Recent claims about Nikki Sixx’s bass playing have resurfaced in a new interview, drawing renewed attention to old controversies.

In a discussion with Artists On Record, former manager Alan Niven recounted a memorable incident from a recording session. He detailed a phone call between Doc McGhee and record producer Bob Rock, where Rock expressed serious concerns about Sixx’s bass skills:

“Mötley are up in Vancouver, I think it is with Bob Rock recording. A frantic Bob Rock is on the phone, and Doc [McGhee] is thinking, ‘I got to get to the safe to get the bail money.’ He goes, ‘What’s up? What’s happened to who?’ Bob goes ‘We got a real problem up here with Nikki.’ Doc’s brain is beginning to spin and go ‘Oh what now? What’s up, Bob? What’s going on?’”

McGhee’s reaction to Rock’s complaint was unexpected:

“‘He can’t play bass.’ ‘What do you mean?’ ‘He just is not a good bass player; he cannot play bass.’ Doc said, ‘He doesn’t have to, does he? Get someone else to do it.’”

These revelations highlight ongoing debates regarding Nikki Sixx’s bass playing abilities and offer a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges faced during Mötley Crüe’s recording sessions.