Early Days:
Motley Crue was formed by bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee in 1981 in Los Angeles after Sixx left the band London. They soon recruited guitarist Mick Mars. Rock Candy singer Vince Neil was a high school classmate of Tommy Lee, and after some persuading agreed to audition and became the band’s vocalist. Motley Crue soon became popular on the Sunset Strip circuit and released their debut album Too Fast For Love on their own record label in 1981.
Triumph and Tragedy:
Their success soon drew the attention of record labels, and Motley Crue signed with Elektra. In 1983 Shout At The Devil was released, and set the band on the road to fame and fortune. Motley Crue was always known for their wild lifestyle, and in 1984 Vince Neil crashed his car making a liquor store run, killing passenger Nicholas “Razzle” Dingley of Hanoi Rocks and seriously injuring the occupants of the other vehicle.
Return To Glory:
Motley Crue rebounded from this tragedy with their most successful album to that point, 1985’s Theatre Of Pain, which spawned the hit singles “Home Sweet Home” and “Smokin’ In The Boys Room.” Their following two albums Girls Girls Girls (1987) and Dr. Feelgood (1989) cemented their status as one of the most popular and successful bands in the world.
Turmoil and Lineup Changes:
The grunge revolution of the early ‘90s pretty much destroyed hair metal at the time, and Motley Crue was no exception. Vince Neil left the band in 1992 to pursue a solo career and was replaced by John Corabi. The band’s self-titled album didn’t do well at all. Neil rejoined the group for 1997’s Generation Swine, which was also a commercial failure. Tommy Lee then quit the band and was replaced by Randy Castillo for 2000’s New Tattoo, released on the band’s own Motley Records.
Reunion and Crue Fest:
After a hiatus of a few years, the classic lineup reunited and toured in support of 2005’s compilation album Red,White and Crue. They’ve been going strong ever since, releasing the studio album Saints Of Los Angeles in 2008. They also started their own summer festival Crue Fest, which also began in 2008.
Current Motley Crue Band Members:
Vince Neil – Vocals
Mick Mars – Guitar
Nikki Sixx – Bass
Tommy Lee - Drums
Mick Mars – Guitar
Nikki Sixx – Bass
Tommy Lee - Drums
Former Band Members:
John Corabi Vocals/Guitar (1992-97)
Greg Leon – Guitar (1981)
Randy Castillo – Drums (1999-2000)
Samantha Maloney – Drums (2000)
Greg Leon – Guitar (1981)
Randy Castillo – Drums (1999-2000)
Samantha Maloney – Drums (2000)
Motley Crue Discography:
1981 Too Fast for Love (Leathur)
1983 Shout at the Devil (Elektra)
1985 Theatre of Pain (Elektra)
1987 Girls, Girls, Girls (Elektra)
1989 Dr. Feelgood (Elektra)
1994 Mötley Crüe (Elektra)
1997 Generation Swine (Elektra)
2000 New Tattoo (Motley)
2005 Red, White, and Crüe Compilation (Motley)
2008 Saints of Los Angeles (Motley)
1983 Shout at the Devil (Elektra)
1985 Theatre of Pain (Elektra)
1987 Girls, Girls, Girls (Elektra)
1989 Dr. Feelgood (Elektra)
1994 Mötley Crüe (Elektra)
1997 Generation Swine (Elektra)
2000 New Tattoo (Motley)
2005 Red, White, and Crüe Compilation (Motley)
2008 Saints of Los Angeles (Motley)
Recommended Motley Crue Album:
Shout At The Devil
While their later albums were more commercially successful and had more radio hits, 1983’s Shout At The Devil is a classic. The rawness of the band’s early days is still evident, but so is their hit potential, which can be heard in the title track, “Looks That Kill,” and “Too Young To Fall In Love,” which are all still concert staples today.
While their later albums were more commercially successful and had more radio hits, 1983’s Shout At The Devil is a classic. The rawness of the band’s early days is still evident, but so is their hit potential, which can be heard in the title track, “Looks That Kill,” and “Too Young To Fall In Love,” which are all still concert staples today.
