Buyer beware

Years ago an unauthorized biography called “An Education in Rebellion” was written about me without my approval or support.  It was never endorsed.  In fact, I disapproved and considered legal action because I felt fans were getting ripped off by being sold a book without my involvement.  I feel fans have bought it under the assumption that I approved of it because the writers have collected interviews from people that make it seem relevant – these people who were interviewed have told me afterwards that they had no idea that their conversations were being used for an unauthorized book.  I want to say that I do not, now or ever, approve of people riding the coattails of other people’s hard work and personal lives – this is criminal in my opinion.  This is no different than what the paparazzi does or the gossipy crap that perches like vultures on our newsstands with magazines like the National Enquirer.

The writer and publisher are now “re-releasing” the book with updated information based on my success with Mötley Crüe, Sixx: A.M., The Heroin Diaries and other ventures I’m involved in.  It’s scummy at best to be honest.  My attorneys have already sent them legal letters directing them to stop but they know the loop holes and how to get around them.  Believe it or not, the law allows anyone to write a book about anyone else without getting proper permission which is really crazy because my fans think this was endorsed or approved by me and it’s not.  This is sad.   These people are now partnering up with a company to sell ownership rights to the book’s master rights even though they are my life rights — again, bordering on scum.  As a fan of music I do not buy anything unauthorized because I know, unless the artist signs off on it, its hearsay, gossip, and made up to pad the pockets of the writers, publishers, etc.  Their website gives people the false impression that these “auctions” have the fans buying some portion of revenues that go to artists or songwriters.  In my case at least, nothing could be further from the truth.  Nothing comes to me or my family.  It’s hurtful.

It’s this kind of thing that makes me even more excited to do the Sixx Sense radio show.  I look forward to shining a spotlight on issues like this one — issues that go unnoticed and issues that may otherwise slip through the cracks.

In the end I worry about the fans being ripped off.  I cannot (nor can any of my friends in the public eye) stop these bottom feeders.   If you want to know about Mötley Crüe, get The Dirt.  If you want to know about band members, get their individual books, but don’t support this type of behavior on this or any artists…. they say they’re excited to share this with fans and that may be so, but if it’s not about the money… then donate it to charity…

Thank You,

Nikki Sixx

http://www.myspace.com/nikkisixx