Born Frank Carlton Serafino Ferranno on Dec. 11, 1958, in San Jose, Nikki Sixx is best known as the bassist for Motley Crue. While living in Idaho, he became a teenage vandal, breaking into neighbors homes, shoplifting and being expelled from school for selling drugs. He bought his first bass with money made from selling a guitar he stole from a music store. At age 17 he moved to Los Angeles and started playing in a band with Blackie Lawless. Motley Crue formed in 1981 and quickly rose to stardom. Like his bandmates, he enjoyed drugs and excessive partying and was once declared dead after an overdose - only to be revived with shots of adrenaline directly to his heart, which was the inspiration for the song "Kickstart My Heart."
Sixx also made news recently by visiting Bon Scott's grave. Read more.
Born Dec. 11, 1964, Dave Schools is best known as the bassist for Widespread Panic. Schools was an English major in college and also played with the group Stockholm Syndrome. Primarily known for playing six-string Modulus basses, Schools says he rediscovered the four-string when jamming with Gov't Mule. Considered by many to be an underrated playing, Schools seems to enjoy keeping a relatively low profile while laying down the low end every night onstage.
This Day In Bass History 
