Mötley Crüe

**Mötley Crüe** is an American rock band formed in 1981 based out of Los Angeles, California. They were one of the biggest glam metal bands of the 1980s. What was planned to be their final show took place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on December 31, 2015. Yet reunited in 2018 and have been touring active since.

### 1980s

Mötley Crüe was formed at the start of 1981. At first the band consisted of vocalist-guitarist Greg Leon, bassist Nikki Sixx, and drummer Tommy Lee. After auditions, they found singer Vince Neil at a party and guitar player Mick Mars via an ad in a paper. They released their first album, _Too Fast For Love,_ in 1981. The band later got signed to a major label. They built success over the next few years with their next three albums, _Shout at the Devil_, _Theatre of Pain_ and _Girls, Girls, Girls_. Hit songs like "Shout at the Devil" "Home Sweet Home" and "Girls, Girls, Girls" came off these albums.

However, the band's popularity dropped due to their use of illegal drugs, large amounts of sex with women, and how they looked, such as wearing make-up and several tattoos. Nikki Sixx overdosed on heroin in 1987, and was legally dead for two minutes before getting an adrenaline shot. This made him conscious again. The band stopped doing drugs and drinking shortly after. They released their most popular album, _Dr. Feelgood,_ in 1989.

### 1990s

They released a greatest hits album in 1991 so fans had something to listen to before they brought out a sixth album. However, relations between the band members got worse. Vince Neil left the band in 1992. So, the band found a new singer named John Corabi, who also played guitar and wrote lyrics. They released their self-titled album in 1994. It created a mixed response from fans who preferred Vince Neil as the band's singer, and did not like the music itself. It was more in-line with hard rock and alternative metal than the band's iconic glam metal sound.

John Corabi left in 1996 and Vince Neil came back. The band released _Generation Swine_ in 1997, but the album created a mixed response over their musical experimentation. Tommy Lee was unhappy with Vince Neil back in the band and further arguments between band members caused Lee to leave the band. He was replaced by Randy Castillo.

### 2000s

The band released their least successful album, New Tattoo, in 2000. It sounded more like the band's 80s albums rather than the more experimental albums they released in the 90s. After the album, Randy Castillo became ill and Samantha Maloney had to drum during some of the band's concerts. Randy Castillo died in 2002, and the band did not do much for the next two years. Mötley Crüe made a comeback with Tommy Lee in 2004, and were once again successful. The band toured worldwide and released another greatest hits album called _Red, White and Crüe_. They also released an album of new songs in 2008 called _Saints of Los Angeles_.

### 2010s

The band disbanded after their planned last concert on December 31, 2015. However, they got back together in 2018.

## Albums

- _Too Fast for Love_ (1981)
- _Shout at the Devil_ (1983)
- _Theatre of Pain_ (1985)
- _Girls, Girls, Girls_ (1987)
- _Dr.Feelgood_ (1989)
- _Mötley Crüe_ (1994)
- _Generation Swine_ (1997)
- _New Tattoo_ (2000)
- _Saints of Los Angeles_ (2008)

## Infobox (musical artist)

- **name**: Mötley Crüe
- **img**: Crue CIMG4784.JPG
- **img capt**: Mötley Crüe from left to right: Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee, Mick Mars, and Vince Neil
- **landscape**: Yes
- **background**: group_or_band
- **origin**: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
- **years active**: 1981–present
- **label**: Mötley Records, Eleven Seven Music, Elektra Records, Elektra, Leathür Records, Warner Music Group
- **associated acts**: Sixx:A.M., Methods of Mayhem, 58 (band), 58, Rock Star Supernova, Brides of Destruction, Hole (band), Hole, Ozzy Osbourne, Sum 41, Buckcherry
- **current members**: Nikki Sixx
Mick Mars
Tommy Lee
Vince Neil
- **past members**: John Corabi
Randy Castillo
Greg Leon