Endless love to my writer Anthony “fo-shozza” Bozza, I want to thank you for helping me purge the truth and make some sense of my life on paper to share with this world. Trust is a big issue with me and it was difficult to open up and trust that you wouldn’t do what so many others have done to me. I thank you!!! Working with you on this book has been quite the experience—you get me, and I get you!! We’ve shared so much … you know more about me than anyone and we’re not even fucking!! … hahah! … Finally … I now have a little brother.

Big ups to my editors Luke Dempsey and Suzanne O’Neill, my publisher Judith Curr, and all who worked so hard on this epic tale at S&S/Atria. Love to Erin Hosier, my book agent, for keeping us all in sync… . We got one hell of a book on our hands y’all!!

The true loves of my life Brandon and Dylan Lee (yes, one day Dad will try to explain all this to you boys). I love you Mom and Athena. Mom, we all miss Dad… . I look forward to the day when we all see each other again in heaven. I hope some of this stuff in this book doesn’t freak you out—god at this point I would imagine nothing freaks you out anymore, and if it does or I have caused you any pain, I’m sorry Mom! … I never meant to, and please stop reading those damn tabloids!! Athena, my dear sister, we’ve not always been the closest but know in my heart you’re the only sister I have and I love you so much.

Thanks to my awesome team for believing in me with their guidance and patience through some crazy ups and downs… . I love you guys… . Without you so many things would not be possible: Carl Stubner, my music and career manager, who guides the talent flow and locks in the deals; Barbara Berkowitz, my lawyer, who fights in the trenches and always has my back. Gerald Wil Rafferty, Ph.D., my life coach, who always gives me great advice (some of which I actually follow), you will never know how much calmness and hope you gave me when I was at my lowest point in life; you’re truly an angel. Corey Wagner, the hands-on man at Sanctuary, who somehow manages to just get it done. Thanks to David Weise and Christel Layton, who worry about all the details and pay my bills for me and helped clean up some real messes. Thanks to my agents, Mitch Rose and Erin Culley-LaChapelle, and all at CAA for your music and film bookings. Blain Clausen, Nick Lawson, and Jeff Fioretti at Sanctuary … thanks guys for all your hard work.

Super love and kisses to Alecia, Heather, Mayte, and Pamela; Diane Copeland … my love is endless for you! … You are my best girlfriend and sister, my lovely spiritual angel who stayed with me when not many did—all the late-night phone calls, the books, cards, and letters you sent. I’ll never forget the hours you spent with me crying and comforting me in the most uncomfortable time of my life… . I’ll also never forget all the times you set the phone down near the stereo and let me hear something that I was missing so bad … music! I love you Diane … muuuuuah!!

Thanks to David LaChappelle, Isabel Snyder, Dean Karr, Brie Childers, Dustin Jack, and Justin Jay. Thanks to my webmaster J.J. “Mr. Gizmology” Bugajski and his team for all your hard work and an amazing website. Artist Todd Gallapo for your dedication with my two great album covers and this book cover. Eli 5 Stone, thank you for the killer illustration “To-Up”; you’re a talented tortured artist (aren’t we all) who I hope will find peace soon. Thanks to James and the badasses at Syndrome for the stickman flipbook animation. Thanks to Dale Hoffer for the transcription and to researcher Lindsay Goldenberg. Much love to my musical soldiers who have rocked the world with me… . Scott Humphrey, more than a music producer, a music collaborator, and my best friend; Viggy, J3, Will, Marty, DJ Aero, Perk, Chris, Kai, and Tilo. Love to the Mötley Crüe dudes Nikki, Mick, and Vince, with whom I have spent twenty-plus years, and even with all the madness we built a huge career together that has gone down in history. A special shout out to all the fans, who over the years have supported all my musical journeys … thanks for letting me entertain you… . You guys fuckin’ rock!!

Love to Melissa Croland for your friendship and helping me with my baby boys whenever I need it … you rock girl. Love to Bob Suhusky, who kept my home safe while I camped out in L.A.’s finest gray bar motel and handled all those personal voice mail messages. Thanks to Scott Blum for your wisdom and ideas that never seem to end, you are a think tank, no doubt, and most of all your friendship. Steve Duda, thanks for the twenty-four-hour tech support and knowledge and friendship you have shared with me. Jason Harley, for all those very special nights in the kitchen tasting those amazing meals and also teaching me how to better my cooking skills. Tommy Rose, my driver and homeboy, who no matter what is always there to pick my ass up. Also thanks to Alter for teaching my kids and me how to spray paint graffiti on my garage walls, you fucker. Also a huge thanks to all the people who keep my home, Tommyland, the happiest place on earth!!

I want to thank YOU the reader for your support and interest in my life … enjoy the book… . I really, really, really enjoyed living it! … It’s been bananas!! Just because your name may not be here doesn’t mean I have forgotten about you. It’s just that the list is endless … you feel me?