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#1233: Mötley Imposter – Inside Scoop!

A sequel to Record Store Tales #978:  Mötley Imposter

RECORD STORE TALES #1233: Mötley Imposter – Inside Scoop!

On December 12, 2025 5:54 pm, I received the email that could shake the very foundations of Motley Crue.

I jest, of course.  I debated whether to post this or not, but ultimately decided to release it to the public.  I have removed the sender’s name for privacy, but I have not edited their text in any way.

This follows up an article I wrote in 2022 called “Mötley Imposter”.  It is the story of Matthew Trippe,who claimed to have replaced Nikki Sixx in Motley Crue at one point in the mid-80s.  Though it follows that story, the email I received is about four different bass players, not Trippe!

According to Trippe’s tale, he was hired to “be” the new Nikki, but was fired when the “real” Nikki returned to the band.  The year was 1988 and Trippe (reported in some articles as Matthew Von Trippe, getting his middle name John wrong) was featured in an issue of Kerrang.  Matthew’s claim was that the real Sixx had a dibilitating car accident in 1982, and so a lookalike (Trippe) was hired to play bass and write music with the band, with no one in the audience being any the wiser. Trippe had tattoos similar to Nikki, and dyed his hair black.  The real Nikki Sixx was having his own issues, but being replaced in the Crue was not one of them.  Kerrang broke the story in March of ’88, with lawsuits a-flyin’.  Trippe wanted compensation for what he claimed were two or three years in Motley Crue.

The lawsuits went nowhere because there was only ever one real Nikki Sixx, but the story has gone on to have a life of its own.  Trippe did go down in history as the subject of a Motley Crue song called “Say Yeah”, which is better than he probably deserved.  We covered the story on YouTube with Canadian author Brent Jensen, but that was not the last I heard about Matthew John Trippe.

The unedited email I received is below.  Apparently the real Nikki Sixx died in 1981 and was replaced by four other bassists in succession.  The current Nikki started in 1987.   Dig in below…and try not to think too hard!

hello Mike, im emailing you in regards about NIKKI SIXX, The Sixx in Motley Crue today since 1987 -present is not the original Nikki Sixx, the original sixx was Killed in a barfight in 1981, in los angeles , He was replaced by a guy named Pat Searle or sears, who isnt a good bass player but a poser. then Pat had a car accident in 1983 after the US Festival , he was replaced by other understudies which was 3 others , the first 2 of them was from Blackie Lawless previous bands SISTER AND CIRCUS CIRCUS, One is a guitar player named Randy Schatz & A bass player named Joey Palermo , they both have been friends with motley crue since the early days and the other guy is from Vince Neils former band rock candy ,he was the bass player whos tall and skinny and looks like a rock star before the 80s glam look..the guy from Rock Candy definitely was in motley crue as nikki sixx i have photos to prove it.. I dont know his name and his name isnt Joe Marks because Joe Marks has been accounted for in recent years.. the others are ghosts.the bass player from vinces former band rock candy is on google images ..he married Brandy Brandt,see his pictures without make up .,hes also in the Don”t go away mad video” hes the Sixx with the pony tail walking with tommy and mick. im not trying to dog nikki sixx or expose there secrets but the truth must come out sometime..matthew trippe was not in motley crue..he was an obsessed fan with mental issues who kind of stalked the band on tour during those days.,he did get some things right about this present nikki sixx has blue eyes not green..ive seen nikki sixx with green eyes and black or brown eyes in color pictures and it was not nikki sixx. i hope this information helps..None really cares about this information anyway..but is just food for thought. i also have pictures of these guys before motley and during motley . They all got let go becuase the Sixx we see today got stated back in the band in the late early or late 90s to play live because he sucked at playing bass and couldnt keep his time. i hope this helps..and the all probably signed NDAs too. im sure they didnt make alot of money playing that role of nikki sixx..

 

As for Trippe, who died in 2014, he never came clean about his ruse.  He did go down in history as the subject of a Motley Crue song called “Say Yeah”, which is better than he probably deserved!

Grab A Stack of Rock theme video – Updated with Harper, Oscar Award, Robert Lawson & Darcyska

Music & vocals by Tee Bone, remix and guitar solo by Tim Durling.  Writting by M Ladano, J Ladano, T Erickson

Not including myself, 53 people have been on Grab A Stack of Rock to date since its debut on October 28 2022.

Cool things still to come.  More interviews lined up in 2026, and 50 Years of Iron Maiden rolls on.  We have two NEW series that we have started recruiting guests for, and many more surprises lined up.   Because the song is now over two minutes long, we are using it as our outro video instead of intro.  It will debut on the February 20 episode of Grab A Stack of Rock – Top 20 Queensryche songs!

Stick around!

 

  1. Blaze Bayley
  2. Harrison Kopp
  3. Mike Ladano
  4. Eric “Uncle Meat” Litwiller
  5. Aaron KMA
  6. Tim Durling
  7. Rob Daniels
  8. John T Snow
  9. Marco D’Auria
  10. Grant Arthur
  11. Brian Richards
  12. MarriedandHeels
  13. Kevin Simister
  14. Dr. Kathryn
  15. Jen Ladano
  16. Grace Scheele
  17. Jex Russell
  18. Spencer “Spenny” Rice
  19. Nurse Kat
  20. Peter Kerr
  21. John Clauser
  22. Erik Woods
  23. Jason Drury
  24. Pierre-Luc Allard
  25. Len Labelle
  26. Reed Little
  27. Metal Roger
  28. John the Music Nut
  29. Mike Slayen
  30. Pete Jones
  31. Todd Evans
  32. James Kalyn
  33. Angie Moon
  34. Ryan Gavalier
  35. Chris Preston
  36. Dan Chartrand
  37. Glen “Archie” Gamble
  38. bicyclelegs
  39. Davey Cretin
  40. Melissa Nee
  41. Sidney Cini A
  42. shley Geisler
  43. Martin Popoff
  44. Bert Blotto
  45. F Lee Harvey Blotto
  46. Bowtie Blotto
  47. Broadway Blotto
  48. Jake Not From State Farm
  49. Bob Cesca (Camp Chaos)
  50. Lana Teramae
  51. Robert Lawson
  52. Harper (with Oscar)
  53. D’Arcy Briggs
  54. and (briefly) Max the Axe

50 Years of IRON MAIDEN bonus episode: Reissued Singles with New B-Sides 2002-2005

50 Years of IRON MAIDEN bonus episode: Reissued Singles with New B-Sides 2002-2005

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK bonus episode

This 22 minute bonus episode finally wraps up some of the loose ends that we skipped over in prior instalments.  We wanted to group these special singles into one episode.

In 2002, Maiden reissued “Run to the Hills” to support a special fundraising gig for the Clive Burr MS Trust Fund.  The first CD single included songs from Beast Over Hammersmith, also released in 2002 on Eddie’s Archive.  This single also supported the forthcoming Rock In Rio album.  A second CD included two tracks from Reading 1982.  Both singles included Camp Chaos videos later released on Visions of the Beast.  “Total Eclipse” is a previously unreleased live version.

In 2005, to support The Early Years DVD, Maiden reissued “The Number of the Beast” on CD and vinyl.  There were new B-sides here as well, from the Clive Burr support gig at Brixton ’02.   The single also included a Camp Chaos video, and a live video from Brixton.

Finally in 2005, supporting Death on the Road, “The Trooper” was reissued on multiple formats.  A highly coveted download-only version of “The Trooper” from Iceland in 2005 remains one of Maiden’s most highly sought rarities, simply because it had no physical release and is no longer for sale on their website.  The singles on various formats included a slew of early tracks from the Eddie Rips Up The World Tour.  Once again the CD version included videos, but no Camp Chaos this time.

Harrison and Mike will go through all the versions of all the singles, in detail tonight.  That wraps up all the loose ends before we get into the next studio album, A Matter of Life and Death.  Don’t miss this special, crucial part of Maiden history.

Friday February 6 at 7:00 P.M. E.S.T., 8:00 PM Atlantic.  Enjoy on YouTube.

 

 

Past episodes:

Handy YouTube Playlist:

 

Off The Charts: Our Musical Tribute to Catherine O’Hara

It was with great sadness last week that we learned of the passing of Canadian icon Catherine O’Hara.  From first seeing her on SCTV as Lola Heatherton and many more great characters, through to Home Alone, Beetlejuice, all of the Christopher Guest films, and Schitt’s Creek, Catherine was part of our lives through every stage.

Please join Dan Chartrand and myself, on OfftheCharts, for our musical tribute to this Canadian treasure.  She will be terribly missed by fans and friends alike.

 

 

REVIEW/VIDEO: Rick Hughes – Redemption (Japanese CD) with Dan @OfftheCharts

Please join Dan from OfftheCharts and I for this review and unboxing!

RICK HUGHES – Redemption (2025 Deko/Rubicon Japanese import)

Rick Hughes of Sword fame is back with some of his most personal music to date.  In short:  it rocks!

Highlights:

  • “Dead End Road”
  • “The Real Me”
  • “Will of the Gun”
  • “Someday”

The Who cover “The Real Me” features Ozzy’s Speak of the Devil band!  Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot, Whitesnake), Tommy Aldridge (Whitesnake) and Brad Gillis (Night Ranger).  This smashing version destroys other cover versions you know.  Meanwhile, “Someday” is not really a cover of an Aldo Nova song.  It is a Rick song he has reclaimed as his own.

There are more guests such as Lee Aaron and Robby Krieger (the Doors), and not one weak song in the batch of rockers, ballads, and soulful swingers.

Check out the video below, where Rick explains the origins of “Someday” while we take a good look at the Japanese CD and compare to the domestic vinyl.

4/5 stars

🅻🅸🆅🅴: Collecting Quirks of the Music Nerds with Tim Durling

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK With Mike and the Mad Metal Man

Special 🅻🅸🆅🅴 Episode featuring guest Tim Durling

Episode 136: Collecting Quirks of the Music Nerds

On tonight’s special episode of Grab A Stack of Rock, we welcome back special guest Tim Durling, for a controversial topic:  collecting!  Every collector has different “needs” and goals.  For example, Harrison and I seek a physical copy of every officially released song, and versions of songs, by the bands we collect.  Tim has different goals in mind.  On deck for tonight’s discussion:

  • Controvery! Tim doesn’t open vinyl!
  • Tim and Mike have formats they can’t play!
  • What we buy, what we don’t and why?
  • CD/DVD/Bluray combo packages – where do we file them?
  • KISS Solo Albums – What order?
  • Box Sets – how do we file those?
  • Filing “Alice” under “A”?
  • Filing side projects under main bands?
  • Why Mike didn’t like having two copies of any one thing.
  • What is “complete” to us?
  • Do we collect air?  And why not?
  • Why Mike will not share files.
  • Mad About Purchases.
  • At what point do I decide I’m “done” collection any band?

This is sure to be a wild discussion.  Don’t miss it tonight!

Friday January 30 at  7:00 PM EST, 8:00 PM Atlantic.  Enjoy on YouTube, Facebook or Twitter.

John the MusicNut: The Live Cut: Steve Earle – Shut Up and Die Like an Aviator with Mike Ladano and Robert Lawson

I was thrilled to be asked to join my friend John the Music Nut on his channel for the first time ever!  John has been on Grab A Stack of Rock, and we’ve both been on Tim’s Vinyl Confessions and My Music Corner among other shows, but this was my debut on his channel and it was really, really cool.  John wanted to do Steve Earle’s live album Shut Up and Die Like an Aviator for his series The Live Cut.  Since that album was partly recorded in my home town of Kitchener Ontario, I immediately said yes.  And then, something cool happened.

After posting the album cover on social media, author Robert Lawson mentioned that he was at both shows recorded for the album, and numerous other Steve Earle concerts too.  It was a no-brainer to get him on too, and it’s a good thing because Robert is the star of this episode!  He brought with him tickets stubs and merch that you won’t likely see anywhere else.  He also has so much insight and relevant stories about the album and tour, that some Wikipedia articles might need some additions and corrections now.

Don’t miss this episode which will premiere Saturday, January 24.  This is what John had to say:

On the latest edition of The Live Cut, I am joined by Mike Ladano (Grab a Stack of Rock) and author Robert Lawson as we discuss Steve Earle and the Dukes’ first live album, Shut Up and Die Like an Aviator. Released on September 17, 1991, this album features performances from October 5, 1990 at Centennial Hall in London, Ontario, Canada and the following night at Centre at the Square in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, respectively. Robert attended both of these shows and shares his stories from seeing Steve during this era. What do you think of this album as well as Steve Earle and the Dukes’ music? Please let us know in the comments! 

I will be posting my text review of the album on Sunday the 25th!

 

🅻🅸🆅🅴 50 Years of IRON MAIDEN episode 28: Death on the Road

50 Years of IRON MAIDEN episode 28: Death on the Road

A special 🅻🅸🆅🅴 episode with guest Jex Russell

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK #135

Scream for me, YouTube!  We’re back with our first live Maiden episode of 2026.  We try and do the live albums as live episodes, since we love that live show experience so much.  With us this time is a lucky owner of the Death on the Road DVD, Mr. Jex Russell!  We first saw his copy of the DVD back in June 26 on a special episode on our Maiden collections.  That set being such a rarity, we had to get Jex back on board when it was time to talk about it.

The early 2000s were an incredibly busy time for Iron Maiden, and for the first time ever we had two consecutive live albums after two consecutive studio albums.  This leads to natural comparisons with Rock In Rio, which also received CD and DVD releases.

Tonight we go all-in for the live album, breaking it down track by track.  Harrison and Jex will have their DVD copies on hand to detail us on its contents.  All three of us will be live to answer your questions and comments as we go!  Don’t miss this special live episode!

 

Friday January 23 at  7:00 PM EST, 8:00 PM Atlantic.  Enjoy on YouTube or Facebook.

Past episodes:

Handy YouTube Playlist:

 

 

Rock Daydream Nation: Black Sabbath – Born Again: Is this album hot or not?

Good morning!  For your entertainment this fine day, please check out Rock Daydream Nation’s epic analysis of Black Sabbath’s controversial Born Again LP.  Is this album hot or not?  Long time readers know my feeling on this subject.  Ian Gillan of Deep Purple fame joined Black Sabbath’s otherwise-original lineup to record the weirdest sounding albums in Sabbath history.  It could also be their heaviest, most evil sounding album with some of Ian’s most perplexing lyrics ever.

Born Again has been seen in a better light over the decades, but I still receive much mockery when I tell people how high I rank it.  Will our panel today agree with me?

Joining Peter and I are a special Rock Daydream Nation YouTube panel featuring Reed Little, John Gaffney (Alchemist of Rock), and Brandon Battick (Disturbing the Priest).

Saturday 17 January at 8 AM EST!  Join us!