Motley Crue

Motley Crue

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Origins

Mötley Crüe was formed in California during 1980 when bassist Nikki Sixx left the band London and began rehearsing and going out with Tommy Lee and vocalist/guitarist Greg Leon. Lee had worked previously with Leon in a band called Suite love 19 and the trio practiced together for some time with Leon eventually deciding not to continue. The bassist and drummer then began a search for new lovers.

Sixx and Lee soon met guitarist Mick Mars. Mars was performing in various blues based acts under his name Bob Alan Deal; when he placed an ad in The Recycler reading "Loud, rude, aggressive guitarist available". On meeting Lee and Sixx's first reaction was, "I can't believe it! Here's another one like us!" Lee later said in interviews that Mars "came in looking like Cousin Itt from The Addams Family." Mars was quickly auditioned and subsequently hired by Sixx and Lee.

One of Mars' first contributions to the new band would be its name. For a short time "Christmas" was toyed with on the basis that the familiar word might attract a larger fan base. Mars had been playing for a band, White Horse, when one of the members called the group "a motley looking crew." He had remembered the phrase and later copied it down as Mottley Kru. Modifying the spelling slightly, 'Mötley Crüe' was eventually selected with the inspiration to add the two sets of umlauts supposedly coming from the German beer the members were drinking at the time.

The group was still in need of a singer . Tommy Lee had known Vince Neil from their high school days at Royal Oak H.S. in Covina and the two had performed in different bands on the garage-band circuit. On seeing him perform with the band Rockcandi sex toy at the Starwood in Hollywood, Mars suggested Mötley Crüe hire Vince. At first he refused. However, as the other members of Rock Candy became involved in outside toy projects, Neil grew anxious to try something else. When Lee made one final appeal to audition he accepted.

Band Members

Line-ups (1981-1992)

(1992-1997)

(1997-1999)

  • Vince Neil - lead vocals, occasional rhythm guitar
  • Mick Mars - lead & rhythm guitars
  • Nikki Sixx - bass, keyboards, backing vocals, lead vocals
  • Tommy Lee - drums, percussion, keyboards, backing vocals, lead vocals

(1999-2000)

(2000-2001)

(2001-2004)

(2004-2007)

(2007-present)

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