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Some reflections on 2006 and a look ahead to what the new year may bring, from a handful of pure rockers, courtesy of KNAC.COM Boston contributor, Deb Rao.

Motley Crue’s Nikki Sixx on the Root of All Evil Tour:

“You know there were a few reasons that Motley Crue and Aerosmith wanted to tour together. One reason was, we both knew that we had some similar audiences, but we also knew we also had different audiences. One of the greatest things was hearing from Aerosmith's management company that Aerosmith would like to tour with us. Not only do they respect us, but the fact that we have a way younger audience than them. They would like that audience to see them. They are one of the greatest rock and roll bands that there is. Our response to that was phenomenal." You guys have an audience that doesn't come see us as much, because Aerosmith is ten years older than us. So their die-hard fans are older than any audience we have. So it is so interesting to see teens, twenties, thirties, forties, and fifties, all at one concert. The last time I have seen that was at The Rolling Stones. When we opened for the Rolling Stones. I will honestly say that was the Rolling Stones audience that was there that night, and not the Motley Crue audience. I know we had fans there, but we were playing with the fuckin greatest band in the world.

Next year we are going to take a break. I know there was talk of wanting to extend it into Europe and making it Worldwide. We have been on the road for 15, or 16 months now. It is time to go home. Tommy is going to do the Super Nova thing. I am working on the Royal Underground. It is a big priority for me. I am launching my Heroine Diaries book. There is going to be a soundtrack to that book. To be honest with you, I just want to sleep in my own bed for a while.”

Sixx notes his favorite Metal Moment of 2006:

"Well I'd have to say it was the return of Slayer, and their huge comeback with The Unholy Alliance Tour." Some people might find it strange that I like Slayer, but I do. Sure they're a death-metal/thrash/hardcore band, but I like that sort of music." And, his Crue-year's resolution:

"Yeah, I got one. Don't fuck up with my relationships."

Dokken will release Lightning Strikes Again in 2007featuring a line-up of Don Dokken on vocals, Barry Sparks (Ted Nugent) on bass, Mick Brown (Ted Nugent) on drums, and Jon Levin (ex-Warlock) on guitar.

Don Dokken says, “It will be a very heavy progressive record. Just some cool songs, some dark songs, and some medium tempo. Some of the best work that I have done in years. I am not looking for any kind of sound. I am just writing whatever spiritual inspiration comes to me. You could say the sound is very heavy like "Kiss Of Death."

“We have been lucky all these years. In our career a lot of bands have come and gone. It is all about the music. As long as you keep making good music, people will buy it. I think a lot of the bands made the mistake of just writing the same record all over again. Nothing fresh, nothing new to say. Dokken is always trying to grow.

I think one of the most fun New Year's new shows in recent years was playing with Def Leppard in the Millennium. Because it was the year 2000, it was a special night playing in the arena in Chicago. We had a great party afterwards. I remember that show specifically because my New Year's Resolution was to quit drinking. I quit drinking for 2 years. I didn't drink a drop. I decided to give my liver a rest. It is hard to do, on the road, when you want to have a glass of wine unwind after a show. It is like anything. You have to do it in moderation.

Quiet Riot drummer, Frankie Banali recalls his favorite events of 2006:

“My nine year old daughter getting her first ever 1st Place Blue Ribbon and Best of Show Ribbon and Award Plaque in English horseback riding competitions in 2006, and (Seeing) Jeff Beck at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles.”

Banali says he looks forward to a long ’07 touring season in support of the new Quiet Riot album, Rehab.

White Lion recently wrapped up a tour of Europe, and drummer Troy Patrick Farrell says 2006 was a good year. “One great thing is that the band maybe getting a little older, but the fans are getting younger. I'm talking 19 and 20 year old fans, as knowing of the songs as their parents and the older fans. Who would've thought White Lion would be viable in 2006? This run is going to help our plans for 2007 and make next year's shows bigger and better.”

Farrell sneaks in a little memorable tidbit about his 2006: “I'm making more memories everyday, but getting lost in the Alps is one I haven't forgotten yet!”

Warrant guitarist, Erik Turner says the band’s Born Again album marked a re-birth for more than just the band. “We got a new singer. It kind of feels like a fresh new beginning. It would be nice for our musical careers to be born again. It has that kind of double meaning. A lot of people think of Christianity, when they think of "Born Again." 80's rock being born again, that is where the title came from.”

Black Label Society guitarist Nick Catanese, and bass player John JD Deservio spent the year touring and look back fondly. Catanese says, “The Metal Scene seems to be re-vitalized in 2006. Guitar solos are once again back in fashion. Fans are listening to lyrics, once again.”

Deservio says he’s really seen a resurgence of metal fans. “I think it'll last a while again. The kids are reaching back, which is everything for the future. I think the kids today are starting to go back and check the masters that came before them. There were so many great guitar heroes years ago. I always kid Zakk, he's the last one left! He wins by default!”