Do you remember when big hair ruled the world? Do you remember when rock stars wore red lipstick and leather pants? How about when songs by Warrant, Poison and Skid Row were heard on the radio? IF you do, then you remember the golden era of the big hair heavy metal of the 1980s. Which band was at the forefront of this movement? None other than our Artist of the Week- Motley Crue. Long before Robert Smith came into my life, Vince Neil, Nikki Sixx, Mick Mars and Tommy Lee were my family. With the recent death of Metal great Ronnie James Dio, I thought I’d pay tribute to my favorite metal band!
Although you might not be familiar with the band’s music, it is no doubt that you’ve heard of these bad boys’ exploits off the center stage! As we all know, Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson ushered in the age of the celebrity porn video. Vince Neil had a show on VH1, while Nikki Sixx was busy marrying two Playboy centerfolds, and is currently dating Miami and LA Ink star Kat Von D. Mick Mars isn’t really in the public eye, and he is the most private of the quartet.
Although Motley Crue has been known more for their drug abuse and partying lifestyle, their music still rocks! The Crue has been kicking ass since day one. Too Fast For Love was released in 1981 and included the metal classic, “Live Wire.” They followed that up with their smash hit album Shout at The Devil in 1983. When Theatre of Pain was released in 1985, the band was falling hard on fast drugs and faster women. This album included my all-time favorite track, “Home Sweet Home,” which was later murdered by Carrie Underwood.
“Girls, Girls, Girls” was when the band was at their best, yet at their worst. They were so into drugs that they couldn’t remember being on stage and touring. This album reflected their rock and roll lifestyle and nearly caused their break up. Songs like “Wildside,” “Girls, Girls, Girls,” and “Smokin’ In The Boys Room” were telling of the bands crazy lifestyle. One of their best songs was released on this album: “”You’re All I Need” was written after Sixx saw a news report of a man who killed his girlfriend. At the murder trial, the man said he killed her because he loved her too much. The lyrics are haunting, but the music video is also a visual masterpiece to go along with the lyrics. After going through rehab and vowing never to use drugs again, the band went into the recording studio and produced one of the most well-known metal albums of all-time!
Who says you can’t produce good quality rock & roll clean and sober? Dr. Feelgood was released in 1989 and is to date their best selling album and a defining album in Rock History. In fact, this was the second CD I ever purchased, and I played it night and day! This was also the last great album the band put out. Once Vince Neil left the band, it was never the same. They have since reunited, toured the country together and have released countless “Greatest Hits” albums.In fact, I think they have more Greatest Hits albums than they do regular albums.
If you love loud, heart-pounding metal, then listen to The Crue this week! They’ll take you down a downward spiral and make you wanna throw on your leather pants and wear lipstick and lace! Don’t worry though, you’ll look cool in my book! Rock On Tommy, Mick, Vince and Nikki! Long Live The Crue!
Top 5 Songs
2. Wildside
5. Live Wire
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