Motley Crue is a hard rock/heavy metal band from the Los Angeles area. They first formed in 1980 when bassist Nikki Sixx (born Frank Ferrano) met drummer Tommy Lee (born Tommy Lee Bass) in another band. Their search for a guitarist led them to Recycler magazine, and an ad posted by guitarist Mick Mars (born Bob Deal). Tommy Lee suggested that they hire a high school acquaintance, Vince Neil (born Vince Neil Wharton), as their vocalist, and the original lineup was completed. They were heavily influenced by Kiss, and wore some makeup, but not as much as Kiss.
Their first album, Too Fast For Love, initially came out on an independent label, Leathur Records, in 1981. Hits included "Live Wire" and "Piece Of Your Action." It sold so well that they were signed to Elektra Records, and the album was rereleased in 1982.
Their second album, Shout At The Devil, released in 1983, contained Satanic graphics and symbols, though the band admitted that they were not Satanic. Hits included the title track and "Looks That Kill."
The ballad "Home Sweet Home," released on 1985's Theatre Of Pain album, became their first major hit. The next album, Girls, Girls, Girls (1987), included the hit video for the title track on MTV. By this time, Motley Crue was one of the country's most popular rock groups.
Dr. Feelgood (1989) was a message to the band's fans to stay away from drugs. Bassist Nikki Sixx almost died when he overdosed on the "Girls, Girls, Girls" tour. The band wanted to get this point across in their music, so this album expressed this message. A greatest hits compilation, Decade Of Decadence, was released in 1991 with three new songs, including "Primal Scream."
Vince Neil was then fired in 1992, after tensions in the studio developed, and new vocalist John Corabi joined the band for one album, the self-titled Motley Crue album in 1994. An EP called Quaternary followed, which featured one song from each member, and one song that the band did together.
Poor album sales led to Corabi being fired, and Vince Neil being reunited with his old band in 1996. Motley's next album, Generation Swine (1997), had an alternative sound that didn't appeal to old-school Motley Crue fans. Nonetheless, the album did feature tracks with lead vocals by Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee, in addition to Vince Neil's vocal duties.
In 1998, the band released a second greatest hits package, which featured two new songs. This was the band's first release on their new label, Beyond Records, in conjunction with their label, Motley Records. The band fought for the rights to their Elektra albums in court and won, which allowed them to reissue their back catalog on Beyond, completely remastered and with bonus tracks on each, including old demos and unreleased songs.
In 1999, after tensions with Vince Neil flared up, drummer Tommy Lee left Motley Crue to form his own band, Methods Of Mayhem. Drummer Randy Castillo, who had formerly played with Ozzy Osbourne, was chosen as Lee's replacement. A double live album, Live-Entertainment Or Death, was released that year as a close to the Lee era.
In 2000, Motley Crue released the album New Tattoo, which is a return to their roots. The band is currently on tour in support of the new album.
