He’s the antidote for snowflakes. Vince Neil, lead singer of Mötley Crüe, is a hardcore, down and dirty rock ‘n’ roller, who delivers that soul-pounding sound that feels so good. He’s got a jaw-dropping past and a hidden sweet spot for his “Crüe” that keeps him loud and proud of his music. Headlining Coral Head Music Festival on Sunday, Feb. 17, Neil plays the hits off his solo albums “Exposed” and “Tattoos & Tequila,” as well as others, and of course, some classic Mötley Crüe.

“I heard it was the Keys and I knew it would be killer,” said Neil, talking like a seasoned rock star. It’s not his first Keys visit; Neil hosted the “Motley Cruise,” which stopped in Key West back in 2008. The Keys rule in his book.

Neil joined Tommy Lee and Nikki Sixx to form Mötley Crüe almost four decades ago, in 1981.

“I’ve done it all my life,” he said. “I love it, it’s a great job.”

The band forged its way through a sea of excellent heavy metal and hard rock bands like Def Leppard, Van Halen, and Poison and came out on top with hits like “Theatre of Pain” “Girls, Girls, Girls,” “Home Sweet Home” and “Dr. Feelgood.” Their music defined sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll both onstage and off. Each member of the band made headlines with wild parties, brushes with the law and skirting death.

“It kicks ass. Love it, leave it or hate it, it’s us, and I dig the title.”
—Vince Neil on the biopic movie “The Dirt,” coming this spring based
on Mötley Crüe’s 2002 memoirs. It will feature four new Mötley Crüe

But he isn’t all music. Neil’s a huge football fan, but wouldn’t say his Super Bowl pick so as not to offend anyone. But “Kickstart My Heart” was featured in a Mr. Peanut ad, making Neil happy to be at least a part of Super Bowl. Also an entrepreneur, he has businesses in the tattoo industry, a winery, tequila brand and restaurants called Dr. Feelgood, among many ventures. “I like doing all those things because then I can give back. That’s what really makes a difference.” Neil donates heavily to charities around the country and has a soft spot for helping others.

But it always comes back to the music. “I promise, everyone’s gonna know every word to every song,” said Neil. “ I love concerts, and I promise a high energy show.”

A rock star is always a rock star and a stage, as Neil sings, is always “Home Sweet Home.”

Coral Head Music Fest
Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 16-17
Marathon Community Park
For tickets and info:
coralheadmusicfest.com

Hays Blinckmann is an oil painter, author of the novel “In The Salt,” lover of all things German including husband, children and Bundesliga. She spends her free time developing a font for sarcasm, testing foreign wines and failing miserably at home cooking.