News Segment

VINCE NEIL WANTED FOR DALLAS DUST-UP:

December 16, 2004

Vince Neil’s used to spending his time shouting at the devil, now he’s running from the cops.

An arrest warrant was issued in Dallas Wednesday for the Mtley Cre singer. He’s wanted on a misdemeanor assault charge for allegedly beating down a soundman during an Oct. 30 gig in the Big D.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $4,000 fine.

According to the Dallas Morning News, the rock ‘n’ roll bad boy is in trouble for some in-concert antics during a solo performance at Dallas club Gilley’s.

Neil got into it with Michael Talbert, the man behind the soundboard, over volume levels. The 43-year-old singer purportedly asked Talbert to pump up the guitar, but before Talbert had a chance to adjust the levels, Neil allegedly came racing across the stage to kick the soundboard before punching Talbert in the face.

The force of the blow knocked the soundman unconscious for 45 seconds and a CAT scan taken after the sucker-punch revealed Talbert, 44, suffered a mild concussion, according to police.

“I’m glad to hear it,” Talbert said of the warrant in the Morning News. “There’s no reason, as far as I’m concerned, why anybody should act like that. I don’t care if you’re Vince Neil or John Doe.”

No comment yet from Neil or his camp on the outstanding warrant.

This is certainly not the first time the Surreal Life liver has been on the wrong side of the law. In 2002, Neil was the subject of an arrest warrant after pummeling a music producer outside a Los Angeles nightspot. The rocker eventually pleaded no contest to the charge and had his record wiped clean after paying restitution and completing 100 hours of community service.

Then last year Neil wound up in the police blotter for roughing-up a prostitute in a Nevada brothel. Neil copped a plea earlier this year and was sentenced to a 30-day suspended jail term, $1,000 fine and an anger-management course. Neil was later hit with a civil suit from the victim, asking for $20,000 in damages from Neil, who, she alleged, “slammed her into a wall” following a payment dispute. That case is still pending.

Two weeks ago, the newly regrouped Cre announced a massive arena tour. The Red, White and Cre Tour will take them through the Dallas area on March 17.

City police have threatened to take Neil into custody at that time if he does not act on the warrant before then. That is, if they recognize him. Neil recently admitted on Jimmy Kimmel Live to having massive plastic surgery as part of a TV makeover show.

Charlie Amter courtesy of E! Online