Why The Heroin Diaries?

For AP Lang and Comp, I chose the book, The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star by: Nikki Sixx. The reason I chose to read this book is simply because I am a big fan of music and of the rock band, Mötley Crüe. Nikki Sixx is the song writer and bassist for the band and was pronounced dead due to a heroin overdose in 1987. When brought to the hospital,  the rock star was revived and still lives, drug free, today.

In 1987, Mötley Crüe released their very successful album, Girls Girls Girls, and followed up with an even more successful world tour. The band had reached the peak of their career and was on top of the world of Rock N Roll. While the rest of the band was living the life they dreamed of, Nikki Sixx found himself at his own rock bottom. Addicted to heroin while in a bad relationship with his girlfriend at the time, the bassist had lost the will to live and saw his life ending soon. He decided to keep a diary so his friends and family would know exactly what he was going through before he died. His diary entries begin on Christmas of '86, and end on Christmas of '87. Throughout this year of his life, he explains what he went through, what its like to be a rockstar, what its like to be a drug addict, and even some personal history.
In 2006, Nikki Sixx rediscovered his diaries and was inspired to share his life's story with his fans. With the help of Ian Gittins, the book released in 2007 and  became a New York Times Bestseller. Sixx also followed up this book with an album dedicated to the book, called Sixx: AM, which makes up of a collection of songs that describes his life during the book.

His story may not be the most inspirational, nor may he be the most inspirational person in music. However, the lyrics he writes are more poetic than a lot of other rock and roll songs I've ever heard. Like a popular movie, you don't fall in love with the actor himself, but the character he plays. Like a famous athelete, you do not love him as a person, but the game he plays on the feild. Although Nikki Sixx lived the miserable life he did, his heart speaks louder than his actions and still continues to prove himself to be an influencial musician in my eyes. To know the story that shaped the remainder of his life and career will be interesting. It won't be the easiest book to read, but perhaps a very heartfelt one, and I look forward to discover the untold life of Mötley Crüe's bassist and song writer.