply troubled in others. Frankie ended up living with his grandparents, bouncing from farm to farm and state to state. He was an all-American kid--hunting, fishing, chasing girls, and playing football--but underneath it all, there was a burning desire for more, and that more was music. He eventually took a Greyhound bound for Hollywood.
In Los Angeles, Frank lived with his aunt and his uncle--the president of Capitol Records. But there was no short path to the top. He was soon on his own. There were dead-end jobs: dipping circuit boards, clerking at liquor and record stores, selling used light bulbs, and hustling to survive. But at night, Frank honed his craft, joining Sister, a band formed by fellow hard-rock veteran Blackie Lawless, and formed a group of his own: London, the precursor of M tley Cr e. Turning down an offer to join Randy Rhoads' band, Frank changed his name to Nikki London, Nikki Nine, and, finally, Nikki Sixx. Like Huck Finn with a stolen guitar, he had a vision: a group that combined punk, glam, and hard rock into the biggest, most theatrical and irresistible package the world had ever seen. With hard work, passion, and some luck, the vision manifested in reality--and this is a profound true story finding identity, of how Frank Feranna became Nikki Sixx. And it's a road map to the ways you can overcome anything, and achieve all of your goals, if only you put your mind to it.
Synopsis
Heavy metal rock icon and two-time bestselling author Nikki Sixx tells his origin story chronicling his journey from a difficult and transient upbringing to the triumphant and revolutionary formation of M tley Cr e. Nikki Sixx is one of the most respected, recognizable, and entrepreneurial icons in the music industry. As the founder of M tley Cr e who is now in his twenty-first year of sobriety, Sixx is incredibly passionate about his craft and wonderfully open about his life in rock and roll, and as a person of the world. Born Franklin Carlton Feranna on December 11, 1958, young Frankie was abandoned by his father and partly raised by his mother, a woman who was ahead of her time but deeply troubled. Frankie ended up living with his grandparents, bouncing from farm to farm and state to state. He was an all-American kid--hunting, fishing, chasing girls, and playing football--but underneath it all, there was a burning desire for more, and that more was music. He eventually took a Greyhound bound for Hollywood.
In Los Angeles, Frank lived with his aunt and his uncle--the president of Capitol Records. But there was no short path to the top. He was soon on his own. There were dead-end jobs: dipping circuit boards, clerking at liquor and record stores, selling used light bulbs, and hustling to survive. But at night, Frank honed his craft, joining Sister, a band formed by fellow hard-rock veteran Blackie Lawless, and formed a group of his own: London, the precursor of M tley Cr e. Turning down an offer to join Randy Rhoads' band, Frank changed his name to Nikki London, Nikki Nine, and, finally, Nikki Sixx. Like Huck Finn with a stolen guitar, he had a vision: a group that combined punk, glam, and hard rock into the biggest, most theatrical and irresistible package the world had ever seen. With hard work, passion, and some luck, the vision manifested in reality--and this is a profound true story finding identity, of how Frank Feranna became Nikki Sixx. And it's a road map to the ways you can overcome anything, and achieve all of your goals, if only you put your mind to it.