Mötley Crüe
The kings of Los Angeles glam metal
Formation and early years
Mötley Crüe was formed in Los Angeles in 1981 around Vince Neil (vocals), Nikki Sixx (bass), Mick Mars (guitar), and Tommy Lee (drums). The band embodied the excesses of the Sunset Strip glam metal scene.
Rise and excess
Shout at the Devil (1983) established them on the metal scene. Theatre of Pain (1985) and Girls, Girls, Girls (1987) confirmed their status as the biggest glam metal band. Dr. Feelgood (1989) reached number one on the Billboard charts.
Their collective autobiography, The Dirt (2001), recounts their excesses and was adapted into a Netflix film in 2019.
Nikki Sixx was clinically dead for two minutes following a heroin overdose on December 23, 1987, before being revived by paramedics. This episode directly inspired the song “Kickstart My Heart”. Sixx’s autobiography The Heroin Diaries (2007) remains a raw account of addiction in the rock world.
Legacy
Mötley Crüe has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide. The band performed several farewell tours before returning to the stage in 2022 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Iconic guitar
Mick Mars is associated with Gibson Les Paul Custom guitars and custom black-finished models, delivering a heavy and bluesy sound.
