Kelly Nickels: The Untold Story of L.A. Guns
Kelly Nickels was there from the beginning with TWO of the biggest bands on the scene.
In this exclusive interview, the original L.A. Guns bassist sits down with The Hair Metal Guru to tell the incredible story of his career—from the early Sunset Strip days and his time in Faster Pussycat to helping build L.A. Guns into one of the defining bands of the hard rock era.
Kelly shares stories about the early years of Faster Pussycat and the devastating motorcycle accident that ended his time in the band, his reemergence in L.A. Guns, the making of “The Ballad of Jayne,” life on the road during the band’s biggest years, the turmoil during the early ’90s, and his later work with Riley’s L.A. Guns alongside the late Steve Riley.
This is one of the most in-depth conversations ever recorded with Kelly, featuring personal stories, behind-the-scenes memories, and rarely heard details about one of hard rock’s most enduring bands.
Topics include:
• The early days of L.A. Guns
• Faster Pussycat and the Sunset Strip scene
• Writing and recording “The Ballad of Jayne”
• The motorcycle accident that changed everything
• Steve Riley and Riley’s L.A. Guns
• Life during the glory years of hard rock
• Untold stories from Kelly’s career
If you’re a fan of L.A. Guns, Faster Pussycat, the Sunset Strip scene, or classic hard rock and hair metal, this is an interview you won’t want to miss.
Subscribe for more exclusive interviews, music history, and deep dives into the bands that defined the golden age of hard rock and hair metal.
Visit the Riley’s L.A. Guns website:
https://laguns.net/
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@HairMetalGuru419
June 8, 2026 at 11:37 pm
"What is your favorite L.A. Guns album or Kelly Nickels-era memory? Let me know below and enjoy the interview… and thank you to Kelly for the amazing conversation!
@that_one_mortgage_guy
June 8, 2026 at 11:37 pm
Great interview. Kelly shot it straight but still kept it respectful. I've met Phil and Tracii both. Kelly looks like a way nicer guy. Phil and Tracii have gigantic egos.
@aqureshi73
June 8, 2026 at 11:37 pm
Awesome interview! I will never know for sure, but in 1990 I saw Motley Crue in LA, Faster Pussycat opening. At one point during Motleys set a guy came next to me to watch. Nice guy, we both were saying how good the show was, etc. Then he was gone. Later I was thinking about that and it struck me it could have been Kelly Nickels. Looked just like him. Will remain a mystery…
@ErWo75
June 8, 2026 at 11:37 pm
Kelly has that Keith Richards and Izzy Stradlin coolness factor.
@Scott-si1hb
June 8, 2026 at 11:37 pm
"Typical bullshitter. I have the power!" – Dr. El Presidente Sleepy💤T-800 He Man Hawk Tuah
@ErWo75
June 8, 2026 at 11:37 pm
Kelly was a part of the magic of the classic lineup. You can’t replace the chemistry!
And he looked cool. 😎
@KennyChavis
June 8, 2026 at 11:37 pm
These interviews are so great and I know he has done other interviews but enjoy yours more. Kelly is just so humble and appreciative of his musical career. Definitely L.A. Guns should have had more success but I do think their name hurt some because of GNR comparison. Hollywood Vampires is my favorite but first 3 all are good. Best Channel on YouTube. Thanks
@ErWo75
June 8, 2026 at 11:37 pm
Another great interview.
@SardinianSleuth_1313
June 8, 2026 at 11:37 pm
Kelly rules !!!!
@MrMichaelrg
June 8, 2026 at 11:37 pm
Awesome interview Anthony and Kelly!
@kngtut13
June 8, 2026 at 11:37 pm
Thanks for this! Great interview. One of my favorite LA Guns songs in "Nothing Better to Do". Crazy how he did it as guidance for Phil and they put it on the album. 🤘🏼
@frankhilton340
June 8, 2026 at 11:37 pm
They also toured with Dangerous Toys and Tora Tora on their first album and they were supposed to play the Mid-Hudson Civic center and didn't find out until that afternoon that the show was canceled but luckily I saw the three bands on different occasions
@PapaToneWV
June 8, 2026 at 11:37 pm
Kelly just seems like a super chill dude. I do like Johnny Martin who’s been playing with the band since before the Phil and Tracii reunion, but it would be really cool to see Mick and Kelly playing with those guys again. LA guns is still able to put on a show unlike a lot of bands from that genre. Phil is singing as good as he ever has and Tracy is playing excellent.
@wyattsexton7083
June 8, 2026 at 11:37 pm
"Ain't The Same '92" original track from the EP was a great tune!
@Mike-Hair-Metal
June 8, 2026 at 11:37 pm
Thx 4 this interview. Kelly is a great guy. I luv L.A. GUNS!
@ScottReed-i1u
June 8, 2026 at 11:37 pm
Hyped this bad boy, cool dude and interview 🤘
@zakkiblakk
June 8, 2026 at 11:37 pm
38:07 that's so ironic Tracii would say ballads aren't LA Guns' thing when they've had some of the best ballads of the genre over the years lol
@TheFourZebras
June 8, 2026 at 11:37 pm
Kelly is awesome! Vicious Circle is a very underrated album.
@robertpavlicart1332
June 8, 2026 at 11:37 pm
Vicious Circle is my abs favorite LAG album….a classic w no fillers. Waking The Dead is also 👍👍👍👍 not sure if Kelly played on it
@KCKane-kc5dd
June 8, 2026 at 11:37 pm
Way cool! Super chill dude.
@rkline65
June 8, 2026 at 11:37 pm
Good interview for sure. My totally useless fact: The first 2 LA Guns albums I know the hits and a few bits and pieces…..but Hollywood Vampires I know every single word to every single song. It was another one of those albums that came out in June of 1991 right as I was graduating high school. Bands like TUFF, LA Guns, Blackeyed Susan, all released albums that Spring and they were a huge part of my life soundtrack when graduation high school….they will always be some of my favorite albums.
@loriland247
June 8, 2026 at 11:37 pm
Riley's LA GUNS album RENEGADES is pretty freakin awesome just sayin!!!
@thatpeterboy
June 8, 2026 at 11:37 pm
Awesome interview with Kelly! Part of the classic and best lineup. I agree Ballad of Jayne was definitely something special ❤️ as are the first three albums..so good!
@loriland247
June 8, 2026 at 11:37 pm
First Album hands down…. Hate that the Big hit was a Ballad…… it was good, but they were totally MORE THAN THAT SONG FOR SURE!!!!
@orbitsnoogslaghouse1188
June 8, 2026 at 11:37 pm
Jim Wirt produced VC
@bkipp
June 8, 2026 at 11:37 pm
Sweet Pain was a great record. And when Kelly left LA Guns 90% of the cool went out of that band.
@loriland247
June 8, 2026 at 11:37 pm
Kelly is thee best… Huge Fan of L.A Guns… ( from the first album …especially Bitch is Back on HeadBangers Ball…. The ALF on the Motorcycle was the Best). The VHS Love Peace and Geese is so awesome… Kelly quote "You can pick your friends and you can pick your nose, but you can't wipe your friends under the couch!!! —- SO CLASSIC
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