Motley Crue

Mötley Crüe (pronounced as 'mott-ley crew') is an American heavy metal/Glam Metal band whose members include Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee, Mick Mars, and Vince Neil. more...

History

1980s

Mötley Crüe was formed in 1981, in Los Angeles, after bassist Nikki Sixx left the band London, which he and Lizzie Grey had started in 1979 after he was fired from Blackie Lawless' band Sister. London was also the first band for Guns N' Roses guitarists Izzy Stradlin and Slash, as well as Cinderella drummer Fred Coury.

Nikki asked London bandmate Greg Leon about musicians interested in joining a new band. Leon recommended the drummer Tommy Lee who was at the time in a band called Suite 19.

Nikki and Tommy met guitarist Mick Mars through a classified ad in an L.A. music newspaper reading "Loud, rude, aggressive guitarist available." When they first met Mick, Nikki's first reaction was, "I can't believe it! Here's another one like us!" Mick's equipment was quickly set up and shortly after, he was playing the opening riff to "Stick to Your Guns". Mars proceeded to, according to Tommy Lee, "play the shit out of his guitar." After getting drunk and jamming for an hour, Mick fired the band's guitarist, who was a musician known only as Robin (a "pansy" according to Lee).

It was Mick who came up with the band's name. While in his former band, White Horse, one of the band members walked in and called the group "a motley looking crew." Mick copied the name down on paper, with the original spelling Mottley cru. The name was later applied to the band he was to join in 1981 with Nikki and Tommy. However, there is much talk about the band floating the name "Christmas" before they settled on Motley Crue.

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