The unsung hero of the band Mötley Crüe, Nikki Sixx is much more than a heavy metal bass player. Not only did he cofound Mötley Crüe with famous drummer Tommy Lee, but he served as the band’s principal songwriter and lyricist for the duration of its 34-year run.

Sixx is also a passionate photographer who began snapping pictures as a runaway drug user on the streets of Los Angeles. Now 17 years sober, he uses Leica cameras as tools to link the challenging experiences of his past with stories of hope for the future.

To celebrate Sixx’s unique dedication to the art of photography, the Leica camera company recently released the Leica Q Nikki Sixx Edition. Production numbers on this exceptional and exclusive camera are limited to just 28 units. The number 28 carries special significance to Sixx because he overdosed on heroin at that age. Arising after being clinically dead for several minutes, he used this experience as inspiration to begin the journey to recovery.

A “rock star” version of the Leica Q that Sixx has loved for years, the Leica Q Nikki Sixx Edition features a leatherette encasement with a black snakeskin finish that bears Sixx’s laser-engraved signature. This special edition Leica Q also features a black Leica leather wrist strap and a black DSPTCH braided shoulder strap that is durable enough to withstand even the toughest of photographic environments. Each unit sold comes complete with an autographed copy of the 10th anniversary edition of Sixx’s memoir, The Heroin Diaries.