Old page wikitext, before the edit (old_wikitext) | '{{Short description|American heavy metal band}}
{{About||the band's 1994 album|Mötley Crüe (album)|the similarly-named Post Malone song|Motley Crew (song)|the 1950s and 1960s jazz and R&B band called Motley Crew|Frank Motley}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
| name = Mötley Crüe
| image = Mötley Crüe, Sweden Rock 2012.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Mötley Crüe performing live in 2012, from left to right: [[Vince Neil]], [[Nikki Sixx]] (background), [[Tommy Lee]] (foreground), [[Mick Mars]]
| landscape = yes
| background = group_or_band
| origin = [[Hollywood, California]], U.S.
| genre = {{flatlist|
* [[Heavy metal music|Heavy metal]]
* [[glam metal]]
* [[hard rock]]}}
| years_active = {{hlist|1981–2002|2004–2015|2018–present}}
| label = {{flatlist|
* [[Mötley Records|Mötley]]
* [[Beyond Music|Beyond]]
* [[Eleven Seven Music]]
* [[Elektra Records|Elektra]]
* [[Leathür Records|Leathür]]
* {{nowrap|[[Warner Music Group]]}}
}}
| website = {{Official URL}}
| current_members =
* [[Nikki Sixx]]
* [[Tommy Lee]]
* [[Vince Neil]]
* [[John 5 (guitarist)|John 5]]
| past_members =
* [[Greg Leon]]
* [[Mick Mars]]
* Michael White
* [[John Corabi]]
* [[Randy Castillo]]
}}
'''Mötley Crüe''' is an American [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]]<!--- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THIS WITHOUT CONSENSUS ON THE TALK PAGE.---> band formed in [[Hollywood, California]] <!--- IF YOU ARE CHANGING THIS DATE,---> in 1981<!--- YOU MUST HAVE A SOURCE CONSIDERED MORE RELIABLE THAN ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE --->.<ref name="MC AMG">{{cite web |last=Leahey |first=Andrew |title=Mötley Crüe Biography |publisher=[[AllMusic]]. [[All Media Guide]] ([[Rovi Corporation|Rovi]]) |access-date=April 16, 2014 |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=mötley-crüe-mn0000500992/biography|pure_url=yes}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/all-in-the-name-of-rock-and-roll-on-the-road-with-moetley-cruee-19870813 |title=All in the Name of Rock and Roll: On the Road with Mötley Crüe |last=Handelman |first=David |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=August 13, 1987 |access-date=December 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310154233/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/all-in-the-name-of-rock-and-roll-on-the-road-with-moetley-cruee-19870813 |archive-date=March 10, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="LA Times">{{cite web |last=D. Kennedy |first=Gerrick |title=Motley Crue calls it quits, announces 'final' tour |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=January 28, 2014 |access-date=April 16, 2014 |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-motley-crue-calls-it-quits-announces-final-tour-20140128,0,5738163.story#axzz2z3oZ93GX |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426043616/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-motley-crue-calls-it-quits-announces-final-tour-20140128,0,5738163.story#axzz2z3oZ93GX |archive-date=April 26, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}</ref> The group was founded by bassist [[Nikki Sixx]], drummer [[Tommy Lee]] and guitarist/lead vocalist [[Greg Leon]].<ref name="UCR">{{Cite web |last=Kielty |first=Martin |title=Introducing Motley Crue’s Early Mystery Man, Greg Leon |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-greg-leon/ |access-date=2023-02-13 |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Greg Leon interview">{{cite web |url=http://www.sleazeroxx.com/interviews/leon.shtml |title=Greg Leon interview |publisher=Sleaze Roxx |date=March 25, 2007 |access-date=October 15, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719085910/http://www.sleazeroxx.com/interviews/leon.shtml |archive-date=July 19, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Ozemail">{{cite web |url=http://members.l.com.au/~cruekiss/81.htm |title=Chronological Crüe |publisher=Members.ozemail.com.au |date=October 15, 2010}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> After some time, Leon was replaced by guitarist [[Mick Mars]] and lead vocalist Michael White respectively.<ref name="Notorious">''The Dirt: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band'', by Mötley Crüe and Neil Strauss (pp. 36–37), {{ISBN|0-06-098915-7}}</ref> The latter was soon replaced by [[Vince Neil]]. Mötley Crüe has sold over 100 million albums worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kshe95.com/media/ten-things/10-things-you-might-not-know-about-motley-crue |title=10 Things You Might Not Know About Mötley Crüe |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803170659/http://www.kshe95.com/media/ten-things/10-things-you-might-not-know-about-motley-crue |archive-date=August 3, 2017 |url-status=dead |access-date=July 19, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://loudwire.com/motley-crue-founded-anniversary/ |title=36 Years Ago: Nikki Sixx Forms Motley Crue |website=Loudwire.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628055425/http://loudwire.com/motley-crue-founded-anniversary/ |archive-date=June 28, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://loudwire.com/kids-mixed-reactions-motley-crue/ |title=Kids Have Mixed Reactions Reflecting on the Music of Motley Crue |website=Loudwire.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719135927/http://loudwire.com/kids-mixed-reactions-motley-crue/ |archive-date=July 19, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> They have also achieved seven platinum or multi-platinum certifications, nine Top 10 albums on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart (including 1989's ''[[Dr. Feelgood (album)|Dr. Feelgood]]'', which is Mötley Crüe's only album to reach number one), twenty-two Top 40 mainstream rock hits, and six Top 20 pop singles.<ref name="About Mötley Crüe">{{cite web |url=https://www.motley.com/about-motley-crue |title=About Mötley Crüe |website=Mötley Crüe |language=en-US |access-date=2019-06-08 |archive-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608115030/https://www.motley.com/about-motley-crue |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Mötley Crüe Chart History |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/motley-crue/chart-history/tlp/ |magazine=Billboard.com |access-date=June 3, 2019 |archive-date=April 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423155538/https://www.billboard.com/music/Motley-Crue/chart-history/billboard-200 |url-status=live}}</ref> The band has experienced several lineup changes over the years, leaving Sixx as the only constant member; these included the introduction of lead vocalist [[John Corabi]] (who was Neil's replacement from 1992 to 1996) and drummers [[Randy Castillo]] and [[Samantha Maloney]], both of whom filled in for Lee following his departure from Mötley Crüe in 1999; he returned to the band in 2004. In October 2022, after 41 years of service, Mars announced his retirement from touring with the band, with former [[Marilyn Manson (band)|Marilyn Manson]] and [[Rob Zombie]] guitarist [[John 5 (guitarist)|John 5]] replacing him.
The members of Mötley Crüe have often been noted for their [[Hedonism|hedonistic]] lifestyles and the [[androgynous]] personae they maintained. Following the hard rock and heavy metal origins on the band's first two albums, ''[[Too Fast for Love]]'' (1981) and ''[[Shout at the Devil]]'' (1983), the release of its third album ''[[Theatre of Pain]]'' (1985) saw Mötley Crüe joining [[Glam metal#First wave (1981–1986)|the first wave of glam metal]].<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MBEZBL7Dr7YC&pg=PA40 |pages=40–1 |last=Harrison |first=Thomas |title=Music of the 1980s |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2011 |isbn=9780313366000 |access-date=January 8, 2015 |archive-date=May 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150517162823/https://books.google.com/books?id=MBEZBL7Dr7YC&pg=PA40 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/style/pop-metal-ma0000002785 |title=Pop-Metal |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=May 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531001552/http://www.allmusic.com/style/pop-metal-ma0000002785 |archive-date=May 31, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}</ref> The band has also been known for their elaborate live performances, which feature flame thrower guitars, roller coaster drum kits, and heavy use of pyrotechnics (fireworks) (including lighting Sixx on fire).<ref name="About Mötley Crüe"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Way |first=Nicole |title=Motley Crue Rockumentary 1990 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuxlJfbIVmM |website=YouTube |access-date=November 13, 2020 |archive-date=December 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207094000/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuxlJfbIVmM |url-status=live}}</ref> Mötley Crüe's last studio album, ''[[Saints of Los Angeles]]'', was released on June 24, 2008. What was planned to be the band's final show took place on New Year's Eve, December 31, 2015. The concert was filmed for a theatrical and [[Blu-ray]] release in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.motley.com/news/ |title=Mötley Crüe's Final Tour |publisher=Motley.com |access-date=October 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012154745/http://www.motley.com/news/ |archive-date=October 12, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Nikki Sixx Officially Announces The End of Motley Crue |url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/nikki_sixx_officially_announces_the_end_of_motley_crue.html |publisher=Ultimate Guitar |access-date=March 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315210544/http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/nikki_sixx_officially_announces_the_end_of_motley_crue.html |archive-date=March 15, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>
After two-and-a-half years of inactivity, Neil announced in September 2018 that Mötley Crüe had reunited and was working on new material.<ref name="blabbermouth neil">{{cite news |title=MÖTLEY CRÜE Is Recording Four New Songs, Says VINCE NEIL |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/motley-crue-is-recording-four-new-songs-says-vince-neil/ |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=September 13, 2018 |access-date=September 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913210823/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/motley-crue-is-recording-four-new-songs-says-vince-neil/ |archive-date=September 13, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="blabbermouth sixx">{{cite news |title=NIKKI SIXX Confirms New MÖTLEY CRÜE Music Is Being Recorded For 'The Dirt' Movie, Says Songs Are 'Ball-Busters' |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/nikki-sixx-confirms-new-motley-crue-music-is-being-recorded-for-the-dirt-movie-says-songs-are-ball-busters/ |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=September 14, 2018 |access-date=September 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914194758/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/nikki-sixx-confirms-new-motley-crue-music-is-being-recorded-for-the-dirt-movie-says-songs-are-ball-busters/ |archive-date=September 14, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> On March 22, 2019, the band released four new songs on the [[The Dirt Soundtrack|soundtrack]] for its [[Netflix]] biopic ''[[The Dirt (film)|The Dirt]]'', based on the band's ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' best-selling [[The Dirt|autobiography of the same name]]. The soundtrack went to number one on the [[iTunes]] All Genres Album Chart,<ref name="Headline Planet">{{cite news |last1=Cantor |first1=Brian |title=Motley Crue's "The Dirt" Soundtrack Earns #1 On US iTunes Sales Chart; Jenny Lewis, Dean Lewis Top 3 |url=https://headlineplanet.com/home/2019/03/22/motley-crues-the-dirt-soundtrack-earns-1-on-us-itunes-sales-chart-jenny-lewis-dean-lewis-top-3/ |access-date=8 April 2019 |work=Headline Planet |date=March 23, 2019 |archive-date=March 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323201457/https://headlineplanet.com/home/2019/03/22/motley-crues-the-dirt-soundtrack-earns-1-on-us-itunes-sales-chart-jenny-lewis-dean-lewis-top-3/ |url-status=live}}</ref> number 3 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' Top Album and Digital Album sales charts,<ref name="BB2">{{cite magazine |title=The Dirt (Soundtrack) |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/motley-crue/chart-history/digital-albums/song/1128072 |access-date=23 April 2019 |magazine=Billboard |date=April 6, 2019 |archive-date=May 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517014355/https://www.billboard.com/music/motley-crue/chart-history/digital-albums/song/1128072 |url-status=dead}}</ref> number 10 on the ''Billboard'' 200, and Top 10 worldwide.<ref name="Deadline">{{cite news |last1=Fleming |first1=Mike Jr. |title=Netflix Mötley Crüe Film 'The Dirt' Pumps Up Band's Music Sales |url=https://deadline.com/2019/03/netflix-motley-crue-film-the-dirt-pumps-up-music-sales-1202584854/ |access-date=23 April 2019 |work=Deadline |date=March 28, 2019 |archive-date=April 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402030713/https://deadline.com/2019/03/netflix-motley-crue-film-the-dirt-pumps-up-music-sales-1202584854/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The autobiography returned to [[the New York Times Best Seller list|''New York Times'' Best Seller list]] at number 6 on Nonfiction Print and number 8 on Nonfiction Combined Print & E-Book.<ref name="iheart">{{cite news |last1=Magnotta |first1=Andrew |title=Mötley Crüe's 'The Dirt' Book Is Back On 'NY Times Best Sellers' List |url=https://www.iheart.com/content/2019-04-04-mtley-cres-the-dirt-book-is-back-on-ny-times-best-sellers-list/ |access-date=23 April 2019 |work=iheart.com |date=April 4, 2019 |archive-date=April 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423021349/https://www.iheart.com/content/2019-04-04-mtley-cres-the-dirt-book-is-back-on-ny-times-best-sellers-list/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Mötley Crüe embarked on its [[The Stadium Tour|first major tour in seven years]] in the summer and fall of 2022, co-headlining a North American tour with [[Def Leppard]].<ref name="2022 tour">{{cite web |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/motley-crues-the-stadium-tour-def-leppard-and-poison-officially-postponed-until-2022/ |title=MÖTLEY CRÜE's 'The Stadium' Tour With DEF LEPPARD And POISON Officially Postponed Until 2022 |work=Blabbermouth |date=May 14, 2021}}</ref>
==History==
===1981–1983: Early history and ''Too Fast for Love''===
Mötley Crüe was formed on January 17, 1981, when bassist [[Nikki Sixx]] left the band [[London (heavy metal band)|London]] and began rehearsing with drummer [[Tommy Lee]] and guitarist/lead vocalist [[Greg Leon]].<ref name="Ozemail" /> Lee had previously worked with Leon in a band called Suite 19<ref name="Greg Leon interview" /> and the trio practiced together for some time; Leon eventually decided not to continue with them. Sixx and Lee then began a search for new members and soon met guitarists Robin Moore (Jeff Gill)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.answers.com/Q/How_was_Jeff_Gill_related_to_the_band_Motley_Crue_I_was_told_he_played_or_helped_form_or_was_manager_of_the_band_in_the_beginning_years |title=How was Jeff Gill related to the band Motley Crue I was told he played or helped form or was manager of the band in the beginning years? |website=[[Answers.com]] |access-date=January 18, 2021 |archive-date=November 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106135858/http://www.answers.com/Q/How_was_Jeff_Gill_related_to_the_band_Motley_Crue_I_was_told_he_played_or_helped_form_or_was_manager_of_the_band_in_the_beginning_years |url-status=live}}</ref> and Bob Deal, better known as [[Mick Mars]], after answering an advertisement that he placed in ''[[The Recycler]]'' that read: "Loud, rude and aggressive guitar player available". Mars auditioned for Sixx, Moore and Lee, and was subsequently hired while Moore was fired at the same session according to the band's biography ''The Dirt''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wake |first1=Matt |title=10 Rock Classifieds That Changed Music History |url=https://www.laweekly.com/10-rock-classifieds-that-changed-music-history/ |website=L.A. Weekly |date=February 24, 2015 |access-date=3 January 2020 |archive-date=January 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103193534/https://www.laweekly.com/10-rock-classifieds-that-changed-music-history/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
Although a lead vocalist named O'Dean was auditioned,<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://loudwire.com/motley-crue-too-fast-for-love-anniversary/ |title=37 Years Ago: Mötley Crüe Release ''Too Fast for Love'' |first=Joe |last=Divita |magazine=[[Loudwire]] |date=November 10, 2018 |access-date=March 25, 2019 |archive-date=March 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325101249/https://loudwire.com/motley-crue-too-fast-for-love-anniversary/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G3Bb4LYafKsC&q=%22O%27Dean%22+motley+crue&pg=PA380 |page=380 |first=Cesare |last=Rizzi |title=Enciclopedia della musica rock. 3. 1981–1989, Volume 3 |isbn=88-09-01796-X |publisher=Giunti Editore Firenze Italy |year=2000 |language=it |access-date=November 18, 2020 |archive-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202225656/https://books.google.com/books?id=G3Bb4LYafKsC&q=%22O%27Dean%22+motley+crue&pg=PA380 |url-status=live}}</ref> Lee had known [[Vince Neil]] from their high school days at [[Charter Oak High School]] in [[Covina, California]],<ref>{{cite news |title=It's not end of the line for Vince Neil |url=https://www.heraldpalladium.com/features/it-s-not-end-of-the-line-for-vince-neil/article_c10fbf58-860f-54d5-ba44-c54446595a12.html |newspaper=The Herald Palladium |access-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617170228/https://www.heraldpalladium.com/features/it-s-not-end-of-the-line-for-vince-neil/article_c10fbf58-860f-54d5-ba44-c54446595a12.html |url-status=live}}</ref> and the two had performed in different bands on the [[garage band]] circuit. Upon seeing him perform with the band Rock Candy at the Starwood in Hollywood, California, Lee suggested they have Neil join the band. At first Neil refused the offer.
On the same day as Mars, lead vocalist Michael White, who previously played with [[Nikki Sixx]] in the band London, joined the band.<ref name="Notorious" /> But White eventually ended up leaving too.
As the other members of Rock Candy became involved in outside projects, Vince Neil grew anxious to try something else.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mötley Crüe's Vince Neil |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/621038/mtley-cres-vince-neil/ |website=MTV |access-date=3 January 2020 |archive-date=January 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103194808/http://www.mtv.com/news/621038/mtley-cres-vince-neil/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Lee asked again; Neil was hired on April 1, 1981, and the band played its first gig at the Starwood nightclub on April 24.<ref>{{cite web |title=On the Eve of Mötley Crüe's Final Shows, a Look Back at Their Very First Gig |url=https://www.laweekly.com/on-the-eve-of-mtley-cres-final-shows-a-look-back-at-their-very-first-gig/ |website=LA Weekly |date=December 30, 2015 |access-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617132120/https://www.laweekly.com/on-the-eve-of-mtley-cres-final-shows-a-look-back-at-their-very-first-gig/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
{{Quote box
| quote = I wanted a band that would be like [[David Bowie]] and the [[Sex Pistols]] thrown in a blender with [[Black Sabbath]].
| source = —Nikki Sixx<ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.latimes.com/1997-06-22/entertainment/ca-5662_1_motley-crue-bracelets/2 |title=It's Not a Reunion |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=June 22, 1997 |access-date=December 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221030433/http://articles.latimes.com/1997-06-22/entertainment/ca-5662_1_motley-crue-bracelets/2 |archive-date=December 21, 2016 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}</ref>
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The newly formed band did not yet have a name. Sixx has said that he told his bandmates that he was "thinking about calling the band "Christmas". The other members were not very receptive to that idea. Then, while trying to find a suitable name, Mars remembered an incident that occurred when he was playing with a band called White Horse, when one of the other band members called the group "a motley looking crew". He had remembered the phrase and later copied it down as 'Mottley Cru'. After modifying the spelling slightly, "Mötley Crüe" was eventually selected as the band's name, with the stylistic decision suggested by Neil to add the two sets of [[metal umlaut]]s, supposedly inspired by the German beer [[Löwenbräu]], which the members were drinking at the time.<ref>{{cite web |title=38 Years Ago: Nikki Sixx Forms Motley Crue |url=https://loudwire.com/motley-crue-founded-anniversary/ |website=Loudwire.com |access-date=November 18, 2019 |archive-date=November 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111070449/https://loudwire.com/motley-crue-founded-anniversary/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Other than the periods of February 1992 to September 1996 and of March 1999 to September 2004, the lineup of Neil, Sixx, Lee, and Mars remained the same.<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue Lineup Changes: A Complete Guide |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-lineup-changes/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617132312/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-lineup-changes/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
The band soon met its first manager, Allan Coffman, the thirty-eight-year-old brother-in-law of a friend of Mars's driver.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://members.ozemail.com.au/~cruekiss/81.htm |title=Chronological Crue |publisher=Members.ozemail.com.au |access-date=October 15, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101019034117/http://members.ozemail.com.au/~cruekiss/81.htm |archive-date=October 19, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The band's first release was the single "Stick to Your Guns/Toast of the Town", which was released on its own record label, [[Leathür Records]], which had a pressing and distribution deal with Greenworld Distribution in [[Torrance, California]]. On November 10, 1981, its debut album ''[[Too Fast for Love]]'' was self-produced and released on Leathür, selling 20,000 copies. Coffman's assistant [[Eric Greif]] set up a tour of Canada,<ref>[http://members.ozemail.com.au/~cruekiss/82.htm ''1982'', Chronological Crue] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090915223349/http://members.ozemail.com.au/~cruekiss/82.htm |date=September 15, 2009}} . Retrieved October 2, 2009.</ref> while Coffman and Greif used Mötley Crüe's success in the Los Angeles club scene to negotiate with several record labels, eventually signing a recording contract with [[Elektra Records]] in early 1982. The debut album was then re-mixed by producer [[Roy Thomas Baker]] and re-released on August 20, 1982—two months after its Canadian [[Warner Music Group]] release using the original Leathür mixes—to coincide with the tour.<ref>{{cite web |title=How Motley Crue Kickstarted Hair Metal on 'Too Fast for Love' |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-too-fast-for-love/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617125254/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-too-fast-for-love/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
{{Quote box
| quote = Listening to [[Queen (band)|Queen]] inspired Mötley Crüe to work with Roy Thomas Baker on ''[[Too Fast for Love]]''. He would come in, "Hello Darlings ..." and listen for maybe thirty minutes or so and leave. And we're like, "What?! Where's he going?". But he produced Queen, so, man, we had to have him produce us, too.
| source = —Tommy Lee<ref>Phil Sutcliffe, Peter Hince, Reinhold Mack. ''Queen: The Ultimate Illustrated History of the Crown Kings of Rock''. p. 27. Voyageur Press, 2009.</ref>
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During the "Crüesing Through Canada Tour '82", there were several widely publicized incidents. First, the band was arrested and then released at [[Edmonton International Airport]] for wearing their spiked stage wardrobe (considered "dangerous weapons") through customs, and for Neil arriving with a small carry-on filled with porn magazines (considered "indecent material"); both were staged [[Public relations|PR]] stunts. Customs eventually had the confiscated items destroyed. Second, while playing Scandals Disco in [[Edmonton]], a spurious "bomb threat" against the band made the front page of the ''[[Edmonton Journal]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/info/library.html |title=Edmonton Journal Library |publisher=Canada.com |access-date=October 15, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100301085948/http://www2.canada.com/edmontonjournal/info/library.html |archive-date=March 1, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> on June 9, 1982; Lee and assistant band manager Greif were interviewed by police as a result. This too ended up being a staged PR stunt perpetrated by Greif. Lastly, Lee threw a television set from an upper story window of the Sheraton Caravan Hotel. Canadian rock magazine ''Music Express'' noted that the band was "banned for life" from the city.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Patch |first1=Nick |title=Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx describes being kicked out of Canada in the '80s |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/motley-crue-s-nikki-sixx-describes-being-kicked-out-of-canada-in-the-80s-1.2202166 |website=CTV News |date=January 23, 2015 |access-date=3 January 2020 |archive-date=January 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103194246/https://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/motley-crue-s-nikki-sixx-describes-being-kicked-out-of-canada-in-the-80s-1.2202166 |url-status=live}}</ref> Despite the tour ending prematurely in financial disaster, it was the basis for the band's first international press.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sleazeroxx.com/interviews/greif.shtml |title=Eric Greif Interview |publisher=Sleaze Roxx |date=April 28, 2007 |access-date=October 15, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929001925/http://www.sleazeroxx.com/interviews/greif.shtml |archive-date=September 29, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 1983, the band changed management from Coffman to Doug Thaler and [[Doc McGhee]]. McGhee is best known for managing [[Bon Jovi]] and later [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]], starting with their [[Alive/Worldwide Tour|reunion tour]] in 1996. Greif subsequently sued all parties in a Los Angeles Superior Court action that dragged on for several years, and coincidentally later re-surfaced as manager of Sixx's former band, [[London (heavy metal band)|London]]. Coffman himself was sued by several investors to whom he had sold "stock in the band", including [[Michigan]]-based Bill Larson. Coffman eventually declared bankruptcy, as he had mortgaged his home at least three times to cover band expenses.<ref>{{cite web |title=Views - Too Fast Perspective |url=http://members.ozemail.com.au/~cruekiss/exclusive.htm |website=Chronological Crue |access-date=29 December 2019 |archive-date=September 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922035214/http://members.ozemail.com.au/~cruekiss/exclusive.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>
===1983–1991: International fame and addiction struggles===
"Too Fast For Love", the title track from the band's debut album, was reportedly recorded over a span of three days while the band members were under the [[influence of alcohol]]. The band became rapidly successful in the United States after playing at the [[US Festival]] on May 29, 1983,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Edwards |first1=Gavin |title=Flashback: Motley Crue Rocks the US Festival in 1983 |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/news/flashback-motley-crue-rocks-us-festival-1983-191800424-rolling-stone.html |website=Yahoo! Entertainment |access-date=22 June 2020 |archive-date=June 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625042808/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/news/flashback-motley-crue-rocks-us-festival-1983-191800424-rolling-stone.html |url-status=live}}</ref> and also with the aid of the new medium of [[MTV]]. Their second album, ''[[Shout at the Devil]]'', was released on September 26, 1983.<ref>{{cite web |title=Shout at the Devil - Mötley Crüe |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/shout-at-the-devil-mw0000190978 |website=Allmusic |access-date=June 20, 2019 |archive-date=July 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704052331/https://www.allmusic.com/album/shout-at-the-devil-mw0000190978 |url-status=live}}</ref> The album represented the band's mainstream breakthrough and would eventually be certified 4× platinum.<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue |url=http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Generation%20Swine&artist=Motley%20Crue&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924153013/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Generation%20Swine&artist=Motley%20Crue&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2015-09-24 |website=Recording Industry Association of America}}</ref> The album generated controversy for its [[Shout at the Devil (song)|title track]] and album imagery, both of which invoked [[Satanism]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Motley Crue farewell tour: Nikki Sixx shares stories behind the songs |url=https://ew.com/article/2015/12/22/motley-crue-nikki-sixx-stories-behind-songs/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=3 January 2020 |archive-date=January 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103172214/https://ew.com/article/2015/12/22/motley-crue-nikki-sixx-stories-behind-songs/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=How Motley Crue Staked Their Claim With 'Shout at the Devil' |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/30-years-ago-motley-crues-shout-at-the-devil-released/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=3 January 2020 |archive-date=March 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328005242/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/30-years-ago-motley-crues-shout-at-the-devil-released/ |url-status=live}}</ref> They then gained the attention of then-former [[Black Sabbath]] singer [[Ozzy Osbourne]] and found themselves opening for Osbourne on his 1984 [[Bark at the Moon Tour|tour]] for ''[[Bark at the Moon]]''. The band members were well known for their backstage antics, outrageous clothing, extreme high-heeled boots, heavily applied make-up, and seemingly endless abuse of alcohol and drugs.<ref>{{cite web |title=35 Years Ago: Ozzy Osbourne and Motley Crue Start Debauched Tour |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/ozzy-osbourne-motley-crue-1984-tour/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=June 20, 2019 |archive-date=June 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620141256/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/ozzy-osbourne-motley-crue-1984-tour/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
The band members also had their share of run ins with the law. On December 8, 1984, Neil was driving home from a liquor run in his [[De Tomaso Pantera]] which ended in a head-on collision; his passenger, [[Hanoi Rocks]] drummer [[Razzle (musician)|Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley]], was killed.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Day Hanoi Rocks Drummer Razzle Was Killed in a Car Crash |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/razzle-hanoi-rocks-killed/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617164456/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/razzle-hanoi-rocks-killed/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Neil, charged with a [[Driving under the influence|DUI]] and [[Manslaughter#Vehicular or intoxication manslaughter|vehicular manslaughter]], was sentenced to 30 days in jail (although he served only 18 days) and subsequently was sued for $2,500,000. The short jail term was negotiated by his lawyers, enabling Neil to tour and pay the civil suit.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rock 'n' Roller's Song Sobered by Fatal Crash |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-07-21-cb-7225-story.html |newspaper=LA Times |date=July 21, 1985 |access-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617164454/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-07-21-cb-7225-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
The band's third album ''[[Theatre of Pain]]'' was released on June 21, 1985 and dedicated in Dingley's honor, and it started a new [[glam metal]] phase in the band's style.<ref>Harrison 2011, p. 40.</ref> ''Theatre of Pain'' was commercially successful, reaching number 6 on the Billboard album charts<ref>{{cite web |title=Artist Chart History - Motley Crue |url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/312021/m-tley-cr-e/chart?page=1&f=305 |website=Official Charts |access-date=9 December 2019 |archive-date=May 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504163253/https://www.billboard.com/artist/312021/m-tley-cr-e/chart?page=1&f=305 |url-status=live}}</ref> and eventually being certified quadruple platinum.<ref>{{cite web |title=RIAA Searchable Database: search for Motley Crue |url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Generation%20Swine&artist=Motley%20Crue&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |website=RIAA |access-date=9 December 2019 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924153013/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Generation%20Swine&artist=Motley%20Crue&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |url-status=live}}</ref> However, the recording of the album was fraught with tension in the wake of Neil's accident and Sixx's growing addiction,<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue's 'Theatre of Pain' at 30: Classic Track-by-Track |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/6605561/motley-crues-theatre-of-pain-30-anniversary |website=Billboard.com |access-date=12 December 2019 |archive-date=August 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802183151/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/6605561/motley-crues-theatre-of-pain-30-anniversary |url-status=live}}</ref> and members of the band have said that they consider it a creative disappointment.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vaziri |first1=Aidin |title=Mötley Crüe's Vince Neil reflects on 30-year run |url=https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Motley-Crue-s-Vince-Neil-reflects-on-30-year-run-2368449.php |website=SF Gate |date=June 12, 2011 |access-date=12 December 2019 |archive-date=December 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212130201/https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Motley-Crue-s-Vince-Neil-reflects-on-30-year-run-2368449.php |url-status=live}}</ref>
Mötley Crüe spent most of the next year on a [[Theatre of Pain Tour|world tour]] in support of ''Theatre of Pain''. In February 1986 in [[London]], [[England]] Sixx suffered a near-fatal heroin overdose, and the person who sold him the drugs dumped his unconscious body in a [[dumpster]]. The incident inspired Sixx to write the song "Dancing on Glass" for their next album.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Greatest 80s Song Inspired By An Overdose And A Rock Star Left For Dead |url=https://culturacolectiva.com/music/nikki-sixx-motley-crue-dancing-on-glass |website=Culture Collectiva |date=September 15, 2017 |access-date=29 December 2019 |archive-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202225655/https://culturacolectiva.com/music/nikki-sixx-motley-crue-dancing-on-glass |url-status=live}}</ref>
The band's fourth album, ''[[Girls, Girls, Girls (Mötley Crüe album)|Girls, Girls, Girls]]'', was released on May 15, 1987 and debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200.<ref>{{cite web |title=Girls, Girls, Girls - Mötley Crüe |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/girls-girls-girls-mw0000194959 |website=Allmusic |access-date=June 20, 2019 |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626224624/https://www.allmusic.com/album/girls-girls-girls-mw0000194959 |url-status=live}}</ref> Sixx has said in interviews that he believes the album would have debuted at number 1 if not for behind the scenes maneuvering by [[Whitney Houston]]'s record label.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nikki Sixx Isn't So Sure Whitney Houston Fairly Beat Mötley Crüe for a Number 1 Album |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7890233/motley-crue-girls-girls-girls-album-anniversary-nikki-sixx |website=Billboard.com |access-date=June 20, 2019 |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626224623/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7890233/motley-crue-girls-girls-girls-album-anniversary-nikki-sixx |url-status=live}}</ref> The band again changed their look for the album and subsequent tour, trading the glam elements of the previous album for a [[Outlaw motorcycle club|biker]] aesthetic.<ref>{{cite web |title=Revisiting Motley Crue's Game-Changing 'Girls, Girls, Girls' |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-girls-girls-girls-25th-anniversary/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=16 December 2019 |archive-date=December 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216162551/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-girls-girls-girls-25th-anniversary/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The band faced many of the same personal issues that plagued the recording of ''Theatre of Pain'' and Sixx has complained that those issues compromised the album's quality,<ref>{{cite web |title=32 Years Ago: Motley Crue Release 'Girls, Girls, Girls' |url=https://loudwire.com/motley-crue-release-girls-girls-girls-anniversary/ |website=Loudwire |access-date=16 December 2019 |archive-date=October 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019034026/https://loudwire.com/motley-crue-release-girls-girls-girls-anniversary/ |url-status=live}}</ref> although he has spoken more positively about the record in subsequent years.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Nikki Sixx on Motley Crue's 'Girls, Girls, Girls' at 30 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/motley-crue-on-girls-girls-girls-at-30-it-was-like-caligula-121895/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=August 24, 2017 |access-date=16 December 2019 |archive-date=September 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929102840/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/motley-crue-on-girls-girls-girls-at-30-it-was-like-caligula-121895/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
On December 23, 1987, Sixx suffered a heroin overdose. He was declared clinically dead on the way to the hospital, but the paramedic, who was a Crüe fan, [[cardiopulmonary resuscitation|revived]] Sixx with two shots of adrenaline.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mötley Crüe and the Real Story of Nikki Sixx's Overdose: Going Beyond 'The Dirt' |url=https://www.newsweek.com/motley-crue-nikki-sixx-overdose-dirt-1368786 |website=Newsweek |date=March 22, 2019 |access-date=June 20, 2019 |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626224639/https://www.newsweek.com/motley-crue-nikki-sixx-overdose-dirt-1368786 |url-status=live}}</ref> His two minutes in death were the inspiration for the song "[[Kickstart My Heart]]", which peaked at No. 16 on the Mainstream U.S. chart, and which was featured on 1989's ''[[Dr. Feelgood (album)|Dr. Feelgood]]'', their first U.S. number one album. From 1986 to 1987, Sixx kept a daily diary of his heroin addiction and eventually entered rehab in January 1988.
In 1988, controversy again hit the band in the form of a lawsuit by Matthew Trippe. Trippe claimed that Sixx was hospitalized in 1983 after a car crash involving drugs and that he had been hired as Sixx's [[doppelgänger]]. The suit was regarding the loss of royalties from his time in Mötley Crüe and the case was not closed until 1993 when Trippe dropped his charges and disappeared from public view.<ref name="weebly1988">{{cite web |url=http://klassickerranginterviews.weebly.com/matthew-trippe---may-1988.html |title=Matthew Trippe – May 1988 – Klassic Kerrang Interviews |publisher=Klassickerranginterviews.weebly.com |date=December 10, 1993 |access-date=February 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130108161123/http://klassickerranginterviews.weebly.com/matthew-trippe---may-1988.html |archive-date=January 8, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
Their decadent lifestyles almost shattered the band until managers Thaler and McGhee pulled an intervention and refused to allow the band to tour in Europe, fearing that "some [of them] would come back in bodybags".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Whalen |first1=Andrew |title=Mötley Crüe and the Real Story of Nikki Sixx's Overdose: Going Beyond 'The Dirt' |url=https://www.newsweek.com/motley-crue-nikki-sixx-overdose-dirt-1368786 |website=Newsweek |date=March 22, 2019 |access-date=15 December 2019 |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626224639/https://www.newsweek.com/motley-crue-nikki-sixx-overdose-dirt-1368786 |url-status=live}}</ref> Shortly after, all the band members jointly entered [[drug rehabilitation]] in an effort to move forward as a band.<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue Remembers 'Dr. Feelgood' on Its 30th Anniversary |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8530014/motley-crue-dr-feelgood-anniversary-30-years |website=Billboard.com |access-date=15 December 2019 |archive-date=December 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216005921/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8530014/motley-crue-dr-feelgood-anniversary-30-years |url-status=live}}</ref>
After finding sobriety, Mötley Crüe reached its peak popularity with the release of their fifth album, the [[Bob Rock]]-produced ''[[Dr. Feelgood (album)|Dr. Feelgood]]'', on September 1, 1989. Rock and the band recorded the album in [[Vancouver]], with the band members recording their parts separately for the first time to reduce infighting and to focus on individual performance. [[Aerosmith]] lead singer [[Steven Tyler]], who was recording the album ''[[Pump (album)|Pump]]'' at the same studio, provided backing vocals.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Basner |first1=Dave |title=20 Things You Might Not Know About Motley Crue's 'Dr. Feelgood' |url=https://www.iheart.com/content/20-things-you-might-not-know-about-motley-crues-dr-feelgood-2017-08-30/ |website=iHeartRadio |access-date=29 December 2019 |archive-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202225657/https://www.iheart.com/content/20-things-you-might-not-know-about-motley-crues-dr-feelgood-2017-08-30/ |url-status=live}}</ref> On October 14 of that year, it became a No. 1 album and stayed on the charts for 114 weeks after its release.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nikki Sixx Biography|url=http://www.biography.com/people/nikki-sixx-20854163|website=Biography.com|access-date=January 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208191631/http://www.biography.com/people/nikki-sixx-20854163|archive-date=February 8, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The band members each stated in interviews that, due in no small part to their collective push for sobriety, ''Dr. Feelgood'' was their most solid album musically to that point.<ref>{{cite web |title=10 Facts You May Not Have Known About Motley Crue's 'Dr. Feelgood' |url=https://loudwire.com/facts-about-motley-crue-dr-feelgood/ |website=Loudwire |access-date=29 December 2019 |archive-date=December 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220035604/https://loudwire.com/facts-about-motley-crue-dr-feelgood/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The title track and "Kickstart My Heart" were both nominated for Grammys in the Best Hard Rock Category in 1990 and 1991, respectively, but lost both years to songs by [[Living Colour]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/grammy/hardrock.htm |title=Grammy Awards: Best Hard Rock Performance |publisher=Rock on the Net |access-date=June 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312094206/http://www.rockonthenet.com/grammy/hardrock.htm |archive-date=March 12, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> The band did find some success at the [[American Music Award]]s, as ''Dr. Feelgood'' was nominated twice for Favorite Hard Rock/Metal Award, losing once to [[Guns N' Roses]]' ''[[Appetite for Destruction]]'', but winning the following year, beating out [[Aerosmith]]'s ''[[Pump (album)|Pump]]'' and [[Poison (American band)|Poison]]'s ''[[Flesh & Blood (Poison album)|Flesh & Blood]]''. Mötley Crüe was also nominated twice for Favorite Hard Rock/Metal Artist.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/amas/metal.htm |title=American Music Awards: Favorite Heavy Metal / Hard Rock Artist |publisher=Rock on the Net |access-date=June 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100726012225/http://www.rockonthenet.com/amas/metal.htm |archive-date=July 26, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 1989, McGhee was fired after the band alleged he had broken several promises that he made in relation to the [[Moscow Music Peace Festival]], including giving his other band, [[Bon Jovi]], advantages in terms of slot placement. Thaler then assumed the role of sole band manager.<ref>{{cite web |title=That Time Western Rockers Played the Moscow Music Peace Festival |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/moscow-music-peace-festival/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=June 21, 2019 |archive-date=June 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621114933/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/moscow-music-peace-festival/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
The band spent the fall of 1989 and most of 1990 on a massive world tour, the band's biggest to that point. It was a major financial success but left the band feeling burnt out.<ref>{{cite web |title=How Motley Crue Hit a New Peak With 'Dr. Feelgood' |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-dr-feelgood/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=3 January 2020 |archive-date=March 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329144907/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-dr-feelgood/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In April 1990, Lee suffered a concussion during a mishap involving a rappelling drum kit stunt during a live concert in [[New Haven, Connecticut]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue Drummer Injured During Concert |url=https://www.apnews.com/e06e3e42abb126a5f147b7109ad97de5 |website=Associated Press |access-date=June 20, 2019 |archive-date=June 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620183943/https://www.apnews.com/e06e3e42abb126a5f147b7109ad97de5 |url-status=live}}</ref>
On October 1, 1991, the band's first compilation album, ''[[Decade of Decadence 81-91]]'', was released. It peaked at No. 2 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] album chart. It was reportedly designed as "just something for the fans" while the band worked on the next "all new" album.<ref>{{cite web |title=Decade of Decadence - Motley Crue |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/decade-of-decadence-mw0000265080/releases |website=Allmusic |access-date=June 15, 2019 |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626224632/https://www.allmusic.com/album/decade-of-decadence-mw0000265080/releases |url-status=live}}</ref>
===1992–2003: Years of turmoil===
Vince Neil left the band in February 1992 following the release of ''Decade of Decadence'', during a period in which most other prominent [[glam metal]] bands of the 1980s were breaking up or otherwise seeing their popularity decline significantly amid the advent of [[grunge]] and [[Alternative rock|alternative]] music. It remains unclear whether Neil was fired or quit the band. Sixx has long maintained that Neil quit, while Neil insists that he was fired. "Any band has its little spats," Neil observed in 2000, "and this one basically just stemmed from a bunch of 'fuck yous' in a rehearsal studio. It went from 'I quit' to 'You're fired' ... It was handled idiotically. The management just let one of the biggest bands in the world break up."<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Dave |last=Ling |title=We are lüdicröus! |magazine=[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]] #12 |date=March 2000 |page=48}}</ref>
In the running for the vacant frontman position was [[Kik Tracee]] vocalist [[Stephen Shareaux]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.latimes.com/1992-03-01/entertainment/ca-5376_1_motley-crue |title=Vince Neil Goes Away From Motley Crue—Mad |last=Hochman |first=Steve |date=March 1, 1992 |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=May 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512233828/http://articles.latimes.com/1992-03-01/entertainment/ca-5376_1_motley-crue |archive-date=May 12, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://musiclegends.ca/stephen-shareaux-interview/ |title=Stephen Shareaux Interview {{!}} KIK TRACEE frontman {{!}} June 2017 |date=June 22, 2017 |work=Music Legends Online |access-date=May 21, 2018 |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522041823/https://musiclegends.ca/stephen-shareaux-interview/ |archive-date=May 22, 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Ultimately Neil was replaced by [[John Corabi]] (formerly of [[Angora (band)|Angora]] and [[The Scream (band)|the Scream]]). Although Mötley's [[Mötley Crüe (album)|self-titled]] March 1994 release made the ''Billboard'' top ten (#7), the album was a commercial failure. It also prompted negative reactions from many fans due to Neil's absence and its sound. Corabi suggested the band bring back Neil, believing the latter would always be seen as the voice of the band. This eventually resulted in his own firing in 1996.<ref>{{cite web |title=What John Corabi Learned From Being Fired by Motley Crue |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/john-corabi-fired-motley-crue/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616175554/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/john-corabi-fired-motley-crue/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Corabi spoke about his time with the band and his thoughts on the first record with Mötley Crüe. Corabi said: "my record was the first record that they had done that didn't go platinum, didn't make some sort of crazy noise, and everybody panicked".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rawmusictv.com/article/2019/How-John-Corabi-saved-Motley-Crue-with-their-1994-hard-rock-album-that-failed |title=How John Corabi saved Mötley Crüe with their 1994 hard rock album that failed |date=March 9, 2019 |access-date=March 9, 2019 |df=mdy-all |archive-date=March 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331181746/https://www.rawmusictv.com/article/2019/How-John-Corabi-saved-Motley-Crue-with-their-1994-hard-rock-album-that-failed |url-status=live}}</ref> During his time away from the band, Neil released a moderately successful solo album, ''[[Exposed (Vince Neil album)|Exposed]]'' in 1993,<ref>{{cite web |title=Exposed - Vince Neil |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/exposed-mw0000618629 |website=Allmusic |access-date=7 December 2019 |archive-date=April 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411171827/https://www.allmusic.com/album/exposed-mw0000618629 |url-status=live}}</ref> and a less commercially successful follow-up, ''[[Carved in Stone (Vince Neil album)|Carved in Stone]]'' in 1995.<ref>{{cite web |title=Carved in Stone - Vince Neil |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/carved-in-stone-mw0000644971 |website=Allmusic |access-date=7 December 2019 |archive-date=January 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127102341/https://www.allmusic.com/album/carved-in-stone-mw0000644971 |url-status=live}}</ref>
After Rolling Stone magazine broke out the news in their November 26 1996 issue, the band reunited with Neil in 1997,<ref>{{cite book |title=Bang Your Head: The Rise and Fall of Heavy Metal |first=David |last=Konow |publisher=Random House Digital, Inc. |year=2009 |page=346 |isbn=9780307565600}}</ref> after their current manager, Allen Kovac, and Neil's manager, Bert Stein, set up a meeting between Neil, Lee, and Sixx. Agreeing to "leave their egos at the door", the band released ''[[Generation Swine]]''. Although it debuted at No. 4, and in spite of a live performance at the American Music Awards, the album was a commercial failure, due in part to lack of support from their label.<ref>{{cite web |title=When Motley Crue Brought Back Vince Neil for 'Generation Swine' |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-generation-swine/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=June 15, 2019 |archive-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616175557/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-generation-swine/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 1998, Mötley's contractual ties with Elektra had expired, putting the band in total control of their future, including the ownership of the master recordings of all of their albums. Announcing the end of their relationship with Elektra, the band became one of the few groups to own and control their publishing and music catalog. They are one of only a handful of artists to own the masters to their material and reportedly did so by being the biggest pain they could be until Elektra got fed up and handed over the rights in order to get the band off their label.<ref>{{cite web |title=5 Brilliant Business Lessons From Mötley Crüe (Seriously!) |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/3031014/5-brilliant-business-lessons-from-moetley-cruee-seriously |website=Fast Company |date=May 28, 2014 |access-date=18 December 2019 |archive-date=December 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218155724/https://www.fastcompany.com/3031014/5-brilliant-business-lessons-from-moetley-cruee-seriously |url-status=live}}</ref> After leaving Elektra the band created their own label, [[Mötley Records]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Q&A: Motley Crue still calling its own shots |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/music-motley-dc-idUSN27297720080627 |website=Reuters |date=June 27, 2008 |access-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617131931/https://www.reuters.com/article/music-motley-dc-idUSN27297720080627 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Mötley released their compilation ''[[Greatest Hits (1998 Mötley Crüe album)|Greatest Hits]]'' in late 1998, featuring two new songs, "Bitter Pill" and "Enslaved".<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue - Greatest Hits (1998) |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/greatet-hit-1998-mw0000045032 |website=Allmusic |access-date=June 15, 2019 |archive-date=October 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012103639/https://www.allmusic.com/album/greatet-hit-1998-mw0000045032 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1999, the band rereleased all their albums, dubbed as "Crücial Crüe". These limited-edition digital remasters included demos, plus live, instrumental, and previously unreleased tracks.<ref>{{cite web |title=Crucial Crue: The Mötley Crüe Reissues |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/crucial-crue-the-m%C3%B6tley-cr%C3%BCe-reissues-mw0000240878/credits |website=Allmusic |access-date=June 21, 2019 |archive-date=June 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621113749/https://www.allmusic.com/album/crucial-crue-the-m%25C3%25B6tley-cr%25C3%25BCe-reissues-mw0000240878/credits |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1999 the band also released ''[[Supersonic and Demonic Relics]]'', an updated version of ''Decade of Decadence'' featuring the original songs from that album and several previously unreleased B-sides and remixes,<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue - Supersonic and Demonic Relics |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/r416890 |website=Allmusic |access-date=June 15, 2019 |archive-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202225658/https://www.allmusic.com/album/supersonic-and-demonic-relics-mw0000240878 |url-status=live}}</ref> as well as their first official live album ''[[Live: Entertainment or Death|Entertainment or Death]]''<ref>{{cite web |title=Live: Entertainment or Death |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-entertainment-or-death-mw0000254108 |website=Allmusic |access-date=8 December 2019 |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803220737/https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-entertainment-or-death-mw0000254108 |url-status=live}}</ref> (which was the original working title for the studio album ''Theatre of Pain'').<ref>{{cite web |title=30 Facts About Mötley Crüe's Theatre of Pain |url=http://www.vh1.com/news/29604/motley-crue-theatre-of-pain-facts/ |website=VH1 |access-date=December 8, 2019 |archive-date=August 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802181816/http://www.vh1.com/news/29604/motley-crue-theatre-of-pain-facts/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The band then went on a [[Eye to Eye Tour|co-headlining tour]] with [[Scorpions (band)|The Scorpions]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue, Scorpions To Kick It Old-School On Summer Tour |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1433901/motley-crue-scorpions-to-kick-it-old-school-on-summer-tour/ |website=MTV |access-date=30 December 2019 |archive-date=December 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230174956/http://www.mtv.com/news/1433901/motley-crue-scorpions-to-kick-it-old-school-on-summer-tour/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 1999, Lee quit to pursue a solo career, due to increasing tensions with Neil. "All we got was a call from his attorney saying he wasn't coming back," recalled the singer. "He wasn't into rock 'n' roll anymore. He even said that rock is dead ... It all happened during a void in Mötley. We weren't even rehearsing, so it was no big deal."<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Dave |last=Ling |title=We are lüdicröus! |magazine=[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]] #12 |date=March 2000 |page=49}}</ref>
Lee was replaced by a longtime friend of the band, former [[Ozzy Osbourne]] drummer [[Randy Castillo]]. The band released ''[[New Tattoo]]'' in July 2000.<ref>{{cite web |title=How Motley Crue Brought Back the Riffs on 'New Tattoo' |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-new-tattoo-album/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=16 December 2019 |archive-date=March 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200330180251/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-new-tattoo-album/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Before the ensuing tour commenced, Castillo became ill with a duodenal ulcer. The band brought in former [[Hole (band)|Hole]] drummer [[Samantha Maloney]] for the Maximum Rock tour with [[Megadeth]]<ref>{{cite web |title=A Different Drummer |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2000-08-23-0008230059-story.html |website=Chicago Tribune |access-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617173711/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2000-08-23-0008230059-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref> as Castillo concentrated on his health. However, while Castillo was recovering from stomach surgery, he was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma after finding a tumor on his jaw. He died on March 26, 2002.<ref>{{cite web |title=Heavy Metal Drummer Randy Castillo Dies |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/76315/heavy-metal-drummer-randy-castillo-dies |website=Billboard.com |date=March 28, 2002 |access-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626224624/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/76315/heavy-metal-drummer-randy-castillo-dies |url-status=live}}</ref> Soon afterward, the band went on hiatus.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mötley Crüe's Break Up: The Real Story You Won't See on 'The Dirt' |url=https://www.newsweek.com/motley-crue-break-dirt-netflix-movie-members-songs-1370399 |website=Newsweek |date=March 22, 2019 |access-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-date=May 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525035359/https://www.newsweek.com/motley-crue-break-dirt-netflix-movie-members-songs-1370399 |url-status=live}}</ref>
While the band was on hiatus, Sixx played in side projects [[58 (band)|58]] and [[Brides of Destruction]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Nikki Sixx Takes Chances With New Side Project, 58 |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/971958/nikki-sixx-takes-chances-with-new-side-project-58/ |website=MTV |access-date=16 December 2019 |archive-date=December 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216170938/http://www.mtv.com/news/971958/nikki-sixx-takes-chances-with-new-side-project-58/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Brides of Destruction - biography |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/brides-of-destruction-p631275/biography |website=Allmusic |access-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-date=December 13, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101213163012/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/brides-of-destruction-p631275/biography |url-status=live}}</ref> Neil was featured on the first season of VH1's reality show ''[[The Surreal Life]]'',<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Here are the celebrity housemates of ''Surreal Life'' |url=https://ew.com/article/2002/09/27/here-are-celebrity-housemates-surreal-life/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617174420/https://ew.com/article/2002/09/27/here-are-celebrity-housemates-surreal-life/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and had his own special titled "Remaking Vince Neil", which focused on his solo career and attempts to get in better physical shape.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Simmons |first1=Sylvie |title=One hip replacement, four tour buses and plenty of plastic surgery |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/apr/28/popandrock1 |website=The Guardian |date=April 28, 2005 |access-date=7 December 2019 |archive-date=December 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207063425/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/apr/28/popandrock1 |url-status=live}}</ref> Mars, who suffers from a hereditary form of arthritis which causes extensive spinal pain called [[ankylosing spondylitis]],<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lee |first1=Tommy |author-link1=Tommy Lee |last2=Strauss |first2=Neil |author-link2=Neil Strauss |author3=Vince Neil |author4=Mick Mars |author5-link=Nikki Sixx |author5=Nikki Sixx |title=The Dirt: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band |edition=reprint, illustrated |year=2002 |orig-year=2001 |access-date=December 18, 2011 |publisher=[[HarperCollins]] |isbn=0-06-098915-7 |oclc=212381899 |page=[https://archive.org/details/dirt00tomm/page/186 186; 448] |url=https://archive.org/details/dirt00tomm/page/186 |author3-link=Vince Neil}}</ref> went into seclusion in 2001 dealing with health issues. Lee went on to form [[Methods of Mayhem]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Methods of Mayhem (album) |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/methods-of-mayhem-mw0000259592 |website=Allmusic |access-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616170027/https://www.allmusic.com/album/methods-of-mayhem-mw0000259592 |url-status=live}}</ref> and also performed as a solo artist during this time.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rock's bad boy never has a dull moment |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/rocks-bad-boy-never-has-a-dull-moment-20020731-gdfi1t.html |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=July 31, 2002 |access-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616170030/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/rocks-bad-boy-never-has-a-dull-moment-20020731-gdfi1t.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
A 2001 autobiography titled ''[[The Dirt]]'', co-authored by all four of the band members and [[Neil Strauss]], presented Mötley as "the world's most notorious rock band." The book made the top ten on ''[[The New York Times Best Seller list]]'' and spent ten weeks there, and would return to the list after the film adaptation was released in spring 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mötley Crüe's 'The Dirt' Book Is Back On 'NY Times Best Sellers' List |url=https://www.iheart.com/content/2019-04-04-mtley-cres-the-dirt-book-is-back-on-ny-times-best-sellers-list/ |website=iHeartRadio |access-date=April 28, 2019 |archive-date=April 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423021349/https://www.iheart.com/content/2019-04-04-mtley-cres-the-dirt-book-is-back-on-ny-times-best-sellers-list/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2003, the band released two [[box set]]s entitled ''[[Music to Crash Your Car To: Vol. 1]]'' and ''[[Music to Crash Your Car To: Vol. 2|Vol. 2]]'', featuring the music from their entire career.<ref>{{cite web |title=Music to Crash Your Car To, Vol. 1 |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/music-to-crash-your-car-to-vol-1-mw0000694388/releases |website=Allmusic |access-date=29 December 2019 |archive-date=December 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229161001/https://www.allmusic.com/album/music-to-crash-your-car-to-vol-1-mw0000694388/releases |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Music to Crash Your Car To, Vol. 2 |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/music-to-crash-your-car-to-vol-2-mw0000746028/releases |website=Allmusic |access-date=29 December 2019 |archive-date=December 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229161001/https://www.allmusic.com/album/music-to-crash-your-car-to-vol-2-mw0000746028/releases |url-status=live}}</ref> The titles of the collections were heavily criticized by [[Hanoi Rocks]] singer [[Michael Monroe]], among others, due to their possible reference to Vince Neil and Razzle's fatal automobile accident, and that Neil was found guilty of manslaughter for the incident.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Is the Title of Motley Crue's New Album Offensive? |url=https://ew.com/article/2003/12/05/title-motley-crues-new-album-offensive/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=29 December 2019 |archive-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617174452/https://ew.com/article/2003/12/05/title-motley-crues-new-album-offensive/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
===2004–2007: Reunion and renewed success===
[[File:Mötley Crüe - 2005.jpg|thumb|left|Nikki Sixx and Mick Mars performing onstage with Mötley Crüe, on June 14, 2005, in Glasgow, Scotland]]
A promoter in England, Mags Revell, began clamoring for a Mötley Crüe reunion, ostensibly presenting himself as the voice of anxious fans waiting for more from the band.<ref>{{cite news |title=Motley Crue reunite for 2005 tour |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4074665.stm |work=BBC News |date=December 7, 2004 |access-date=3 January 2020 |archive-date=January 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103191042/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4074665.stm |url-status=live}}</ref> After meeting with management several times, in September 2004, Sixx announced that he and Neil had returned to the studio and had begun recording new material. In December 2004, the four original members announced a reunion tour, staging an announcement event in which they arrived at the Hollywood Palladium in a hearse.<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue to Reunite for 2005 Tour, Album |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/motley-crue-to-reunite-for-2005-tour-album |website=Fox News |date=March 25, 2015 |access-date=June 21, 2019 |archive-date=June 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621120757/https://www.foxnews.com/story/motley-crue-to-reunite-for-2005-tour-album |url-status=live}}</ref> The tour began on February 14, 2005, in [[San Juan, Puerto Rico]].<ref>{{cite web |title=MOTLEY CRUE To Kick Off Reunion Tour In San Juan, Puerto Rico |url=http://bravewords.com/news/motley-crue-to-kick-off-reunion-tour-in-san-juan-puerto-rico |website=Bravewords.com |access-date=June 21, 2019 |archive-date=June 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621120801/http://bravewords.com/news/motley-crue-to-kick-off-reunion-tour-in-san-juan-puerto-rico |url-status=live}}</ref> The resulting compilation album, ''[[Red, White & Crüe]]'', was released in February 2005. It features the band members' favorite original songs plus three new tracks, "[[If I Die Tomorrow]]", "[[Sick Love Song]]" (co-written by Sixx and [[James Michael]]), and a cover of [[the Rolling Stones]]' classic "[[Street Fighting Man]]". A small controversy was caused when it was suggested that neither Lee nor Mars played on the new tracks (duties were supposedly handled by [[The Vandals|Vandals]] drummer [[Josh Freese]]){{Citation needed|date=February 2022}}. However, a [[VH1]] documentary of the band's reunion later showed that Lee did indeed play on some of the tracks. The Japanese release of ''Red, White & Crüe'' includes an extra new track titled "I'm a Liar (and That's the Truth)". ''Red, White & Crüe'' charted at No. 6 and has since gone platinum.<ref>{{cite web |title=RIAA Gold and Platinum |url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS&artist=Motley%20Crue |website=Recording Industry Association of America |access-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924160142/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS&artist=Motley%20Crue |url-status=live}}</ref>
On New Year's Eve 2004 the band appeared on a live episode of ''[[The Tonight Show]]''. Neil yelled an obscenity during the performance, leading to an [[FCC]] investigation.<ref>{{cite web |title=FCC probes profanity slip by Motley Crue on 'Leno' |url=https://www.sunjournal.com/2005/01/05/fcc-probes-profanity-slip-motley-crue-leno/ |website=Sun Journal |date=January 5, 2005 |access-date=June 20, 2019 |archive-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202225705/https://www.sunjournal.com/2005/01/05/fcc-probes-profanity-slip-motley-crue-leno/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[NBC]] network responded by banning the band, leading to the band subsequently suing the network, claiming they were being unfairly punished.<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue sues NBC |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/motley-crue-sues-nbc/ |website=CBS News |access-date=June 20, 2019 |archive-date=June 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620133925/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/motley-crue-sues-nbc/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The lawsuit was eventually settled out of court and the band made several subsequent appearances on the network.<ref>{{cite web |title=When Motley Crue Sued NBC Over a Network Ban |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-nbc-ban/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=June 20, 2019 |archive-date=June 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620133923/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-nbc-ban/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2005, Mötley Crüe was involved in an animation-comedy spoof ''Disaster!'',<ref>{{cite web |last=Weinberg |first=Scott |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/news/1644943/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913055831/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/news/1644943/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 13, 2012 |title=Rotten Tomatoes |website=Rotten Tomatoes |date=March 9, 2005 |access-date=October 15, 2010 }}</ref> which was written by Paul Benson and Matt Sullivan and which was used as the introduction film to concerts on their Carnival of Sins tour.<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue in Stop-Motion Disaster! |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/features/motley-crue-in-stop-motion-disaster/ |website=Animation Magazine |date=March 7, 2005 |access-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616144507/https://www.animationmagazine.net/features/motley-crue-in-stop-motion-disaster/ |url-status=live}}</ref> That tour continued throughout 2005 and was commemorated with the release of a [[Carnival of Sins Live|live album]] and DVD in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue Release 'Carnival of Sins' Double Live Album |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/m-tley-cr-e-release-carnival-of-sins-double-live-album/ |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=February 9, 2006 |access-date=8 December 2019 |archive-date=December 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208144308/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/m-tley-cr-e-release-carnival-of-sins-double-live-album/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Carnival of Sins: Live [DVD] |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/carnival-of-sins-live-dvd-mw0001433942 |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=8 December 2019 |archive-date=December 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208144716/https://www.allmusic.com/album/carnival-of-sins-live-dvd-mw0001433942 |url-status=live}}</ref> In the fall of 2005 the band re-recorded "Home Sweet Home" as a duet with [[Linkin Park]] lead singer [[Chester Bennington]] and donated the proceeds to the victims of [[Hurricane Katrina]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Mötley Crüe to Donate All Proceeds From 'Home Sweet Home' Remake to Charity |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/m-tley-cr-e-to-donate-all-proceeds-from-home-sweet-home-remake-to-charity/ |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=September 27, 2005 |access-date=26 December 2019 |archive-date=December 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226134233/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/m-tley-cr-e-to-donate-all-proceeds-from-home-sweet-home-remake-to-charity/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2006, Mötley Crüe went on the [[Route of All Evil Tour]], co-headlining with [[Aerosmith]] and taking performers from [[Lucent Dossier Experience]] on the road with them.<ref>{{cite web |title=It's 1989, Yo: Motley Crue, Aerosmith Touring Together This Fall |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1534721/its-1989-yo-motley-crue-aerosmith-touring-together-this-fall/ |website=MTV |access-date=8 December 2019 |archive-date=December 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208144319/http://www.mtv.com/news/1534721/its-1989-yo-motley-crue-aerosmith-touring-together-this-fall/ |url-status=live}}</ref> 2006 also saw the band sign with [[Paramount Pictures]] and [[MTV Films]] to adapt their autobiography ''The Dirt'' into a movie,<ref>{{cite web |title=Crue Chief for Par Pic |url=https://variety.com/2006/film/news/crue-chief-for-par-pic-2-1200334889/ |website=Variety |date=April 28, 2006 |access-date=27 December 2019 |archive-date=September 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913231802/https://variety.com/2006/film/news/crue-chief-for-par-pic-2-1200334889/ |url-status=live}}</ref> but the production was delayed for several years and the deal eventually fell through.<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue slam MTV over 'The Dirt' |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/movies/news/a102217/motley-crue-slam-mtv-over-dirt/ |website=Digital Spy |date=June 20, 2008 |access-date=27 December 2019 |archive-date=July 7, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180707100323/http://www.digitalspy.com/movies/news/a102217/motley-crue-slam-mtv-over-dirt/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2007, Mötley Crüe set out on a small European tour. A lawsuit was filed by Neil, Mars and Sixx against [[Carl Stubner]], Lee's manager. The three sued him for contracting for Lee to appear on two unsuccessful reality shows the band claim hurt its image.<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue sues manager for $20 million |url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2007-06-19-motley-suit_N.htm |website=USA Today |access-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616141646/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2007-06-19-motley-suit_N.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> It was later reported on Motley.com that the lawsuit had been settled.<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue's Sixx, Mars Settle Up With Manager Carl Stubner |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/mtley-cre-s-sixx-mars-settle-up-with-manager-carl-stubner/ |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=March 20, 2008 |access-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616142125/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/mtley-cre-s-sixx-mars-settle-up-with-manager-carl-stubner/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2007, Sixx published his diaries as the bestselling autobiography ''[[The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star]]'', covering the band's ''Girls, Girls, Girls'' world tour and his 1987 overdose,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sixx |first1=Nikki |title=The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star |date=September 4, 2008 |publisher=Pocket Books |isbn=9781847396143}}</ref> and Sixx's side project band [[Sixx:A.M.]] released ''[[The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack]]'' as a musical parallel to the novel.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/r1078352 |website=Allmusic |access-date=June 15, 2019 |archive-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202225720/https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-heroin-diaries-soundtrack-mw0000482841 |url-status=live}}</ref>
===2008–10: ''Saints of Los Angeles''===
The band hosted the Motley Cruise from January 24 to 28 in 2008; this featured [[Ratt]], [[Skid Row (American band)|Skid Row]] and [[Slaughter (band)|Slaughter]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue gear up for 'Motley Cruise' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/motley-crue-47-1337846 |website=NME |date=January 18, 2008 |access-date=25 December 2019 |archive-date=December 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225153745/https://www.nme.com/news/music/motley-crue-47-1337846 |url-status=live}}</ref>
On June 11, 2008, Mötley Crüe and manager Burt Stein filed suit against each other. Stein was Neil's personal manager and also, according to the band and rival manager Kovac, served as the band's manager at one time. The band and Kovac sued in Los Angeles County Superior Court, claiming Stein was not entitled to a cut of Mötley Crüe's earnings. Stein sued the same day in Nashville's federal court, saying he was entitled to 1.875 percent of what the band makes.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wood |first=E. Thomas |author-link=E. Thomas Wood |url=http://www.nashvillepost.com/news/2008/6/13/crue_sued_manager_fires_back_in_motley_feud |title=Crue sued: Manager fires back in Motley feud |publisher=[[NashvillePost.com]] Retrieved on June 13, 2008 |date=June 13, 2008 |access-date=June 13, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081108133819/http://www.nashvillepost.com/news/2008/6/13/crue_sued_manager_fires_back_in_motley_feud |archive-date=November 8, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Other litigation between the parties also ensued in Nevada. In July 2009, lawyers for both sides announced that the disputes had been "amicably resolved" through a "global settlement".<ref>{{cite news |last=Wood |first=E. Thomas |author-link=E. Thomas Wood |url=http://www.nashvillepost.com/news/2009/7/27/nashville_at_law_rival_managers_bury_the_heavy_metal_hatchet |title=Nashville at law: Rival managers bury the heavy metal hatchet |publisher=[[NashvillePost.com]] Retrieved on July 27, 2009 |date=July 27, 2009 |access-date=July 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090728085311/http://www.nashvillepost.com/news/2009/7/27/nashville_at_law_rival_managers_bury_the_heavy_metal_hatchet |archive-date=July 28, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref>
Mötley Crüe's ninth studio album, titled ''[[Saints of Los Angeles]]'', was released in Japan on June 17, 2008, and in America on June 24, 2008.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Saints of Los Angeles |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/saints-of-los-angeles-255613/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=June 26, 2008 |access-date=8 December 2019 |archive-date=October 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011162230/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/saints-of-los-angeles-255613/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The album was originally titled ''The Dirt'', as it was loosely based on the band's autobiography of the same name, but the title was later changed. In the US, the album was released by [[Eleven Seven Music]]. Eleven Seven also took over US distribution of their back catalog.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mötley Crüe, Buckcherry Help Make Eleven Seven Music One Of Best Performing Rock Labels |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/m-tley-cr-e-buckcherry-help-make-eleven-seven-music-one-of-best-performing-rock-labels/ |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=December 2, 2008 |access-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616141221/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/m-tley-cr-e-buckcherry-help-make-eleven-seven-music-one-of-best-performing-rock-labels/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
iTunes picked "[[Saints of Los Angeles (song)|Saints of Los Angeles]]" in their "Best of 2008" in the Rock category as the number one song. The song was also nominated for a Grammy Award in the "Best Hard Rock Performance" category, but lost to "[[Wax Simulacra]]" by [[The Mars Volta]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Mars Volta Wins 'Best Hard Rock' Grammy For 'Wax Simulacra' |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/the-mars-volta-wins-best-hard-rock-grammy-for-wax-simulacra/ |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=February 8, 2009 |access-date=8 December 2019 |archive-date=December 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208165723/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/the-mars-volta-wins-best-hard-rock-grammy-for-wax-simulacra/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The song was released in the music game series ''[[Rock Band]]'' as downloadable content the day the single was released. It was briefly sold as a ''Rock Band'' exclusive, making Mötley Crüe the first band to release a single exclusively through a [[video game]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Motley Crue Sells Music Via 'Rock Band' Game |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90907233 |newspaper=NPR.org |access-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616115032/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90907233 |url-status=live}}</ref> The song sold more units via ''Rock Band'' than it did via traditional streaming sites.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Motley Crue Rock Band Track Outsells iTunes |url=https://www.wired.com/2008/05/motley-crue-roc/ |magazine=Wired |access-date=9 December 2019 |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803222831/https://www.wired.com/2008/05/motley-crue-roc/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, the entire ''[[Dr. Feelgood (album)|Dr. Feelgood]]'' album was released as downloadable content in ''Rock Band'', excluding "T.n.T. (Terror 'n Tinseltown)".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Burg |first1=Dustin |title=Rock Band 'Dr. Feelgood' album DLC now available |url=https://www.engadget.com/2008/10/14/rock-band-dr-feelgood-album-dlc-now-available/ |website=Engadget |access-date=13 December 2019 |archive-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202225723/https://www.engadget.com/2008-10-14-rock-band-dr-feelgood-album-dlc-now-available.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
From July 1 to August 31, 2008, Mötley Crüe headlined the popular [[Crüe Fest]] music festival, which included opening acts [[Buckcherry]], [[Papa Roach]], [[Trapt]], and [[Sixx:A.M.]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue announces Crue Fest 2008 |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/motley-crue-announces-crue-fest-2008-1C9425436 |website=Today Show |access-date=June 15, 2019 |archive-date=November 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104235045/https://www.today.com/popculture/motley-crue-announces-crue-fest-2008-1C9425436 |url-status=live}}</ref> They then spent the fall and winter of that year on tour with [[Hinder]], [[Theory of a Deadman]] and [[The Last Vegas]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Mötley Crüe, Hinder, Theory Of A Deadman: North American Tour Dates Announced |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/m-tley-cr-e-hinder-theory-of-a-deadman-north-american-tour-dates-announced/ |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=November 14, 2008 |access-date=3 January 2020 |archive-date=January 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103125546/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/m-tley-cr-e-hinder-theory-of-a-deadman-north-american-tour-dates-announced/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Mötley Crüe - Erie, PA.jpg|thumb|Mötley Crüe performs in [[Erie, Pennsylvania]] on March 7, 2009|alt=Mötley Crüe performs in Erie, Pennsylvania on March 7, 2009]]
The band made a guest appearance in the fourth season finale of the [[Fox Broadcasting Company|FOX]] crime dramedy ''[[Bones (TV series)|Bones]]'' on May 14, 2009, entitled "The End in the Beginning", performing the song "[[Dr. Feelgood (Mötley Crüe song)|Dr. Feelgood]]".<ref>{{cite magazine |title='Bones' season finale to feature guest appearance by Motley Crue |url=https://ew.com/article/2009/04/23/bones-motley-cr/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=June 15, 2019 |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626224633/https://ew.com/article/2009/04/23/bones-motley-cr/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The following month they performed at the [[Download Festival]] at the [[Donington Park motorsports circuit]] (June 12–14, 2009), playing on the second stage on Friday night.<ref>{{cite web |title=Slipknot, Prodigy and Motley Crue set for Download 2009 |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/slipknot-160-1310805 |website=NME |date=February 10, 2009 |access-date=June 15, 2019 |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626224639/https://www.nme.com/news/music/slipknot-160-1310805 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Mötley Crüe headlined the ''[[Crüe Fest 2]]'' festival, which ran from July to September 2009. Supporting them were [[Godsmack]], [[Theory of a Deadman]], [[Drowning Pool]], and [[Charm City Devils]]. The band's set celebrated the 20th anniversary of ''[[Dr. Feelgood (album)|Dr. Feelgood]]'' by performing the album in its entirety on each night of the tour. They also re-released the album as a special 20th anniversary deluxe edition.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://motley.com/news/news.php?uid=849 |title=news.news |publisher=Motley.com |date=March 16, 2009 |access-date=June 9, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103130127/http://motley.com/news/news.php?uid=849 |archive-date=January 3, 2010}}</ref>
Mötley Crüe headlined [[Ozzfest]] in 2010, along with [[Ozzy Osbourne]] and [[Rob Halford]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Ozzfest 2010 Features Ozzy Osbourne, Mötley Crüe |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1638249/ozzfest-2010-features-ozzy-osbourne-motley-crue/ |website=MTV |access-date=June 15, 2019 |archive-date=September 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926120159/http://www.mtv.com/news/1638249/ozzfest-2010-features-ozzy-osbourne-motley-crue/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Neil also released his [[Tattoos & Tequila|third solo album]] and autobiography, both entitled ''Tattoos and Tequila''.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Jones |first1=Nate |title=Q&A: Mötley Crüe's Vince Neil on Sex, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll |url=http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,2023210,00.html |magazine=Time |date=October 4, 2010 |access-date=29 December 2019 |archive-date=December 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229143457/http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,2023210,00.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
===2011–2015: The Final Tour and retirement from touring===
[[File:Mötley Crüe @ Kaisaniemenpuisto, 2012.06.07 (7368322980).jpg|thumb|Mötley Crüe performs at [[Kaisaniemi Park]] in [[Helsinki]], Finland in June 2012]]
Mötley Crüe co-headlined a [[Glam-A-Geddon|mid-year tour]] with [[Poison (American band)|Poison]] and special guests [[New York Dolls]] in 2011 for the band's 30th Anniversary and Poison's 25th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/News/motley-crue-poison-0301-2011|title=Mötley Crüe and Poison to Co-Headline Tour|year=2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110804213335/http://www.gibson.com/en%2Dus/Lifestyle/News/motley%2Dcrue%2Dpoison%2D0301%2D2011/|archive-date=August 4, 2011}}</ref> On August 30, 2011, Mötley Crüe, along with co-headliners [[Def Leppard]] and special guests [[Steel Panther]], announced a [[United Kingdom|UK]] Tour commencing in December 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motley.com/news/1a9fb7-announcing-mtley-uk-tour-with-def-leppard-and-steel-panther/|title=Announcing Mötley UK Tour with Def Leppard and Steel Panther|date=August 30, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016031026/http://www.motley.com/news/1a9fb7-announcing-mtley-uk-tour-with-def-leppard-and-steel-panther/|archive-date=October 16, 2011}}</ref>
In February 2012 the band appeared along with supermodel [[Adriana Lima]] in a commercial for the [[Kia Optima]], which premiered during [[Super Bowl XLVI]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Kia's Optima Super Bowl ad gets Adriana Lima, Motley Crue into your dreams |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/bp/kia-optima-super-bowl-ad-gets-adriana-lima-151232143.html |website=Yahoo! News |access-date=8 December 2019 |archive-date=December 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208192544/https://www.yahoo.com/news/bp/kia-optima-super-bowl-ad-gets-adriana-lima-151232143.html |url-status=live}}</ref> February 2012 also saw the band host its first [[concert residency|residency]] at the [[Hard Rock Cafe|Hard Rock Hotel and Casino]] in [[Las Vegas]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Mötley Crüe Are Doing a Las Vegas Residency |url=https://www.vulture.com/2011/12/motley-crue-las-vegas.html |website=Vulture |access-date=13 December 2019 |archive-date=December 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213125248/https://www.vulture.com/2011/12/motley-crue-las-vegas.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2012, Mötley Crüe announced a [[The Tour (Kiss and Mötley Crüe)|co-headlining tour]] with [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]]. The tour kicked off July 20 in Bristow, Virginia, and ran through September 23.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kiss-and-motley-crue-announce-the-tour-20120321 |title=Kiss And Mötley Crüe Announce The Tour |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=March 21, 2012 |access-date=September 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022000333/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kiss-and-motley-crue-announce-the-tour-20120321 |archive-date=October 22, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> In the spring and summer of 2013 the band toured throughout Canada with [[Big Wreck]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue Reveal 2013 Canadian Tour Dates |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-2013-canada-tour/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=8 December 2019 |archive-date=December 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208204326/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-2013-canada-tour/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The band returned to Las Vegas for a second residency in the fall of 2013.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mötley Crüe to rock The Joint in second Vegas residency |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/04/02/motley-crue-books-second-las-vegas-residency/2044485/ |website=USA Today |access-date=13 December 2019 |archive-date=December 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213125245/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/04/02/motley-crue-books-second-las-vegas-residency/2044485/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
On January 28, 2014, at the conference inside Beacher's Madhouse Theater in Hollywood, Mötley Crüe announced the full details of its retirement, including a tour initially spanning 70 North American dates, with [[Alice Cooper]] playing as a special guest. The tour commenced in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on July 2, 2014. The band members had signed a "cessation of touring agreement", which prevented them from touring under the Mötley Crüe name beyond the end of 2015.<ref>[http://www.rockcellarmagazine.com/2014/01/28/motley-crue-announcement-retirement-quitting-farewell-tour/#sthash.HmSyDp9a.dpbs Mötley Crüe Announce Retirement, Final Tour with Alice Cooper] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202234701/http://www.rockcellarmagazine.com/2014/01/28/motley-crue-announcement-retirement-quitting-farewell-tour/#sthash.HmSyDp9a.dpbs |date=February 2, 2014}} Rockcellarmagazine.com (January 28, 2014). Retrieved on April 11, 2014.</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Michaels |first=Sean |title=Motley Crüe sign pact which assures no more reunions |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jan/29/motley-crue-sign-death-pact-retirement |newspaper=The Guardian |date=January 29, 2014 |access-date=December 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421195256/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jan/29/motley-crue-sign-death-pact-retirement |archive-date=April 21, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In a later interview, Sixx talked about the possibility of releasing new music, saying that "We have music written, [but] it's not put together yet". He also speculated that the band would release it in a song-by-song format as opposed to a full-length album format, elaborating with "It's hard, to be honest with you, to spend six [or] nine months to write eleven songs—all those lyrics ... everything ... the vocals, the guitars, the bass, the sonics, the mixing, the mastering, the artwork. ... You put it out and nothing [happens], because now people cherry-pick songs. So we go, 'Why don't we write songs and find vehicles to get one, two or four songs to ten million people rather than eleven songs to a hundred thousand people."<ref>{{cite news |title=NIKKI SIXX Says MÖTLEY CRÜE Will Release New Music 'One, Two Or Four Songs' At A Time |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/nikki-sixx-says-motley-crue-will-release-new-music-one-two-or-four-songs-at-a-time/ |work=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=February 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904204135/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/nikki-sixx-says-motley-crue-will-release-new-music-one-two-or-four-songs-at-a-time/ |archive-date=September 4, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>
During the tour the band played a new song, "All Bad Things", over the speakers throughout the venue before it took the stage. On November 22, 2014, in [[Spokane, Washington]], at the [[Spokane Arena]], Mötley Crüe played the final concert of the first North American leg of The Final Tour.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mötley Crüe's 'The Final Tour' Has Already Been Seen By Half A Million Fans |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/motley-crues-the-final-tour-has-already-been-seen-by-half-a-million-fans/ |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=November 26, 2014 |access-date=June 15, 2019 |archive-date=September 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922103806/https://blabbermouth.net/news/motley-crues-the-final-tour-has-already-been-seen-by-half-a-million-fans/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
On January 15, 2015, it was announced that the band's career would end with international concerts in Japan, Australia, Brazil and Europe before heading out for a second leg of North American concerts throughout 2015, ending with a concert at the [[MGM Grand Garden Arena]] in [[Las Vegas]] on December 27, followed by three concerts at [[Staples Center]] on December 28, 30 and 31, 2015. In May 2015, The Crüe and Alice Cooper announced a set of 12 concert dates for Europe at a conference in London.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://loudwire.com/motley-crue-official-retirement-shows/|title=Motley Crue Reveal Official Retirement Shows |work=Loudwire |access-date=January 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904205620/http://loudwire.com/motley-crue-official-retirement-shows/ |archive-date=September 4, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>
On September 19, 2015, the band played the [[Rock in Rio]] festival on the main stage.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rockinrio.com/rio/en/line-up/ |title=Line-up |work=Rock in Rio |access-date=September 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150318011314/http://rockinrio.com/rio/en/line-up/ |archive-date=March 18, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Mötley Crüe performed, for what was then advertised to be the last time, at [[Staples Center]] in [[Los Angeles]] on December 31, 2015. The band reported that its New Year's Eve show was going to be released as a film in 2016; the movie was titled ''Motley Crue: THE END''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.motley.com/motley-crue-to-release-full-length-live-concert-film-of-final-performance/ |title=Last Show |work=Mötley Crüe |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101081215/http://www.motley.com/motley-crue-to-release-full-length-live-concert-film-of-final-performance/ |archive-date=January 1, 2016}}</ref>
===2018–present: Reunion, ''The Dirt'' film, new music, return to touring, and Mars' retirement===
In 2017, frontman Vince Neil told host [[Sammy Hagar]] on the show ''[[List of Rock and Roll Road Trip with Sammy Hagar episodes|Rock and Roll Road Trip]]'' that Mötley Crüe were "completely done".<ref>{{cite web |title=Nashville Cats (2017) - 21 min |url=https://www.axs.tv/channel/rock-roll-road-trip-with-sammy-hagar/rock-roll-road-trip-with-sammy-hagar-season-2/video/nashville-cats/ |website=axs.tv |publisher=axs.tv |access-date=1 June 2022}}</ref> However, on September 13, 2018, Neil announced via Twitter that Mötley Crüe was recording four new songs;<ref name="blabbermouth neil" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/motley-crue-heading-back-to-the-studio-says-vince-neil |title=Motley Crue heading back to the studio, says Vince Neil |publisher=Loudersound.com |date=September 13, 2018 |access-date=September 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913223342/https://www.loudersound.com/news/motley-crue-heading-back-to-the-studio-says-vince-neil |archive-date=September 13, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> this was later also confirmed by bassist Nikki Sixx, who said that the new material was recorded for the film adaptation of the band's biography, ''[[The Dirt (film)|The Dirt]]''.<ref name="blabbermouth sixx" /> Neil also clarified that, though the band has signed a contract to no longer tour, they still plan to continue putting out new music for the future.<ref>{{cite web |last=Redrup |first=Zach |url=http://www.deadpress.co.uk/news-motley-crue-still-recording-new-music-following-break-up |title=NEWS: Mötley Crüe still recording new music following break up! |publisher=DEAD PRESS! |date=September 13, 2018 |access-date=September 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914061351/http://www.deadpress.co.uk/news-motley-crue-still-recording-new-music-following-break-up/ |archive-date=September 14, 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[Netflix]] released ''The Dirt'' biopic based on the book of the same name that coincided with an 18-song soundtrack on March 22, 2019.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Motley Crue Set 'The Dirt' Premiere Date |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/motley-crue-the-dirt-premiere-date-762540/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=December 3, 2018 |access-date=30 December 2019 |archive-date=February 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226225825/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/motley-crue-the-dirt-premiere-date-762540/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The film is directed by [[Jeff Tremaine]], (''[[Jackass (franchise)|Jackass]]''), produced by Julie Yorn and Erik Olsen, executive produced by Rick Yorn,<ref name="Variety">{{cite news |last1=Aswad |first1=Jem |title=Watch First Trailer for Motley Crue Biopic 'The Dirt' |url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/motley-crue-the-dirt-netflix-watch-trailer-1203142798/ |access-date=8 April 2019 |work=Variety |date=February 19, 2019 |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626224624/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/motley-crue-the-dirt-netflix-watch-trailer-1203142798/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and co-produced by Kovac who is Mötley Crüe's manager, CEO of [[Eleven Seven Label Group]]<ref name="BB 3">{{cite magazine |last1=Drew |first1=Ian |title=Industry Vet Allen Kovac on Working With Problematic Stars: 'We Have to Take Care of Our Artists First' |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8503335/allen-kovac-interview-working-with-problematic-stars |access-date=23 April 2019 |magazine=Billboard |date=March 21, 2019 |archive-date=May 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501225253/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8503335/allen-kovac-interview-working-with-problematic-stars |url-status=live}}</ref> and founder of Tenth Street Entertainment.<ref name="Music Bis Worldwide">{{cite news |last1=Ingham |first1=Tim |title=ALLEN KOVAC: 'DON'T TELL ARTISTS WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR. TELL THEM THE TRUTH.' |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/dont-tell-artists-what-they-want-to-hear/ |access-date=23 April 2019 |work=Music Business Worldwide |date=September 30, 2015 |archive-date=April 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423154438/https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/dont-tell-artists-what-they-want-to-hear/ |url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Dirt'' stars [[Daniel Webber (actor)|Daniel Webber]] as Neil, [[Iwan Rheon]] (''[[Game of Thrones]]'') as Mars, [[Douglas Booth]] as Sixx and Colson Baker (aka [[Machine Gun Kelly (rapper)|Machine Gun Kelly]]) as Lee.<ref name="BB 1">{{cite magazine |last1=Titus |first1=Christa |title=Nikki Sixx Spills 'Dirt' About Mötley Crüe Movie Soundtrack |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8499408/nikki-sixx-the-dirt-motley-crue-movie-soundtrack |access-date=8 April 2019 |magazine=Billboard |date=February 22, 2019 |archive-date=April 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416213607/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8499408/nikki-sixx-the-dirt-motley-crue-movie-soundtrack |url-status=live}}</ref> Also starring in the movie is [[Pete Davidson]] (''[[Saturday Night Live]]'') as record executive Tom Zutaut.<ref name="Cosmopolitan">{{cite news |last1=Lewis |first1=Anna |title=Netflix's The Dirt is about the lives of Mötley Crüe, and stars Pete Davidson |url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/a26355128/the-dirt-motley-crue-netflix-film-pete-davidson-release-date-trailer/ |access-date=8 April 2019 |work=Cosmopolitan |date=February 19, 2019 |archive-date=April 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428024501/https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/a26355128/the-dirt-motley-crue-netflix-film-pete-davidson-release-date-trailer/ |url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' wrote that ''The Dirt'' is "a truly debauched movie that delves deep into their rise from the early Eighties Sunset Strip metal scene to their days as arena headliners."<ref name="RS1">{{cite magazine |last1=Greene |first1=Andy |title=See Motley Crue at Their Best and Worst in First 'The Dirt' Biopic Trailer |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/motley-crue-the-dirt-biopic-trailer-796217/ |access-date=8 April 2019 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=February 19, 2019 |archive-date=March 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324121622/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/motley-crue-the-dirt-biopic-trailer-796217/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The film portrays many of the adventures the band went on including touring with [[Ozzy Osbourne]] and the ''[[Theatre of Pain]]'' tour.<ref>{{cite magazine |id={{ProQuest|2212640964}} |last1=Gröw |first1=Köry |title=Sex, Drugs & Mötley Crüe |magazine=Rolling Stone |issue=1325 |date=March 2019 |page=26 }}</ref>
The first new song from the soundtrack was "The Dirt (Est.1981)", which was released on February 22, 2019. The band wrote two other new songs, "Ride With the Devil" and "Crash and Burn", and covered [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]]'s "[[Like a Virgin (song)|Like a Virgin]]", on the album. The soundtrack additionally included fourteen previously released Mötley Crüe songs. It was produced by Bob Rock, who produced ''Dr. Feelgood'', and was released on March 22, 2019, on [[Mötley Records]] and Eleven Seven Music.<ref name="RS 2">{{cite magazine |last1=Kreps |first1=Daniel |title=Motley Crue Drop 'The Dirt (Est. 1981)' Video, Detail Biopic's Soundtrack |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/motley-crue-the-dirt-est-1981-soundtrack-798699/ |access-date=April 8, 2019 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=February 22, 2019 |archive-date=March 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329161305/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/motley-crue-the-dirt-est-1981-soundtrack-798699/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The soundtrack hit the Billboard Top 10 at No. 10, the first time Mötley Crüe hit the Billboard Top 10 in over a decade.<ref>{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|2201502291}} |last1=Sisario |first1=Ben |title=Mötley Crüe Returns To the Billboard Top 10 |newspaper=New York Times |date=2 April 2019 |page=C.3 }}</ref>
The group's legacy was also featured on a 2019 episode of the [[Reelz]] documentary series ''Breaking the Band''. Both Neil and Sixx had a negative reaction to how things were portrayed in the episode. Sixx said they would be pursuing legal action and called Reelz "the bottom of the barrel."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-reelz-breaking-the-band/|title=Motley Crue Stars Blast 'Bottom of the Barrel' Reelz Documentary|last=Kielty|first=Martin|website=Ultimate Classic Rock|language=en|access-date=June 18, 2019|archive-date=February 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202225736/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-reelz-breaking-the-band/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In November 2019, rumors started to circulate of the band reuniting for a 2020 tour with [[Def Leppard]] and [[Poison (American band)|Poison]], following the success of [[Guns N' Roses]]' [[Not in This Lifetime... Tour|reunion tour]]. The band responded to an online petition rallying for the group's return, saying "this is interesting...".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/motley-crue-comment-reunion-petition/|title=Motley Crue Comment on 'Interesting' Reunion Petition|first=Joe|last=DiVita|website=Loudwire|access-date=November 18, 2019|archive-date=November 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191118185549/https://loudwire.com/motley-crue-comment-reunion-petition/|url-status=live}}</ref> On November 18, ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine reported that all four band members had agreed to come back together for the tour, utilizing a loophole in their "Cessation of Touring" contract.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last1=Greene|first1=Andy|date=November 18, 2019|title=Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, Poison Set 2020 Stadium Tour|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/motley-crue-def-leppard-poison-set-2020-stadium-tour-913823/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191118190220/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/motley-crue-def-leppard-poison-set-2020-stadium-tour-913823/|archive-date=November 18, 2019|access-date=November 18, 2019|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|publisher=}}</ref> Later that same day, the band confirmed all reports with a statement on their website, posting a press release and a video of the contract being destroyed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.motley.com/news/motleycrueisback|title=MÖTLEY CRÜE IS BACK!|website=Mötley Crüe|access-date=November 18, 2019|archive-date=November 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119120657/https://www.motley.com/news/motleycrueisback|url-status=live}}</ref> On December 4, 2019, it was officially confirmed that Mötley Crüe would embark on [[The Stadium Tour]] with [[Def Leppard]], [[Poison (American band)|Poison]] and [[Joan Jett|Joan Jett & the Blackhearts]] in the summer of 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/def-leppard-motley-crue-poison-and-joan-jett-the-blackhearts-the-stadium-tour-details-revealed/|title=DEF LEPPARD, MÖTLEY CRÜE, POISON And JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS: 'The Stadium Tour' Details Revealed|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=December 4, 2019|access-date=December 5, 2019|archive-date=December 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205013528/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/def-leppard-motley-crue-poison-and-joan-jett-the-blackhearts-the-stadium-tour-details-revealed/|url-status=live}}</ref> Also in December 2019 Mick Mars announced that his debut solo album would be released in the spring of 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue's Mick Mars To Release Debut Solo Record In April 2020 |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/motley-crues-mick-mars-to-release-debut-solo-record-in-april-2020/ |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=November 29, 2019 |access-date=December 7, 2019 |archive-date=December 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203042249/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/motley-crues-mick-mars-to-release-debut-solo-record-in-april-2020/ |url-status=live}}</ref> On June 1, 2020, Mötley Crüe announced that The Stadium Tour would be rescheduled to June–September 2021 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]];<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Poison & Joan Jett and the Blackhearts Postpone North American Stadium Tour |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/9394715/motley-crue-def-leppard-poison-joan-jett-and-the-blackhearts-postpone-north-american-stadium-tour-postponed |magazine=Billboard |date=June 2020 |access-date=11 June 2020 |archive-date=June 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611163205/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/9394715/motley-crue-def-leppard-poison-joan-jett-and-the-blackhearts-postpone-north-american-stadium-tour-postponed |url-status=live}}</ref> it was postponed once again to 2022, due to similar circumstances amid the pandemic.<ref name="2022 tour"/> In January 2022, in the wake of the [[SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant|Omicron variant]] surge, Sixx was asked by a fan on Twitter if The Stadium Tour was still happening this year; his response was, "We're 1000% hitting the road with Def Leppard for The Stadium Tour in mid-June...I can't f'ckin wait..."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://metalheadzone.com/nikki-sixx-has-no-concerns-about-motley-crues-upcoming-stadium-tour/|title=Nikki Sixx Has No Concerns About Mötley Crüe's Upcoming Stadium Tour|publisher=metalheadzone.com|access-date=January 26, 2022|date=January 15, 2022}}</ref> Just prior to the start of the tour, Def Leppard guitarist [[Phil Collen]] announced that Mötley Crüe had "signed up" for another tour together in Europe, which is slated to take place in 2023;<ref>{{Cite web|title=PHIL COLLEN Says MÖTLEY CRÜE Has 'Signed Up' To Tour Europe With DEF LEPPARD In 2023|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/great-white-parts-ways-with-singer-mitch-malloy-recruits-last-in-lines-andrew-freeman|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=June 3, 2022|date=June 1, 2022}}</ref> this claim was later confirmed by Def Leppard frontman [[Joe Elliott]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Def Leppard Confirm That Stadium Tour With Mötley Crüe Will Reach Europe|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/def_leppard_confirm_that_stadium_tour_with_mtley_cre_will_reach_europe.html|website=[[Ultimate Guitar]]|access-date=July 3, 2022|date=June 27, 2022}}</ref>
In November 2021, Mötley Crüe sold their entire back catalogue to [[BMG Rights Management]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gilchrist |first=Todd |date=2021-12-06 |title=BMG Buys Mötley Crüe Catalog for $150 Million |url=https://labusinessjournal.com/media/music/bmg-buys-motley-crue-catalog-150-million/ |access-date=2022-11-12 |website=[[Los Angeles Business Journal]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
In September 2022, Neil announced in an interview with the ''Las Vegas Review-Journal'' that the band would return for a US tour in 2023. In that same interview, he also ruled out the possibility of further studio albums, stating that they were "strictly a touring band".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kielty |first1=Martin |last2=Wilkening |first2=Matthew |title=Motley Crue Hints at Future Tour Plans: 'See You in February' |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-future-tour-plans/ |access-date=September 12, 2022 |work=Ultimate Classic Rock |date=September 11, 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=MÖTLEY CRÜE Plots Another U.S. Tour In 2024, Possible Third Las Vegas Residency |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/motley-crue-plots-another-u-s-tour-in-2024-possible-third-las-vegas-residency |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |access-date=September 12, 2022 |language=en |date=September 11, 2022}}</ref>
On October 26, 2022, Mick Mars retired as a touring member of the band due to ongoing health issues, according to a statement released by Mars' publicist.<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue Guitarist Mick Mars to Retire From Touring|url=https://variety.com/2022/music/news/motley-crue-mick-mars-retire-touring-1235415269/|first1=Jem|last1=Aswad|first2=Shirley|last2=Halperin|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=October 26, 2022 |language=en |date=October 26, 2022}}</ref> The next day, the band confirmed that [[John 5 (guitarist)|John 5]] would take Mars' place as their new touring guitarist,<ref name="john5touring">{{cite web |last1=Singer |first1=Quentin |title=Mötley Crüe's Mick Mars Retires From Touring & Band Announces New Touring Guitarist |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/quentinsinger/2022/10/27/mtley-cres-mick-mars-retires-from-touring--band-announces-new-touring-guitarist/?sh=77f478ac5365 |website=Forbes |publisher=Integrated Whale Media |access-date=28 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kielty |first1=Martin |last2=Wilkening |first2=Matthew |title=It's Official: JOHN 5 Joins MÖTLEY CRÜE|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/its-official-john-5-joins-motley-crue |access-date=October 27, 2022 |work=Ultimate Classic Rock |date=October 27, 2022}}</ref> although he was later confirmed as a member of the band in April 2023.<ref name="j5member">{{cite web |last1=Lach |first1=Stef |title=Motley Crue working on new material with producer Bob Rock |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/motley-crue-working-on-new-material-with-producer-bob-rock |website=Louder Sound |access-date=April 23, 2023 |language=en |date=April 22, 2023}}</ref> In a December interview with A Radio Rock in Brazil, Sixx confirmed that the band is not going away anytime soon, and stated that the band will be touring for eight more years.<ref>{{cite web |title=NIKKI SIXX Wants MÖTLEY CRÜE To Keep Going Until At Least 2031: 'This Isn't A Final Tour' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/nikki-sixx-wants-motley-crue-to-keep-going-until-at-least-2031-this-isnt-a-final-tour |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=8 March 2023 |language=en |date=7 March 2023}}</ref>
On April 6, 2023, Mars sued the band, alleging that the band were trying to remove him.<ref name="Sued">{{cite web |last=Schaffner |first=Lauryn |title=Mick Mars Sues Mötley Crüe, Says He Was Unilaterally Removed From Band + Gaslighted |url=https://loudwire.com/mick-mars-sues-motley-crue-removed-from-band-gaslighted/ |website=[[Loudwire]] |access-date=April 6, 2023 |date=April 6, 2023}}</ref> In response to the lawsuit, the band issued a statement on the same day, denying that they had fired Mars, and that while he was still a member; had quit touring.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Willman |first1=Chris |title=Motley Crue Responds to Mick Mars’ Lawsuit, Contending He Quit After ‘Struggling to Remember Chords, Playing the Wrong Songs’; Nikki Sixx Says ‘Sad Day for Us’ |url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/motley-crue-responds-mick-mars-lawsuit-quit-resigned-performance-1235576291/ |website=Variety |access-date=April 8, 2023 |date=April 6, 2023}}</ref>
On April 19, 2023, the band announced that they are working on new music with record producer [[Bob Rock]],<ref>{{cite web |last1=DiVita |first1=Joe |title=Motley Crue Officially Recording in Studio With Big Name Producer |url=https://loudwire.com/motley-crue-recording-in-studio-producer-bob-rock/ |website=Loudwire |access-date=April 19, 2023 |language=en |date=April 19, 2023}}</ref> ruling out the possibility of the band working with Mick Mars again.<ref name="j5member"/> Sixx later released a statement on the upcoming album on May 15, 2023, stating that it had finished production and had begun mixing the album.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Horsley |first1=Jonathan |title=Mötley Crüe have finished their first studio album with John 5 – and promise it's "heavier than anything" |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/motley-crue-new-album-john-5 |website=Guitar World |access-date=May 24, 2023 |language=en |date=May 15, 2023}}</ref> In June 2023, Neil confirmed that the band is set to perform another stadium tour in 2024.<ref>{{cite web |title=Vince Neil Says MÖTLEY CRÜE Will Embark On Another Stadium Tour In 2024: 'We're Not Sure' Who Else Is 'Gonna Be On It' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/vince-neil-says-motley-crue-will-embark-on-another-stadium-tour-in-2024-were-not-sure-who-else-is-gonna-be-on-it |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=3 July 2023 |language=en |date=1 July 2023}}</ref> In July 2023, Neil confirmed that the band recorded three brand new songs.<ref>{{cite web |last=Trapp |first=Philip |title=Vince Neil Discusses New Mötley Crüe Recordings, Extending Crüe’s Stadium Tour |url=https://loudwire.com/motley-crue-new-songs-2024-tour-dates-vince-neil/ |website=[[Loudwire]] |access-date=July 5, 2023 |date=July 3, 2023}}</ref>
==Musical style==
Mötley Crüe's musical style has been described as [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]],<ref name="MC AMG"/><ref name="RivadaviaPublished">{{Cite web|first=Eduardo|last=Rivadavia|title=How Motley Crue Staked Their Claim With 'Shout at the Devil'|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/30-years-ago-motley-crues-shout-at-the-devil-released/|date=September 26, 2015|access-date=October 5, 2021|website=Ultimate Classic Rock|language=en}}</ref><ref name="sputnik genres">{{cite web |url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/9469/Motley-Crue-Dr.-Feelgood/ |title=Motley Crue - Dr. Feelgood |last=DeSylvia |first=David |website=[[Sputnikmusic]] |date=October 8, 2006 |access-date=December 20, 2014 }}</ref> [[glam metal]],<ref>{{cite web|first= Mike |last= McPadden |title= The Hair Metal 100: Ranking the '80s Greatest Glam Bands—The Final 20! |publisher= VH1 |date= 25 September 2015 |access-date= 16 July 2016 |url= http://www.vh1.com/news/209314/the-hair-metal-100-part-5/}}</ref> [[hard rock]],{{sfnm|Harrison|2011|1pp=41, 60}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/motley-crue-become-first-hard-rock-band-hold-las-vegas-residency|title=Motley Crue to Become First Hard Rock Band to Hold Las Vegas Residency|date=December 2, 2011|last=Hart|first=Josh|work=Guitar World|access-date=February 20, 2021}}</ref><ref name="sputnik genres"/> [[glam rock]],<ref name="sputnik genres"/> and [[power pop]].<ref name="sputnik genres"/> According to [[AllMusic]], "[they have] a knack for melding [[Pop music|pop]] hooks to heavy metal theatrics."<ref name="MC AMG"/> The band changed to a more [[alternative metal]] and [[grunge]] sound on ''Mötley Crüe'' (1994)<ref>{{cite web|last=Henne|first=Bruce|date=January 4, 2015|title=Corabi revisits 1994 Motley Crue album|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/corabi-revisits-1994-motley-crue-album|access-date=April 7, 2021|website=[[Louder Sound]]}}</ref> and [[industrial rock]] on ''Generation Swine'' (1997).
==Feuds==
===Metallica===
Often clashing during the early 1980s, both bands were fighting for dominance in the [[Los Angeles]] rock scene during [[Metallica]]'s primitive years prior to their relocation to the Bay Area. Both singer/guitarist [[James Hetfield]] and drummer [[Lars Ulrich]] expressed their hatred of the Hair Metal scene in Los Angeles during the time and frequently attacked multiple up-and-coming local bands in multiple interviews, including Mötley Crüe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxrcfRrNwnw|title=Metallica on the ‘80s Metal Bands They Didn’t Get Along With}}</ref> Allegedly before a show in 1982, Ulrich claimed he drunkenly screamed "Fuck Mötley Crüe!" at the band from outside the [[Troubadour (West Hollywood, California)|Troubadour]] in Hollywood, in which Sixx chased Ulrich in retaliation. Former lead guitarist [[Dave Mustaine]] during a 1983 interview had also taken aim at the band by claiming Crüe and Glam Metal were an abbreviation for "Gay LA Music".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUMSFkSFPHU|title=Dave Mustaine talks about glam rock/metal}}</ref> Though despite their public disdain for glam metal, Metallica were impressed by the production and commercial success of ''Dr. Feelgood'' in 1989, later hiring the album's producer [[Bob Rock]] to produce their [[Metallica (album)|self-titled fifth album]] in 1991. Several years later; both Sixx and Ulrich would reignite the animosity after Ulrich accused Mötley Crüe of performing to a backing track at the [[American Music Awards of 1997|1997 American Music Awards]]. Sixx responded via an online forum: ''"Dear, Sweet, Fat, Balding, Larz (love the make-up, babe!) Taking your ever-moronic soapbox position on a subject that's NONE of your fucking business has made you out to be an asshole as usual... People in glass houses should NOT throw rocks!!! considering you decided to take your bullshit to the press, we feel its only fair to return the punch!!"'' Sixx would also throw insults at Metallica's then-recent album ''[[Load (album)|Load]]'' insulting multiple members of the band for their change in sound and visual image.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rockcelebrities.net/how-the-feud-between-metallicas-lars-ulrich-and-motley-crues-nikki-sixx-started/|title=How The Feud Between Metallica’s Lars Ulrich And Mötley Crüe’s Nikki Sixx Started}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grunge.com/258187/the-truth-about-nicki-sixxs-feud-with-metallica/|title=The Truth About Nikki Sixx's Feud with Metallica}}</ref> During a 2003 interview, Sixx would strangely defend Metallica's then-latest album ''[[St. Anger]]'' by claiming ''"I have learned to have sympathy for the enemy"''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/m-tley-cr-e-bassist-defends-metallica-i-have-learned-to-have-sympathy-for-the-enemy|title=Crue Bassist Defends Metallica}}</ref> In 2006, both Tommy Lee and former Metallica bassist [[Jason Newsted]] took part in a reality show entitled ''[[Rock Star: Supernova]]'' as they would both participate in creating a supergroup while the show's premise revolved around finding a frontman via contest. During a 2011 meet-and-greet in [[Mexico City]], Hetfield was approached by a fan attacking Mötley Crüe due to their public image and frequent appearances in tabloids. Hetfield refused to directly respond to the fan's comments towards Mötley Crüe but did find humor in his insults toward the band.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUsFrHvJX_0|title=JAMES HETFIELD MEETS A MOTLEY CRUE HATER (GETS REALLY UNCOMFORTABLE/CRINGY)}}</ref> In 2015, Lee would reignite the feud when he posted a Tweet featuring a picture of Ulrich with the words "Straight Outta Tempo" superimposed over his face. Lee presumably used a meme maker intended to promote the 2015 N.W.A. biopic ''[[Straight Outta Compton (film)|Straight Outta Compton]]''. Following the post by Lee, Vince Neil had stated online that he was unaware of the feud with Metallica, however during a later interview with an [[Oregon]] radio show, Neil was again asked about the band's current relationship with Metallica and hung up on the show's host.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.contactmusic.com/vince-neil/news/vince-neil-hangs-up-on-radio-host-over-motley-crue-metallica-feud-questions_4951062|title=Vince Neil Hangs Up On Radio Host Over Motley Crue/metallica Feud Questions}}</ref> Things were alleged to have calmed down by 2017, when Hetfield appeared on Sixx's radio show 'Sixx Sense'.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsYmjoHZZTc|title=Deeper With Metallica's James Hetfield (AUDIO)}}</ref> During an interview in 2021, Sixx applauded Metallica's longevity and praised several of their releases during an interview.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rockcelebrities.net/nikki-sixx-discusses-metallicas-success-by-recalling-a-stunning-james-hetfield-moment/|title=Nikki Sixx Discusses Metallica’s Success By Recalling A Stunning James Hetfield Moment}}</ref>
===Guns N' Roses===
Though [[Guns N' Roses]] were initially hired to open for Mötley Crüe during the summer of 1987, things grew hostile between both sides in 1988 after Vince Neil alleged that then-Guns N' Roses guitarist [[Izzy Stradlin]] had assaulted his then-wife Sharisse at the famed Cathouse club, according to Neil and club owner [[Riki Rachtman]]. Things came to a breaking point at the [[1989 MTV Video Music Awards]] ironically following Mötley Crüe's presentation for the award of 'Best Metal Video' to Guns N' Roses, however; only bassist [[Duff McKagan]] and drummer [[Steven Adler]] appeared at the stage to accept the award. Following their performance with [[Tom Petty]], Neil had rushed the side of the stage and threw a punch at Stradlin before being restrained by security. Guns N' Roses frontman [[Axl Rose]] was enraged with the incident, threatening Neil after security had separated the two. During an interview in August 1990, Rose later challenged Neil to a fight during an interview with [[Kurt Loder]], claiming ''"Anytime he wants it, Atlantic City; I Don't Care, We'll put money on it."''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thethings.com/what-happened-between-axl-rose-and-vince-neil/|title=What Happened Between Axl Rose And Vince Neil?}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/bitter-feud-between-axl-rose-vince-neil/|title=The Bitter Feud Between Axl Rose and Vince Neil |first1=Arun |last1=Starkey |date=2022-07-03 |accessdate=2023-04-21}}</ref> Neil responded in early 1991 by also challenging Rose to a fight: ''"Axl if you are watching this, I want to challenge you to a fight. I'm gonna give you time and I'm gonna give you the place. There's no backing out now buddy. It's time to put up or shut up."'', later expressing his intent to possibly host the fight in an arena.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rockcelebrities.net/the-truth-behind-why-motley-crues-vince-neil-challenged-axl-rose-to-a-fight/|title=The Truth Behind Why Mötley Crüe’s Vince Neil Challenged Axl Rose To A Fight}}</ref> Reportedly, [[Eddie Van Halen]] and then-current [[Van Halen]] singer [[Sammy Hagar]] had offered money to possibly host the fight at [[Madison Square Garden]] in [[New York City]]. However, for unknown reasons, neither Rose or Neil responded to the offer. Neil claims Stradlin had called him with an apology for the incident, but the 1991 Guns N' Roses track "[[Use Your Illusion II|Shotgun Blues]]" was allegedly a [[diss track]] aimed at Neil.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZvCqR0NPYE|title=Axl Rose vs Vince Neil Feud: Guns N Roses vs Motley Crue}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://rockpasta.com/the-story-behind-axl-rose-and-vince-neils-infamous-feud/|title=The Story behind Axl Rose and Vince Neil's Feud}}</ref> Tensions were reported to have died down shortly afterwards when both Tommy Lee and former Guns N' Roses guitarist [[Gilby Clarke]] participated with former-Metallica bassist [[Jason Newsted]] in a reality show entitled 'Rockstar: Supernova' as they would contribute musical parts in the show's contest to find a vocalist of the newly formed supergroup. Things remained cordial until 2009 when Neil had lobbed insults towards Axl in response to Guns N' Roses' most recent album ''[[Chinese Democracy]]'', calling the record a flop and criticizing Rose for his management of the band at the time. In 2014, Revolver magazine honored Rose by calling him 'The World's Greatest Singer', Neil jokingly mocked the award on twitter, but deleted his response shortly afterward.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rockandrolltruestories.com/why-vince-neil-attacked-izzy-stradlin/|title=Why Motley Crue’s Vince Neil Attacked Guns N’ Roses’ Izzy Stradlin}}</ref>
===Godsmack===
The feud between [[alternative metal]] band [[Godsmack]] and Mötley Crüe stems from the two sides clashing after Godsmack was hired as one of several supporting acts for Mötley Crüe during the band's 2009 [[Crüe Fest 2]] tour. Godsmack frontman [[Sully Erna]] and drummer [[Shannon Larkin]] have claimed the feud originated from Mötley Crüe's treatment of the support bands on tour, particularly Godsmack's fans who allegedly often left venues early following their own performance. Larkin recalls in a 2011 interview with [[Loudwire]]: ''"Motley Crue's security were real weird with our guests getting backstage, like our guests might want to look at Motley Crue. Our guests were there to see us and they didn't care a shit about Mötley Crüe. Mötley Crüe is a legendary band that we all respect. When I was 17, I had 'Shout at the Devil' but it just kind of fronted us a little that they would think that our guests would be star-struck over them. So, that's where the bad blood came from."''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/godsmack-shannon-larkin-explains-sully-erna-nikki-sixx-feud/|title=Godsmack's Shannon Larkin explains Sully Erna-Nikki Sixx feud}}</ref> Sully Erna allegedly penned the 2010 track "[[Cryin' Like a Bitch]]" about Sixx in regards to his behavior towards Godsmack during the tour, though Shannon Larkin claims the song was written about former [[San Diego Chargers]] quarterback [[Philip Rivers]]. Sixx continued in a war of insults with the band as he alleged that Godsmack had asked to appear on his radio show multiple times, due to initial allegations of it being written as a [[diss track]] aimed at Sixx.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rockcelebrities.net/the-godsmack-song-written-to-attack-motley-crues-nikki-sixx/|title=The Godsmack Song Written to Attack Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx |website=rockcelebrities.net |first1=Elif |last1=Ozden |date=2021-12-26}}</ref> During a 2015 appearance on the 'Jasta Show' hosted by [[Hatebreed]] frontman [[Jamey Jasta]], Erna would attack Sixx further by calling Sixx an 'Old, Fat, Washed-Up Has-Been'. Erna continued the tirade by even challenging Sixx to a fight, claiming: ''"I'll say it straight out: I've never met a bigger fucking dick in my life than Nikki Sixx. He's a douchebag. He's straight-up a fucking douche, and I don't give a fuck what he says. He knows exactly where I am, and he knows exactly how he can find me anytime that motherfucker has the balls to come and look me up''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/godsmack-sully-erna-calls-motley-crue-nikki-sixx-old-fat-washed-up-has-been/ |first1=Joe |last1=DiVata |date=2015-11-28|title=Sully Erna Calls Nikki Sixx an 'Old, Fat, Washed Up, Has-Been}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/godsmacks-shannon-larkin-says-feud-with-motley-crue-was-caused-by-conflict-of-ego-between-sully-erna-and-nikki-sixx|title=GODSMACK's SHANNON LARKIN Says Feud With MÖTLEY CRÜE Was Caused By 'Conflict Of Ego' Between SULLY ERNA And NIKKI SIXX |date=2020-12-28}}</ref> Following the interview; Sixx responded to Erna's comments on a Facebook livestream, calling him a baby. Sixx would also claim the band would refuse any future festival dates if they were booked on the same bill as Godsmack.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grunge.com/613451/inside-godsmacks-feud-with-motley-crue/|title=Inside Godsmack's feud with Motley Crue |first1=Lorenzo |last1=Tanos |date=2021-09-23 |accessdate=2023-04-21 |website=grunge.com}}</ref>
===Steel Panther===
The comedic glam metal band [[Steel Panther]] engaged in a feud with Mötley Crüe following a tour between the two bands and [[Def Leppard]] in 2011. Numerous members of Steel Panther claim they were heavily influenced by Mötley Crüe's music, however; touring with the band exhibited a hostile environment, particularly from Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee. In the years following the tour, guitarist [[Satchel (musician)|Satchel]] claimed Tommy Lee had been rather hostile towards multiple band members due to allegations that he and singer [[Michael Starr (singer)|Michael Starr]] had sex with Lee's girlfriend at the time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://metalheadzone.com/steel-panther-star-claims-that-he-had-sex-with-motley-crue-members-wife/|title=Steel Panther Star claims he had sex with Tommy Lee's girlfriend |first1=Eren Merdan |last1=Gursoy |date=2020-01-13 |accessdate=2023-04-21}}</ref> Starr also commented on Mötley Crüe's other feud with Godsmack, claiming Sully Erna would severely beat Sixx in a fistfight.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sofa-king-cool-magazine.com/steel-panther-singer-says-sully-erna-could-punch-the-shit-out-of-nikki-sixx/|title=Sully Erna could punch the shit out of Nikki Sixx}}</ref> In a 2015 interview, Starr would claim the members of Mötley Crüe take themselves too seriously given the comedic nature of Steel Panther's music. Sixx would respond in 2016 claiming he prioritized taking his musical contributions much more seriously. During a 2018 interview, Satchel claimed ''"There are bands that hate our guts... We did a tour a few years ago with Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe"''. Things escalated in 2019 when drummer [[Stix Zadinia]] and Starr appeared in a video on the channel 'Little Punk People' where the two were asked which dead musicians they could revive; Starr jokingly claimed he wanted to bring back Vince Neil from the 1980s, enraging Sixx who later attacked Starr on twitter for his comment. Shortly following the response from Sixx, Steel Panther's band account replied with an interview Mötley Crüe gave from 1994 (whilst Neil was not a part of the band), in which Sixx and guitarist Mick Mars mocked and joked at Neil's weight following a jet ski accident.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/motley-crue-nikki-sixx-backstabbers-steel-panther/|title=Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx fires shot at 'Backstabbers' Steel Panther |first1=Graham |last1=Hartmann |date=2019-10-18 |accessdate=2023-04-21}}</ref> Though Mötley Crüe would not respond to the post, multiple band members of Steel Panther have praised Mötley Crüe's music as influential in multiple interviews afterwards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://metalinjection.net/news/feuds/steel-panther-frontman-if-i-could-bring-one-musician-back-from-the-dead-itd-be-motley-crues-vince-neil|title=Steel Panther frontman: 'If I could bring one musician back from the dead, it'd be Motley Crue's Vince Neil |first1=Robert |last1=Pasbani |date=2019-10-12 |accessdate=2023-04-21}}</ref>
=== Mick Mars ===
On October 27, 2022, cofounding guitarist Mick Mars publicly announced his retirement from touring with the band after nearly 42 years due to complications with [[Ankylosing spondylitis]], a degenerative form of inflammatory Arthritis leaving him unable to perform on tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/motley-crue-mick-mars-lawsuit-ankylosing-spondylitis/|title=Mötley Crüe guitarist Mick Mars sues band, claiming he was fired for "horrific" disease |first1=Aimee |last1=Picchi |date=2023-04-11 |accessdate=2023-04-21 |publisher=[[CBS News]]}}</ref> Shortly afterwards, the band announced longtime [[Rob Zombie]] guitarist [[John 5 (guitarist)|John 5]] would be his replacement during the ongoing tour. Famed drummer [[Carmine Appice]] who was a friend of Mars', gave an interview on March 13, 2023 to [[Ultimate Guitar]]. When asked for his thoughts on Mars' decision to retire, Appice claimed he had lost enjoyment for touring in addition to his declining health.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/carmine-appice-claims-mick-mars-wasnt-happy-on-motley-crues-the-stadium-tour|title=CARMINE APPICE Claims MICK MARS 'Wasn't Happy' On MÖTLEY CRÜE's 'The Stadium Tour'}}</ref> Enraged with the comments, Nikki Sixx responded on twitter; attacking Appice, referring to him as 'a washed up drummer'.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://guitar.com/news/music-news/nikki-sixx-refutes-carmine-appice-mick-mars-claims/|title=Nikki Sixx tears into Carmine Appice over claims that Mick Mars ‘wasn’t happy’ with Mötley Crüe}}</ref> Following Sixx's comments; Mars would begin to attack the band during an interview with [[Variety Magazine]] published April 6, 2023, claiming the band's severance payout was 'laughable' as his royalties had allegedly been cut to 7.5% as a result of his retirement. Mars further claimed he was forced to retire as opposed to being fired by the band based on their own displeasure with his medical ailments.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/08/arts/music/mick-mars-motley-crue-lawsuit.html|title=Mötley Crüe Guitarist’s Lawsuit Says He Was Kicked Out}}</ref> On April 7, 2023, Mars publicly filed a lawsuit against Mötley Crüe in the [[Los Angeles County Superior Court]] for unpaid royalties, claiming the band had severely cut his touring royalty agreement from 25% to 5% as a direct result of his retirement. The band's representative Sasha Frid had revealed claims that a 2008 legal agreement signed by all four bandmembers had documented that no resigning participants would receive the same compensation attributable to live performances or merchandise sales if a particular member had chosen to quit the band.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/04/12/motley-crue-vs-mick-mars-what-know-contentious-dispute/11652494002/|title=Mötley Crüe sued by guitarist Mick Mars: What to know about the rock band's civil war}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/mick-mars-on-motley-crue-lawsuit-i-carried-these-bastards-for-years-3427753|title=Mick Mars on Mötley Crüe lawsuit: "I carried these bastards for years"}}</ref> Mars' attorney Ed McPherson publicly attacked the band in a statement due to their failure to reveal updated financial documents in regards to Mars' payout agreement following his retirement in October. According to Mars' accounts in the lawsuit; he claims that the band had also forced him to sell off his remaining share in the band, labeling their behavior as 'bullying'. Nikki Sixx would make a public statement on twitter expressing his disappointment with the lawsuit but offered his public support for Mars nonetheless. Following this statement Mars would further attack the band in a Variety article, taking aim at Lee and Neil for their previous legal incidents and alleged the band had been performing with a backing track throughout the tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/motley-crue-lawsuit-mick-mars-explained-lawyer-manager-1235580026/|title=Unpacking Motley Crue’s Mess: Manager Slams Mick Mars’ ‘Smear Campaign’; Guitarist’s Lawyer Says He Is 'Tired of Being Bullied' (EXCLUSIVE)}}</ref> As of July 2023, the matter remained in litigation.
===John Corabi===
Following the firing of Vince Neil in 1992, Mötley Crüe would hire John Corabi as their new lead singer prior to the recording of their 1994 self-titled album. Fan reactions were mixed due to the uncharted nature of the band's change in sound with Corabi, in addition to their new stylistic direction of the 1990s. As the band began writing for their upcoming seventh album ''[[Generation Swine]]'', tensions over the album's creative direction began to surface between the band and Corabi. Corabi blamed much of the poor songwriting and production on Nikki Sixx's leadership while Sixx blamed Corabi for being unable to write songs fluidly. The band had previously hired new manager Allen Kovac in 1994 prior to the release of the self-titled album, however the mixed response to the record in addition to backlash towards Corabi from longtime fans proved to be strenuous on the band's public image, resulting in the band firing Corabi during the recording process of ''Generation Swine''. The band were forced by management and fan responses to rehire Neil, however; tensions with Corabi remained hostile for multiple years following the split. Corabi would later sue the band in 1997 due to removal of his songwriting credits on the album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/john-corabi-explains-his-1997-lawsuit-against-motley-crue-im-not-anybodys-doormat|title=John Corabi Explains His 1997 Lawsuit Against MÖTLEY CRÜE: 'I'm Not Anybody's Doormat'}}</ref> Despite the tensions; Corabi took part in a short-lived supergroup with Sixx entitled [[Brides of Destruction]] with former [[L.A. Guns]] guitarist [[Tracii Guns]] in 2003. Corabi later outlined his tensions with Sixx would resurface during the project and would attack Sixx during multiple public interviews for his poor leadership and even insulted his playing abilities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rockcelebrities.net/ex-motley-crue-singer-john-corabi-reflects-on-his-feud-with-nikki-sixx/|title=Ex-Mötley Crüe Singer John Corabi Reflects On His Feud With Nikki Sixx}}</ref> Following guitarist Mick Mars' lawsuit against the band in 2023, Corabi expressed his support for Mars while criticizing the band's poor financial decisions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2022/11/30/john-corabi-thinks-motley-crue-is-lying-about-mick-mars-retirement-statement/|title=John Corabi Thinks Mötley Crüe is Lying About Mick Mars Retirement Statement}}</ref>
==Legacy==
Music critic [[Martin Popoff]]'s book ''[[The Top 500 Heavy Metal Songs of All Time]]'' lists seven of the band's songs in its ranking.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Popoff |first1=Martin |title=The Top 500 Heavy Metal Songs of All Time |date=2003 |publisher=ECW Press |isbn=9781550225303}}</ref> Mötley Crüe was ranked tenth on MTV's list of "Top 10 Heavy Metal Bands of All-Time" and ninth on "VH1's All Time Top Ten Metal Bands".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/metal/greatest_metal_bands/071406/index11.jhtml |title=MTVNews.com: The Greatest Metal Bands Of All Time |publisher=Mtv.com |date=March 9, 2006 |access-date=June 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100728022458/http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/metal/greatest_metal_bands/071406/index11.jhtml |archive-date=July 28, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> Music website [[Loudwire]] named the band the 22nd greatest metal band of all time.<ref>{{cite web |title=Top 50 Metal Bands of All Time |url=https://loudwire.com/top-metal-bands-of-all-time/ |website=Loudwire |access-date=December 8, 2019 |archive-date=December 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208190751/https://loudwire.com/top-metal-bands-of-all-time/ |url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' named ''Shout at the Devil'' the 11th best metal album of all time.<ref>{{cite web |title=40 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time |url=https://www.spin.com/2019/10/best-metal-albums/ |website=Spin |date=October 30, 2019 |access-date=8 December 2019 |archive-date=December 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205130627/https://www.spin.com/2019/10/best-metal-albums/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2013 ''[[LA Weekly]]'' named the band the 3rd best "hair metal" band of all time.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Steininger |first1=Adam |title=The 15 Best Hair Metal Bands of All Time |url=https://www.laweekly.com/the-15-best-hair-metal-bands-of-all-time/ |website=L.A. Weekly |date=September 3, 2013 |access-date=December 8, 2019 |archive-date=November 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106100643/https://www.laweekly.com/the-15-best-hair-metal-bands-of-all-time/ |url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone magazine|Rolling Stone]]'' named ''Too Fast For Love'' the 22nd best metal album of all time.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The 100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/the-100-greatest-metal-albums-of-all-time-113614/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=June 21, 2017 |access-date=8 December 2019 |archive-date=November 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191114041408/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/the-100-greatest-metal-albums-of-all-time-113614/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2006, the band received a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue Gets Hollywood Walk of Fame Star |url=https://www.tmz.com/2006/01/25/motley-crue-gets-hollywood-walk-of-fame-star/ |website=TMZ |access-date=8 December 2019 |archive-date=December 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208162921/https://www.tmz.com/2006/01/25/motley-crue-gets-hollywood-walk-of-fame-star/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2014, the tribute album ''[[Nashville Outlaws: A Tribute to Mötley Crüe|Nashville Outlaws]]'' was released, featuring country music stars including [[Rascal Flatts]], [[LeAnn Rimes]] and [[Darius Rucker]] covering various Mötley Crüe songs.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Nashville Outlaws: A Tribute to Mötley Crüe |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/nashville-outlaws-a-tribute-to-motley-crue-93314/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=August 19, 2014 |access-date=8 December 2019 |archive-date=December 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208151912/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/nashville-outlaws-a-tribute-to-motley-crue-93314/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The album debuted at number 2 on the ''Billboard'' Country Album chart and number 5 on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Grien |first1=Paul |title=Chart Watch: Nashville Salutes…Motley Crue?!! |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/blogs/chart-watch/chart-watch-nashville-salutes-motley-crue-170929070.html |website=Yahoo! Music |access-date=8 December 2019 |archive-date=December 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208151906/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/blogs/chart-watch/chart-watch-nashville-salutes-motley-crue-170929070.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
==Band members==
'''Current members'''<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Ultimate Classic Rock StaffUltimate Classic Rock |title=Motley Crue Lineup Changes: A Complete Guide |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-lineup-changes/ |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Nikki Sixx]] – bass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals {{small|(1981–2002, 2004–2015, 2018–present)}}
* [[Tommy Lee]] – drums, piano, backing vocals {{small|(1981–1999, 2004–2015, 2018–present)}}
* [[Vince Neil]] – lead vocals, rhythm guitar {{small|(1981–1992, 1997–2002, 2004–2015, 2018–present)}}
* [[John 5 (guitarist)|John 5]] — lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals {{small|(2023–present; touring 2022–2023)}}<ref name="john5touring"/><ref name=":3"/><ref name="j5member"/>
'''Current touring musicians'''
*Laura D'Anzieri — backing vocals, dancer {{small|(2022–present)}}<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Shover |first=Joel |date=2022-08-10 |title=Stadium Tour Makes Historic Run in Boston’s Fenway Park {{!}} Live Music News |url=https://livemusicnewsandreview.com/2022/08/stadium-tour-makes-historic-run-in-bostons-fenway-park/ |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=livemusicnewsandreview.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=JANES |first=THÉODEN |date=30 June 2022 |title=Review: Did Def Leppard-Motley Crue-Poison-Joan Jett concert (finally) go as planned? |work=The Charlotte Observer |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainment/music-news-reviews/article262768648.html}}</ref>
*Bailey Swift — backing vocals, dancer {{small|(2022–present)}}<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" />
*Hannah Sutton — backing vocals, dancer {{small|(2022–present)}}<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" />
'''Former members<ref name=":0" />'''
* [[Greg Leon]] — lead and rhythm guitars, lead vocals {{small|(1981)}}<ref name="UCR" /><ref name="Greg Leon interview" /><ref name="Ozemail" />
* [[Mick Mars]] — lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals {{small|(1981–2002, 2004–2015, 2018–2023; retired from touring 2022–2023)}}<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=2023-02-11 |title=Watch: MÖTLEY CRÜE Plays First Concert With New Guitarist JOHN 5 |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/watch-motley-crue-plays-first-concert-with-new-guitarist-john-5 |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref>
* Michael White — lead vocals {{small|(1981)}}<ref name="Notorious" />
* [[John Corabi]] — lead vocals, rhythm guitar, bass guitar {{small|(1992–1997)}}
* [[Randy Castillo]] — drums {{small|(1999–2000; died 2002)}}
'''Former touring musicians'''
* Emi Canyn — backing vocals {{small|(1987–1991; died 2017)}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=RIP … Emi Canyn Mars, former Motley Crue backup singer and ex-wife to Mick Mars has passed away |url=https://metalsludge.tv/rip-emi-canyn-mars-former-motley-crue-backup-singer-and-ex-wife-to-mick-mars-has-passed-away/ |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=Metal Sludge |language=en}}</ref>
* Donna McDaniel — backing vocals {{small|(1987–1991)}}<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=mag |first=rock candy |date=25 November 2017 |title=motley-crue |url=https://www.rockcandymag.com/storage/app/media/latest-issue/issue5/motley-crue.pdf |magazine=rockcandymag |pages=69, 71 |access-date=13 February 2023}}</ref>
* Jozie DiMaria — dancer {{small|(1999, 2005–2006)}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metalsludge.tv/?p=27175 |title=3-Wind with Nikki Sixx, 10/8/01 |work=Metal Sludge |access-date=October 7, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011231046/http://www.metalsludge.tv/?p=27175 |archive-date=October 11, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Pearl Aday]] — backing vocals {{small|(2000)}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nwitimes.com/entertainment/music/pearl-aday-follows-in-father-s-footsteps/article_1b65bc1f-c82b-588b-bbb6-ae6e8a558bfa.html |title=Pearl Aday follows in father's footsteps |first=Tom Lounges – Times |last=Correspondent |access-date=February 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914094301/https://www.nwitimes.com/entertainment/music/pearl-aday-follows-in-father-s-footsteps/article_1b65bc1f-c82b-588b-bbb6-ae6e8a558bfa.html |archive-date=September 14, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Samantha Maloney]] — drums {{small|(2000–2002)}}<ref name=":0" />
* [[Will Hunt]] — drums {{Small|(2006, 2007, 2008)}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=2022-02-06 |title=EVANESCENCE's WILL HUNT On Filling In For TOMMY LEE On MÖTLEY CRÜE Tour: 'There Was An Immense Amount Of Pressure To Pull It Off' |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/evanescences-will-hunt-on-filling-in-for-tommy-lee-on-motley-crue-tour-there-was-an-immense-amount-of-pressure-to-pull-it-off/ |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Rose Blabbermouth" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Yeniocak |first=Su |date=2022-02-08 |title=Will Hunt Admits Using Cheat Sheet Notes To Replace Tommy Lee In Mötley Crüe |url=https://rockcelebrities.net/will-hunt-admits-using-cheat-sheet-notes-to-replace-tommy-lee-in-motley-crue/ |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=Rock Celebrities |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Morgan Rose]] — drums {{small|(2009)}}<ref name="Rose Blabbermouth">{{Cite web |date=August 16, 2009 |title=Mötley Crüe With Sevendust's Morgan Rose: First Video Footage Posted Online |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/m-tley-cr-e-with-sevendust-s-morgan-rose-first-video-footage-posted-online/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413123353/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/m-tley-cr-e-with-sevendust-s-morgan-rose-first-video-footage-posted-online/ |archive-date=April 13, 2014 |access-date=April 16, 2014 |publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]. [[Roadrunner Records]] |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name=":0" />
* Allison Kyler — backing vocals, dancer {{small|(2011–2015)}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sludge |first=Metal |title=Crue back-up singer Allison Kyler spills her Motley guts. {{!}} Metal Sludge |url=https://metalsludge.tv/classic/?p=35198 |access-date=2023-02-12 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":6" />
* Annalisia Simone — backing vocals, dancer {{small|(2011)}}<ref name=":6">{{Citation |last=auburn_reporter |title=Mötley Crüe |date=2012-08-18 |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/38030354@N05/7841557368/ |access-date=2023-02-12}}</ref>
* [[Sofia Toufa]] — backing vocals, dancer {{small|(2012–2015)}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lindquist |first=David |title=In Indianapolis, Motley Crue limps toward finish line |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/entertainment/music/2014/07/06/motley-crue-indiana-dirt-final-klipsch-mick-mars-nikki-sixx/12264829/ |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=The Indianapolis Star |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Tommy Clufetos]] — drums {{small|(2022; substitute for Tommy Lee)}}<ref name="Heavy Consequence Staff">{{Cite web |title=Tommy Lee Exits Mötley Crüe's Reunion Tour Kickoff Five Songs into Set Due to Broken Ribs: Watch |publisher=[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]]. |date=June 16, 2022 |access-date=June 17, 2022 |url=https://consequence.net/2022/06/tommy-lee-motley-crue-tour-kickoff-broken-ribs/ |df=mdy-all}}</ref>
'''Timeline'''
{{#tag:timeline|
ImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:22
PlotArea = left:110 bottom:100 top:10 right:10
Alignbars = justify
DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy
Period = from:01/01/1981 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}}
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4
ScaleMajor = increment:3 start:1981
ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1981
Colors =
id:lvocals value:red legend:Lead_vocals
id:lguitar value:teal legend:Lead_guitar
id:rguitar value:green legend:Rhythm_guitar
id:bass value:blue legend:Bass_guitar
id:keys value:purple legend:Keyboards
id:drums value:orange legend:Drums
id:dance value:claret legend:Dancer
id:bvocals value:pink legend:Backing_vocals
id:touring value:yellow legend:Touring_member
id:studio value:black legend:Studio_albums
id:live value:gray(0.6) legend:Live_release_recordings
id:bars value:gray(0.95)
BackgroundColors = bars:bars
BarData =
bar:Michael text:"Michael White"
bar:Vince text:"Vince Neil"
bar:John text:"John Corabi"
bar:Greg text:"Greg Leon"
bar:Mick text:"Mick Mars"
bar:John5 text:"John 5"
bar:Nikki text:"Nikki Sixx"
bar:Tommy text:"Tommy Lee"
bar:Randy text:"Randy Castillo"
bar:Samantha text:"Samantha Maloney"
bar:Will text:"Will Hunt"
bar:Morgan text:"Morgan Rose"
bar:Clufetos text:"Tommy Clufetos"
bar:Jozie text:"Jozie DiMaria"
bar:Emi text:"Emi Canyn"
bar:Donna text:"Donna McDaniel"
bar:Pearl text:"Pearl Aday"
bar:Allison text:"Allison Kyler"
bar:Simone text:"Annalisia Simone"
bar:Sofia text:"Sofia Toufa"
bar:Laura text:"Laura D'Anzieri"
bar:Bailey text:"Bailey Swift"
bar:Hannah text:"Hannah Sutton"
LineData =
layer:back color:live
at:04/24/1981 #Live in Starwood
at:11/19/1982 #Live: Entertainment or Death
at:05/29/1983 #U.S. Rock Festival
at:03/14/1984
at:11/25/1985
at:10/15/1987 #Live in Tacoma
at:07/31/1990
at:07/10/1994 #Live in Nobleswille, IN
at:07/12/1994 #Live in Weedsport, NY
at:12/02/1998
at:03/10/1999
at:04/27/2005 #Carnival of Sins
at:12/31/2015 #The End: Live in Los Angeles
<!--Unmarked dates also included in Live: Entertainment or Death-->
color:studio
at:11/10/1981 #Too Fast to Love
at:09/26/1983 #Shout in the Devil
at:06/21/1985 #Theater of Pain
at:05/15/1987 #Girls, Girls, Girls
at:09/01/1989 #Dr. Feelgood
at:03/15/1994 #Mötley Crüe
at:06/24/1997 #The Final Swing
at:07/11/2000 #New Tattoo
at:06/24/2008 #Saints of Los Angeles
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color:lvocals
bar:Greg from:start till:03/14/1981 width:3
bar:Michael from:03/15/1981 till:03/31/1981
bar:Vince from:04/01/1981 till:02/15/1992
bar:John from:03/01/1992 till:02/14/1997
bar:Vince from:02/15/1997 till:11/19/2002
bar:Vince from:09/01/2004 till:12/31/2015
bar:Vince from:09/13/2018 till:end
color:lguitar
bar:Greg from:start till:03/14/1981
bar:Mick from:03/15/1981 till:11/19/2002
bar:Mick from:09/01/2004 till:12/31/2015
bar:Mick from:09/13/2018 till:10/26/2022
bar:Mick from:10/27/2022 till:04/07/2023 width:7
bar:John5 from:10/27/2022 till:end
color:rguitar
bar:Greg from:start till:03/14/1981 width:7
bar:Mick from:03/15/1981 till:08/28/1989 width:7
bar:Vince from:09/01/1989 till:02/15/1992 width:3
bar:John from:03/01/1992 till:06/14/1993 width:3
bar:John from:06/15/1993 till:01/14/1994 width:7
bar:John from:01/15/1994 till:02/14/1997 width:3
bar:Mick from:02/15/1997 till:06/30/1997 width:7
bar:Vince from:07/01/1997 till:12/31/1999 width:3
bar:Mick from:01/01/2000 till:05/26/2000 width:7
bar:Vince from:06/10/2000 till:11/19/2002 width:3
bar:Vince from:09/01/2004 till:12/31/2005 width:3
bar:Mick from:01/01/2006 till:06/30/2008 width:7
bar:Vince from:07/01/2008 till:12/31/2015 width:3
bar:Vince from:09/13/2018 till:end width:3
color:bass
bar:Nikki from:start till:11/19/2002
bar:Nikki from:09/01/2004 till:12/31/2015
bar:John from:06/15/1993 till:01/14/1994 width:3
bar:Nikki from:09/13/2018 till:end
color:keys
bar:Nikki from:01/01/1985 till:04/30/1985 width:7
bar:Tommy from:01/01/1985 till:12/31/1987 width:7
bar:Nikki from:05/15/1987 till:02/15/1992 width:7
bar:Nikki from:06/15/1993 till:01/14/1994 width:7
bar:Tommy from:03/01/1992 till:01/15/1999 width:7
bar:Tommy from:09/01/2012 till:12/31/2015 width:7
bar:Tommy from:09/13/2018 till:end width:7
color:drums
bar:Tommy from:start till:01/15/1999
bar:Randy from:02/01/1999 till:05/26/2000
bar:Samantha from:06/10/2000 till:11/19/2002
bar:Tommy from:09/01/2004 till:12/31/2015
bar:Will from:04/01/2006 till:04/30/2006
bar:Will from:06/01/2007 till:06/30/2007
bar:Morgan from:08/16/2009 till:09/30/2009
bar:Tommy from:09/13/2018 till:end
bar:Clufetos from:06/17/2022 till:10/26/2022
color:dance
bar:Jozie from:02/01/1999 till:12/31/1999
bar:Jozie from:01/01/2005 till:12/31/2006
bar:Allison from:01/01/2011 till:12/31/2015 width:7
bar:Simone from:01/01/2011 till:12/31/2011 width:7
bar:Sofia from:01/01/2012 till:12/31/2015 width:7
bar:Laura from:01/01/2022 till:end width:7
bar:Bailey from:01/01/2022 till:end width:7
bar:Hannah from:01/01/2022 till:end width:7
color:bars
bar:John from:04/07/2023 till:04/07/2023
color:bvocals width:3
bar:Mick from:03/15/1981 till:11/19/2002
bar:Tommy from:09/15/1981 till:11/30/1981
bar:Nikki from:04/15/1983 till:11/19/2002
bar:Tommy from:04/15/1983 till:01/15/1999
bar:Emi from:01/01/1987 till:12/31/1991 width:11
bar:Donna from:01/01/1987 till:12/31/1991 width:11
bar:Pearl from:06/10/2000 till:12/31/2000 width:11
bar:Nikki from:09/01/2004 till:12/31/2015
bar:Tommy from:09/01/2004 till:12/31/2015
bar:Mick from:09/01/2004 till:12/31/2015
bar:Allison from:01/01/2011 till:12/31/2015 width:11
bar:Simone from:01/01/2011 till:12/31/2011 width:11
bar:Sofia from:01/01/2012 till:12/31/2015 width:11
bar:Nikki from:09/13/2018 till:end
bar:Tommy from:09/13/2018 till:end
bar:Mick from:09/13/2018 till:04/07/2023
bar:Laura from:01/01/2022 till:end width:11
bar:Bailey from:01/01/2022 till:end width:11
bar:Hannah from:01/01/2022 till:end width:11
bar:John5 from:10/27/2022 till:end
color:touring width:3
bar:Emi from:01/01/1987 till:12/31/1991
bar:Donna from:01/01/1987 till:12/31/1991
bar:Emi from:01/01/1987 till:12/31/1991
bar:Donna from:01/01/1987 till:12/31/1991
bar:Jozie from:02/01/1999 till:12/31/1999
bar:Pearl from:06/10/2000 till:12/31/2000
bar:Samantha from:06/10/2000 till:11/19/2002
bar:Jozie from:01/01/2005 till:12/31/2006
bar:Will from:04/01/2006 till:04/30/2006
bar:Will from:06/01/2007 till:06/30/2007
bar:Morgan from:08/16/2009 till:09/30/2009
bar:Allison from:01/01/2011 till:12/31/2015
bar:Simone from:01/01/2011 till:12/31/2011
bar:Sofia from:01/01/2012 till:12/31/2015
bar:Laura from:01/01/2022 till:end
bar:Bailey from:01/01/2022 till:end
bar:Hannah from:01/01/2022 till:end
bar:Clufetos from:06/17/2022 till:10/26/2022
bar:John5 from:10/27/2022 till:04/07/2023 width:7
}}
==Awards and nominations==
{{main|List of awards and nominations received by Mötley Crüe}}
==Discography==
{{Main|Mötley Crüe discography}}
<!--ONLY studio albums belong here. See Mötley Crüe's full discography (Decade of Decadence, Red, White & Crüe, The Dirt, Quaternary, etc.) at its own article.-->
* ''[[Too Fast for Love]]'' (1981)
* ''[[Shout at the Devil]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Theatre of Pain]]'' (1985)
* ''[[Girls, Girls, Girls (Mötley Crüe album)|Girls, Girls, Girls]]'' (1987)
* ''[[Dr. Feelgood (album)|Dr. Feelgood]]'' (1989)
* ''[[Mötley Crüe (album)|Mötley Crüe]]'' (1994)
* ''[[Generation Swine]]'' (1997)
* ''[[New Tattoo]]'' (2000)
* ''[[Saints of Los Angeles]]'' (2008)
==Tours==
<!-- Only the band's tours in which they headlined or co-headlined should be placed here. Do not add concert tours that they supported another band on. -->
* 1981: ''Anywhere, USA'' Tour
* 1981–1982: ''Boys in Action'' Tour
* 1982: ''Crüesing Through Canada'' Tour
* 1983-1984: ''Shout at the Devil Tour''
* 1985–1986: ''Welcome to the Theatre of Pain'' Tour
* 1987: ''Girls, Girls, Girls'' Tour
* 1989–1990: ''Dr. Feelgood World'' Tour
* 1991: ''Monsters of Rock'' Tour
* 1994: ''Anywhere There's Electricity'' Tour
* 1997: ''Live Swine Listening Party'' Tour
* 1997: ''Mötley Crüe vs. The Earth'' Tour
* 1998–1999: ''Greatest Hits'' Tour
* June–September 1999: ''Maximum Rock'' Tour
* 1999: ''Welcome to the Freekshow'' Tour
* 2000: ''Maximum Rock 2000'' Tour
* 2000: ''New Tattoo'' Tour
* 2005: ''Red, White & Crüe ... Better Live Than Dead'' Tour
* 2005–2006: ''Carnival of Sins'' Tour
* 2007: ''Mötley Crüe'' Tour
* July–August 2008: ''[[Crüe Fest]]'' Tour
* October 2008{{Snd}} July 2009: ''Saints of Los Angeles'' Tour
* July–September 2010: ''[[Crüe Fest 2]]'' Tour
* 2010: ''The Dead of Winter'' Tour
* 2010: ''[[Ozzfest#2010|Ozzfest]]'' Tour
* 2011: ''Glam-A-Geddon'' Tour
* October 2011: ''Mötley Crüe 30th Anniversary'' Tour
* 2011: ''Mötley Crüe England'' Tour
* 2012: ''European'' Tour
* July 2012–March 2013: ''[[The Tour (Kiss and Mötley Crüe)|The Tour]]''
* April–July 2013: ''North American Tour''
* July 2014{{Snd}} December 2015: ''[[Mötley Crüe Final Tour|The Final Tour]]''
* June 2022–September 2022: ''[[The Stadium Tour]]''
* February 2023–August 2023: ''[[The World Tour]]''
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
==References==
===Citations===
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
{{sister project links|d=Q486688|c=category:Mötley Crüe|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|wikt=no|s=no|m=no|mw=no|species=no}}
* {{Official website|http://www.motley.com}}
* {{Curlie|Arts/Music/Bands_and_Artists/M/Motley_Crue/}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20190718025928/http://cruetube.com/ Mötley Crüe Videos]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20190116004225/http://www.cruefest.com/ Mötley Crüe Tour Page]
* [https://www.flickr.com/photos/melodicrockconcerts/sets/72157624592560715/ Mötley Crüe live photo gallery]
* [https://www.playslots.net/motley-crue/ Mötley Crüe Slot Machine]
{{Mötley Crüe}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Motley Crue}}
[[Category:Mötley Crüe| ]]
[[Category:1981 establishments in California]]
[[Category:2015 disestablishments in California]]
[[Category:Elektra Records artists]]
[[Category:Glam metal musical groups from California]]
[[Category:Hard rock musical groups from California]]
[[Category:Heavy metal musical groups from California]]
[[Category:Kerrang! Awards winners]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2015]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1981]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Musical groups reestablished in 2018]]
[[Category:Musical quartets]]
[[Category:Roadrunner Records artists]]' |
New page wikitext, after the edit (new_wikitext) | '{{Short description|American heavy metal band}}
{{About||the band's 1994 album|Mötley Crüe (album)|the similarly-named Post Malone song|Motley Crew (song)|the 1950s and 1960s jazz and R&B band called Motley Crew|Frank Motley}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
| name = Mötley Crüe
| image = Mötley Crüe, Sweden Rock 2012.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Mötley Crüe performing live in 2012, from left to right: [[Vince Neil]], [[Nikki Sixx]] (background), [[Tommy Lee]] (foreground), [[Mick Mars]]
| landscape = yes
| background = group_or_band
| origin = [[Hollywood, California]], U.S.
| genre = {{flatlist|
* [[Heavy metal music|Heavy metal]]
* [[glam metal]]
* [[hard rock]]}}
| years_active = {{hlist|1981–2002|2004–2015|2018–present}}
| label = {{flatlist|
* [[Mötley Records|Mötley]]
* [[Beyond Music|Beyond]]
* [[Eleven Seven Music]]
* [[Elektra Records|Elektra]]
* [[Leathür Records|Leathür]]
* {{nowrap|[[Warner Music Group]]}}
}}
| website = {{Official URL}}
| current_members =
* [[Nikki Sixx]]
* [[Tommy Lee]]
* [[Vince Neil]]
* [[John 5 (guitarist)|John 5]]
| past_members =
* [[Greg Leon]]
* [[Mick Mars]]
* Michael White
* [[John Corabi]]
* [[Randy Castillo]]
}}
'''Mötley Crüe''' is an American [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]]<!--- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THIS WITHOUT CONSENSUS ON THE TALK PAGE.---> band formed in [[Hollywood, California]] <!--- IF YOU ARE CHANGING THIS DATE,---> in 1981<!--- YOU MUST HAVE A SOURCE CONSIDERED MORE RELIABLE THAN ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE --->.<ref name="MC AMG">{{cite web |last=Leahey |first=Andrew |title=Mötley Crüe Biography |publisher=[[AllMusic]]. [[All Media Guide]] ([[Rovi Corporation|Rovi]]) |access-date=April 16, 2014 |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=mötley-crüe-mn0000500992/biography|pure_url=yes}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/all-in-the-name-of-rock-and-roll-on-the-road-with-moetley-cruee-19870813 |title=All in the Name of Rock and Roll: On the Road with Mötley Crüe |last=Handelman |first=David |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=August 13, 1987 |access-date=December 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310154233/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/all-in-the-name-of-rock-and-roll-on-the-road-with-moetley-cruee-19870813 |archive-date=March 10, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="LA Times">{{cite web |last=D. Kennedy |first=Gerrick |title=Motley Crue calls it quits, announces 'final' tour |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=January 28, 2014 |access-date=April 16, 2014 |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-motley-crue-calls-it-quits-announces-final-tour-20140128,0,5738163.story#axzz2z3oZ93GX |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426043616/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-motley-crue-calls-it-quits-announces-final-tour-20140128,0,5738163.story#axzz2z3oZ93GX |archive-date=April 26, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}</ref> The group was founded by bassist [[Nikki Sixx]], drummer [[Tommy Lee]] and guitarist/lead vocalist [[Greg Leon]].<ref name="UCR">{{Cite web |last=Kielty |first=Martin |title=Introducing Motley Crue’s Early Mystery Man, Greg Leon |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-greg-leon/ |access-date=2023-02-13 |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Greg Leon interview">{{cite web |url=http://www.sleazeroxx.com/interviews/leon.shtml |title=Greg Leon interview |publisher=Sleaze Roxx |date=March 25, 2007 |access-date=October 15, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719085910/http://www.sleazeroxx.com/interviews/leon.shtml |archive-date=July 19, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Ozemail">{{cite web |url=http://members.l.com.au/~cruekiss/81.htm |title=Chronological Crüe |publisher=Members.ozemail.com.au |date=October 15, 2010}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> After some time, Leon was replaced by guitarist [[Mick Mars]] and lead vocalist Michael White respectively.<ref name="Notorious">''The Dirt: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band'', by Mötley Crüe and Neil Strauss (pp. 36–37), {{ISBN|0-06-098915-7}}</ref> The latter was soon replaced by [[Vince Neil]]. Mötley Crüe has sold over 100 million albums worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kshe95.com/media/ten-things/10-things-you-might-not-know-about-motley-crue |title=10 Things You Might Not Know About Mötley Crüe |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803170659/http://www.kshe95.com/media/ten-things/10-things-you-might-not-know-about-motley-crue |archive-date=August 3, 2017 |url-status=dead |access-date=July 19, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://loudwire.com/motley-crue-founded-anniversary/ |title=36 Years Ago: Nikki Sixx Forms Motley Crue |website=Loudwire.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628055425/http://loudwire.com/motley-crue-founded-anniversary/ |archive-date=June 28, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://loudwire.com/kids-mixed-reactions-motley-crue/ |title=Kids Have Mixed Reactions Reflecting on the Music of Motley Crue |website=Loudwire.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719135927/http://loudwire.com/kids-mixed-reactions-motley-crue/ |archive-date=July 19, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> They have also achieved seven platinum or multi-platinum certifications, nine Top 10 albums on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart (including 1989's ''[[Dr. Feelgood (album)|Dr. Feelgood]]'', which is Mötley Crüe's only album to reach number one), twenty-two Top 40 mainstream rock hits, and six Top 20 pop singles.<ref name="About Mötley Crüe">{{cite web |url=https://www.motley.com/about-motley-crue |title=About Mötley Crüe |website=Mötley Crüe |language=en-US |access-date=2019-06-08 |archive-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608115030/https://www.motley.com/about-motley-crue |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Mötley Crüe Chart History |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/motley-crue/chart-history/tlp/ |magazine=Billboard.com |access-date=June 3, 2019 |archive-date=April 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423155538/https://www.billboard.com/music/Motley-Crue/chart-history/billboard-200 |url-status=live}}</ref> The band has experienced several lineup changes over the years, leaving Sixx as the only constant member; these included the introduction of lead vocalist [[John Corabi]] (who was Neil's replacement from 1992 to 1996) and drummers [[Randy Castillo]] and [[Samantha Maloney]], both of whom filled in for Lee following his departure from Mötley Crüe in 1999; he returned to the band in 2004. In October 2022, after 41 years of service, Mars announced his retirement from touring with the band, with former [[Marilyn Manson (band)|Marilyn Manson]] and [[Rob Zombie]] guitarist [[John 5 (guitarist)|John 5]] replacing him.
The members of Mötley Crüe have often been noted for their [[Hedonism|hedonistic]] lifestyles and the [[androgynous]] personae they maintained. Following the hard rock and heavy metal origins on the band's first two albums, ''[[Too Fast for Love]]'' (1981) and ''[[Shout at the Devil]]'' (1983), the release of its third album ''[[Theatre of Pain]]'' (1985) saw Mötley Crüe joining [[Glam metal#First wave (1981–1986)|the first wave of glam metal]].<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MBEZBL7Dr7YC&pg=PA40 |pages=40–1 |last=Harrison |first=Thomas |title=Music of the 1980s |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2011 |isbn=9780313366000 |access-date=January 8, 2015 |archive-date=May 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150517162823/https://books.google.com/books?id=MBEZBL7Dr7YC&pg=PA40 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/style/pop-metal-ma0000002785 |title=Pop-Metal |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=May 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531001552/http://www.allmusic.com/style/pop-metal-ma0000002785 |archive-date=May 31, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}</ref> The band has also been known for their elaborate live performances, which feature flame thrower guitars, roller coaster drum kits, and heavy use of pyrotechnics (fireworks) (including lighting Sixx on fire).<ref name="About Mötley Crüe"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Way |first=Nicole |title=Motley Crue Rockumentary 1990 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuxlJfbIVmM |website=YouTube |access-date=November 13, 2020 |archive-date=December 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207094000/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuxlJfbIVmM |url-status=live}}</ref> Mötley Crüe's last studio album, ''[[Saints of Los Angeles]]'', was released on June 24, 2008. What was planned to be the band's final show took place on New Year's Eve, December 31, 2015. The concert was filmed for a theatrical and [[Blu-ray]] release in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.motley.com/news/ |title=Mötley Crüe's Final Tour |publisher=Motley.com |access-date=October 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012154745/http://www.motley.com/news/ |archive-date=October 12, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Nikki Sixx Officially Announces The End of Motley Crue |url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/nikki_sixx_officially_announces_the_end_of_motley_crue.html |publisher=Ultimate Guitar |access-date=March 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315210544/http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/nikki_sixx_officially_announces_the_end_of_motley_crue.html |archive-date=March 15, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>
After two-and-a-half years of inactivity, Neil announced in September 2018 that Mötley Crüe had reunited and was working on new material.<ref name="blabbermouth neil">{{cite news |title=MÖTLEY CRÜE Is Recording Four New Songs, Says VINCE NEIL |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/motley-crue-is-recording-four-new-songs-says-vince-neil/ |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=September 13, 2018 |access-date=September 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913210823/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/motley-crue-is-recording-four-new-songs-says-vince-neil/ |archive-date=September 13, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="blabbermouth sixx">{{cite news |title=NIKKI SIXX Confirms New MÖTLEY CRÜE Music Is Being Recorded For 'The Dirt' Movie, Says Songs Are 'Ball-Busters' |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/nikki-sixx-confirms-new-motley-crue-music-is-being-recorded-for-the-dirt-movie-says-songs-are-ball-busters/ |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=September 14, 2018 |access-date=September 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914194758/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/nikki-sixx-confirms-new-motley-crue-music-is-being-recorded-for-the-dirt-movie-says-songs-are-ball-busters/ |archive-date=September 14, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> On March 22, 2019, the band released four new songs on the [[The Dirt Soundtrack|soundtrack]] for its [[Netflix]] biopic ''[[The Dirt (film)|The Dirt]]'', based on the band's ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' best-selling [[The Dirt|autobiography of the same name]]. The soundtrack went to number one on the [[iTunes]] All Genres Album Chart,<ref name="Headline Planet">{{cite news |last1=Cantor |first1=Brian |title=Motley Crue's "The Dirt" Soundtrack Earns #1 On US iTunes Sales Chart; Jenny Lewis, Dean Lewis Top 3 |url=https://headlineplanet.com/home/2019/03/22/motley-crues-the-dirt-soundtrack-earns-1-on-us-itunes-sales-chart-jenny-lewis-dean-lewis-top-3/ |access-date=8 April 2019 |work=Headline Planet |date=March 23, 2019 |archive-date=March 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323201457/https://headlineplanet.com/home/2019/03/22/motley-crues-the-dirt-soundtrack-earns-1-on-us-itunes-sales-chart-jenny-lewis-dean-lewis-top-3/ |url-status=live}}</ref> number 3 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' Top Album and Digital Album sales charts,<ref name="BB2">{{cite magazine |title=The Dirt (Soundtrack) |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/motley-crue/chart-history/digital-albums/song/1128072 |access-date=23 April 2019 |magazine=Billboard |date=April 6, 2019 |archive-date=May 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517014355/https://www.billboard.com/music/motley-crue/chart-history/digital-albums/song/1128072 |url-status=dead}}</ref> number 10 on the ''Billboard'' 200, and Top 10 worldwide.<ref name="Deadline">{{cite news |last1=Fleming |first1=Mike Jr. |title=Netflix Mötley Crüe Film 'The Dirt' Pumps Up Band's Music Sales |url=https://deadline.com/2019/03/netflix-motley-crue-film-the-dirt-pumps-up-music-sales-1202584854/ |access-date=23 April 2019 |work=Deadline |date=March 28, 2019 |archive-date=April 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402030713/https://deadline.com/2019/03/netflix-motley-crue-film-the-dirt-pumps-up-music-sales-1202584854/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The autobiography returned to [[the New York Times Best Seller list|''New York Times'' Best Seller list]] at number 6 on Nonfiction Print and number 8 on Nonfiction Combined Print & E-Book.<ref name="iheart">{{cite news |last1=Magnotta |first1=Andrew |title=Mötley Crüe's 'The Dirt' Book Is Back On 'NY Times Best Sellers' List |url=https://www.iheart.com/content/2019-04-04-mtley-cres-the-dirt-book-is-back-on-ny-times-best-sellers-list/ |access-date=23 April 2019 |work=iheart.com |date=April 4, 2019 |archive-date=April 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423021349/https://www.iheart.com/content/2019-04-04-mtley-cres-the-dirt-book-is-back-on-ny-times-best-sellers-list/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Mötley Crüe embarked on its [[The Stadium Tour|first major tour in seven years]] in the summer and fall of 2022, co-headlining a North American tour with [[Def Leppard]].<ref name="2022 tour">{{cite web |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/motley-crues-the-stadium-tour-def-leppard-and-poison-officially-postponed-until-2022/ |title=MÖTLEY CRÜE's 'The Stadium' Tour With DEF LEPPARD And POISON Officially Postponed Until 2022 |work=Blabbermouth |date=May 14, 2021}}</ref>
==History==
===1981–1983: Early history and ''Too Fast for Love''===
Mötley Crüe was formed on January 17, 1981, when bassist [[Nikki Sixx]] left the band [[London (heavy metal band)|London]] and began rehearsing with drummer [[Tommy Lee]] and guitarist/lead vocalist [[Greg Leon]].<ref name="Ozemail" /> Lee had previously worked with Leon in a band called Suite 19<ref name="Greg Leon interview" /> and the trio practiced together for some time; Leon eventually decided not to continue with them. Sixx and Lee then began a search for new members and soon met guitarists Robin Moore (Jeff Gill)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.answers.com/Q/How_was_Jeff_Gill_related_to_the_band_Motley_Crue_I_was_told_he_played_or_helped_form_or_was_manager_of_the_band_in_the_beginning_years |title=How was Jeff Gill related to the band Motley Crue I was told he played or helped form or was manager of the band in the beginning years? |website=[[Answers.com]] |access-date=January 18, 2021 |archive-date=November 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106135858/http://www.answers.com/Q/How_was_Jeff_Gill_related_to_the_band_Motley_Crue_I_was_told_he_played_or_helped_form_or_was_manager_of_the_band_in_the_beginning_years |url-status=live}}</ref> and Bob Deal, better known as [[Mick Mars]], after answering an advertisement that he placed in ''[[The Recycler]]'' that read: "Loud, rude and aggressive guitar player available". Mars auditioned for Sixx, Moore and Lee, and was subsequently hired while Moore was fired at the same session according to the band's biography ''The Dirt''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wake |first1=Matt |title=10 Rock Classifieds That Changed Music History |url=https://www.laweekly.com/10-rock-classifieds-that-changed-music-history/ |website=L.A. Weekly |date=February 24, 2015 |access-date=3 January 2020 |archive-date=January 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103193534/https://www.laweekly.com/10-rock-classifieds-that-changed-music-history/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
Although a lead vocalist named O'Dean was auditioned,<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://loudwire.com/motley-crue-too-fast-for-love-anniversary/ |title=37 Years Ago: Mötley Crüe Release ''Too Fast for Love'' |first=Joe |last=Divita |magazine=[[Loudwire]] |date=November 10, 2018 |access-date=March 25, 2019 |archive-date=March 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325101249/https://loudwire.com/motley-crue-too-fast-for-love-anniversary/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G3Bb4LYafKsC&q=%22O%27Dean%22+motley+crue&pg=PA380 |page=380 |first=Cesare |last=Rizzi |title=Enciclopedia della musica rock. 3. 1981–1989, Volume 3 |isbn=88-09-01796-X |publisher=Giunti Editore Firenze Italy |year=2000 |language=it |access-date=November 18, 2020 |archive-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202225656/https://books.google.com/books?id=G3Bb4LYafKsC&q=%22O%27Dean%22+motley+crue&pg=PA380 |url-status=live}}</ref> Lee had known [[Vince Neil]] from their high school days at [[Charter Oak High School]] in [[Covina, California]],<ref>{{cite news |title=It's not end of the line for Vince Neil |url=https://www.heraldpalladium.com/features/it-s-not-end-of-the-line-for-vince-neil/article_c10fbf58-860f-54d5-ba44-c54446595a12.html |newspaper=The Herald Palladium |access-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617170228/https://www.heraldpalladium.com/features/it-s-not-end-of-the-line-for-vince-neil/article_c10fbf58-860f-54d5-ba44-c54446595a12.html |url-status=live}}</ref> and the two had performed in different bands on the [[garage band]] circuit. Upon seeing him perform with the band Rock Candy at the Starwood in Hollywood, California, Lee suggested they have Neil join the band. At first Neil refused the offer.
On the same day as Mars, lead vocalist Michael White, who previously played with [[Nikki Sixx]] in the band London, joined the band.<ref name="Notorious" /> But White eventually ended up leaving too.
As the other members of Rock Candy became involved in outside projects, Vince Neil grew anxious to try something else.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mötley Crüe's Vince Neil |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/621038/mtley-cres-vince-neil/ |website=MTV |access-date=3 January 2020 |archive-date=January 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103194808/http://www.mtv.com/news/621038/mtley-cres-vince-neil/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Lee asked again; Neil was hired on April 1, 1981, and the band played its first gig at the Starwood nightclub on April 24.<ref>{{cite web |title=On the Eve of Mötley Crüe's Final Shows, a Look Back at Their Very First Gig |url=https://www.laweekly.com/on-the-eve-of-mtley-cres-final-shows-a-look-back-at-their-very-first-gig/ |website=LA Weekly |date=December 30, 2015 |access-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617132120/https://www.laweekly.com/on-the-eve-of-mtley-cres-final-shows-a-look-back-at-their-very-first-gig/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
{{Quote box
| quote = I wanted a band that would be like [[David Bowie]] and the [[Sex Pistols]] thrown in a blender with [[Black Sabbath]].
| source = —Nikki Sixx<ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.latimes.com/1997-06-22/entertainment/ca-5662_1_motley-crue-bracelets/2 |title=It's Not a Reunion |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=June 22, 1997 |access-date=December 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221030433/http://articles.latimes.com/1997-06-22/entertainment/ca-5662_1_motley-crue-bracelets/2 |archive-date=December 21, 2016 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}</ref>
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The newly formed band did not yet have a name. Sixx has said that he told his bandmates that he was "thinking about calling the band "Christmas". The other members were not very receptive to that idea. Then, while trying to find a suitable name, Mars remembered an incident that occurred when he was playing with a band called White Horse, when one of the other band members called the group "a motley looking crew". He had remembered the phrase and later copied it down as 'Mottley Cru'. After modifying the spelling slightly, "Mötley Crüe" was eventually selected as the band's name, with the stylistic decision suggested by Neil to add the two sets of [[metal umlaut]]s, supposedly inspired by the German beer [[Löwenbräu]], which the members were drinking at the time.<ref>{{cite web |title=38 Years Ago: Nikki Sixx Forms Motley Crue |url=https://loudwire.com/motley-crue-founded-anniversary/ |website=Loudwire.com |access-date=November 18, 2019 |archive-date=November 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111070449/https://loudwire.com/motley-crue-founded-anniversary/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Other than the periods of February 1992 to September 1996 and of March 1999 to September 2004, the lineup of Neil, Sixx, Lee, and Mars remained the same.<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue Lineup Changes: A Complete Guide |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-lineup-changes/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617132312/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-lineup-changes/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
The band soon met its first manager, Allan Coffman, the thirty-eight-year-old brother-in-law of a friend of Mars's driver.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://members.ozemail.com.au/~cruekiss/81.htm |title=Chronological Crue |publisher=Members.ozemail.com.au |access-date=October 15, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101019034117/http://members.ozemail.com.au/~cruekiss/81.htm |archive-date=October 19, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The band's first release was the single "Stick to Your Guns/Toast of the Town", which was released on its own record label, [[Leathür Records]], which had a pressing and distribution deal with Greenworld Distribution in [[Torrance, California]]. On November 10, 1981, its debut album ''[[Too Fast for Love]]'' was self-produced and released on Leathür, selling 20,000 copies. Coffman's assistant [[Eric Greif]] set up a tour of Canada,<ref>[http://members.ozemail.com.au/~cruekiss/82.htm ''1982'', Chronological Crue] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090915223349/http://members.ozemail.com.au/~cruekiss/82.htm |date=September 15, 2009}} . Retrieved October 2, 2009.</ref> while Coffman and Greif used Mötley Crüe's success in the Los Angeles club scene to negotiate with several record labels, eventually signing a recording contract with [[Elektra Records]] in early 1982. The debut album was then re-mixed by producer [[Roy Thomas Baker]] and re-released on August 20, 1982—two months after its Canadian [[Warner Music Group]] release using the original Leathür mixes—to coincide with the tour.<ref>{{cite web |title=How Motley Crue Kickstarted Hair Metal on 'Too Fast for Love' |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-too-fast-for-love/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617125254/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-too-fast-for-love/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
{{Quote box
| quote = Listening to [[Queen (band)|Queen]] inspired Mötley Crüe to work with Roy Thomas Baker on ''[[Too Fast for Love]]''. He would come in, "Hello Darlings ..." and listen for maybe thirty minutes or so and leave. And we're like, "What?! Where's he going?". But he produced Queen, so, man, we had to have him produce us, too.
| source = —Tommy Lee<ref>Phil Sutcliffe, Peter Hince, Reinhold Mack. ''Queen: The Ultimate Illustrated History of the Crown Kings of Rock''. p. 27. Voyageur Press, 2009.</ref>
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During the "Crüesing Through Canada Tour '82", there were several widely publicized incidents. First, the band was arrested and then released at [[Edmonton International Airport]] for wearing their spiked stage wardrobe (considered "dangerous weapons") through customs, and for Neil arriving with a small carry-on filled with porn magazines (considered "indecent material"); both were staged [[Public relations|PR]] stunts. Customs eventually had the confiscated items destroyed. Second, while playing Scandals Disco in [[Edmonton]], a spurious "bomb threat" against the band made the front page of the ''[[Edmonton Journal]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/info/library.html |title=Edmonton Journal Library |publisher=Canada.com |access-date=October 15, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100301085948/http://www2.canada.com/edmontonjournal/info/library.html |archive-date=March 1, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> on June 9, 1982; Lee and assistant band manager Greif were interviewed by police as a result. This too ended up being a staged PR stunt perpetrated by Greif. Lastly, Lee threw a television set from an upper story window of the Sheraton Caravan Hotel. Canadian rock magazine ''Music Express'' noted that the band was "banned for life" from the city.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Patch |first1=Nick |title=Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx describes being kicked out of Canada in the '80s |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/motley-crue-s-nikki-sixx-describes-being-kicked-out-of-canada-in-the-80s-1.2202166 |website=CTV News |date=January 23, 2015 |access-date=3 January 2020 |archive-date=January 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103194246/https://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/motley-crue-s-nikki-sixx-describes-being-kicked-out-of-canada-in-the-80s-1.2202166 |url-status=live}}</ref> Despite the tour ending prematurely in financial disaster, it was the basis for the band's first international press.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sleazeroxx.com/interviews/greif.shtml |title=Eric Greif Interview |publisher=Sleaze Roxx |date=April 28, 2007 |access-date=October 15, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929001925/http://www.sleazeroxx.com/interviews/greif.shtml |archive-date=September 29, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 1983, the band changed management from Coffman to Doug Thaler and [[Doc McGhee]]. McGhee is best known for managing [[Bon Jovi]] and later [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]], starting with their [[Alive/Worldwide Tour|reunion tour]] in 1996. Greif subsequently sued all parties in a Los Angeles Superior Court action that dragged on for several years, and coincidentally later re-surfaced as manager of Sixx's former band, [[London (heavy metal band)|London]]. Coffman himself was sued by several investors to whom he had sold "stock in the band", including [[Michigan]]-based Bill Larson. Coffman eventually declared bankruptcy, as he had mortgaged his home at least three times to cover band expenses.<ref>{{cite web |title=Views - Too Fast Perspective |url=http://members.ozemail.com.au/~cruekiss/exclusive.htm |website=Chronological Crue |access-date=29 December 2019 |archive-date=September 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922035214/http://members.ozemail.com.au/~cruekiss/exclusive.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>
===1983–1991: International fame and addiction struggles===
"Too Fast For Love", the title track from the band's debut album, was reportedly recorded over a span of three days while the band members were under the [[influence of alcohol]]. The band became rapidly successful in the United States after playing at the [[US Festival]] on May 29, 1983,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Edwards |first1=Gavin |title=Flashback: Motley Crue Rocks the US Festival in 1983 |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/news/flashback-motley-crue-rocks-us-festival-1983-191800424-rolling-stone.html |website=Yahoo! Entertainment |access-date=22 June 2020 |archive-date=June 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625042808/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/news/flashback-motley-crue-rocks-us-festival-1983-191800424-rolling-stone.html |url-status=live}}</ref> and also with the aid of the new medium of [[MTV]]. Their second album, ''[[Shout at the Devil]]'', was released on September 26, 1983.<ref>{{cite web |title=Shout at the Devil - Mötley Crüe |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/shout-at-the-devil-mw0000190978 |website=Allmusic |access-date=June 20, 2019 |archive-date=July 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704052331/https://www.allmusic.com/album/shout-at-the-devil-mw0000190978 |url-status=live}}</ref> The album represented the band's mainstream breakthrough and would eventually be certified 4× platinum.<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue |url=http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Generation%20Swine&artist=Motley%20Crue&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924153013/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Generation%20Swine&artist=Motley%20Crue&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2015-09-24 |website=Recording Industry Association of America}}</ref> The album generated controversy for its [[Shout at the Devil (song)|title track]] and album imagery, both of which invoked [[Satanism]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Motley Crue farewell tour: Nikki Sixx shares stories behind the songs |url=https://ew.com/article/2015/12/22/motley-crue-nikki-sixx-stories-behind-songs/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=3 January 2020 |archive-date=January 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103172214/https://ew.com/article/2015/12/22/motley-crue-nikki-sixx-stories-behind-songs/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=How Motley Crue Staked Their Claim With 'Shout at the Devil' |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/30-years-ago-motley-crues-shout-at-the-devil-released/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=3 January 2020 |archive-date=March 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328005242/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/30-years-ago-motley-crues-shout-at-the-devil-released/ |url-status=live}}</ref> They then gained the attention of then-former [[Black Sabbath]] singer [[Ozzy Osbourne]] and found themselves opening for Osbourne on his 1984 [[Bark at the Moon Tour|tour]] for ''[[Bark at the Moon]]''. The band members were well known for their backstage antics, outrageous clothing, extreme high-heeled boots, heavily applied make-up, and seemingly endless abuse of alcohol and drugs.<ref>{{cite web |title=35 Years Ago: Ozzy Osbourne and Motley Crue Start Debauched Tour |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/ozzy-osbourne-motley-crue-1984-tour/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=June 20, 2019 |archive-date=June 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620141256/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/ozzy-osbourne-motley-crue-1984-tour/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
The band members also had their share of run ins with the law. On December 8, 1984, Neil was driving home from a liquor run in his [[De Tomaso Pantera]] which ended in a head-on collision; his passenger, [[Hanoi Rocks]] drummer [[Razzle (musician)|Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley]], was killed.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Day Hanoi Rocks Drummer Razzle Was Killed in a Car Crash |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/razzle-hanoi-rocks-killed/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617164456/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/razzle-hanoi-rocks-killed/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Neil, charged with a [[Driving under the influence|DUI]] and [[Manslaughter#Vehicular or intoxication manslaughter|vehicular manslaughter]], was sentenced to 30 days in jail (although he served only 18 days) and subsequently was sued for $2,500,000. The short jail term was negotiated by his lawyers, enabling Neil to tour and pay the civil suit.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rock 'n' Roller's Song Sobered by Fatal Crash |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-07-21-cb-7225-story.html |newspaper=LA Times |date=July 21, 1985 |access-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617164454/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-07-21-cb-7225-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
The band's third album ''[[Theatre of Pain]]'' was released on June 21, 1985 and dedicated in Dingley's honor, and it started a new [[glam metal]] phase in the band's style.<ref>Harrison 2011, p. 40.</ref> ''Theatre of Pain'' was commercially successful, reaching number 6 on the Billboard album charts<ref>{{cite web |title=Artist Chart History - Motley Crue |url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/312021/m-tley-cr-e/chart?page=1&f=305 |website=Official Charts |access-date=9 December 2019 |archive-date=May 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504163253/https://www.billboard.com/artist/312021/m-tley-cr-e/chart?page=1&f=305 |url-status=live}}</ref> and eventually being certified quadruple platinum.<ref>{{cite web |title=RIAA Searchable Database: search for Motley Crue |url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Generation%20Swine&artist=Motley%20Crue&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |website=RIAA |access-date=9 December 2019 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924153013/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Generation%20Swine&artist=Motley%20Crue&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |url-status=live}}</ref> However, the recording of the album was fraught with tension in the wake of Neil's accident and Sixx's growing addiction,<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue's 'Theatre of Pain' at 30: Classic Track-by-Track |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/6605561/motley-crues-theatre-of-pain-30-anniversary |website=Billboard.com |access-date=12 December 2019 |archive-date=August 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802183151/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/6605561/motley-crues-theatre-of-pain-30-anniversary |url-status=live}}</ref> and members of the band have said that they consider it a creative disappointment.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vaziri |first1=Aidin |title=Mötley Crüe's Vince Neil reflects on 30-year run |url=https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Motley-Crue-s-Vince-Neil-reflects-on-30-year-run-2368449.php |website=SF Gate |date=June 12, 2011 |access-date=12 December 2019 |archive-date=December 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212130201/https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Motley-Crue-s-Vince-Neil-reflects-on-30-year-run-2368449.php |url-status=live}}</ref>
Mötley Crüe spent most of the next year on a [[Theatre of Pain Tour|world tour]] in support of ''Theatre of Pain''. In February 1986 in [[London]], [[England]] Sixx suffered a near-fatal heroin overdose, and the person who sold him the drugs dumped his unconscious body in a [[dumpster]]. The incident inspired Sixx to write the song "Dancing on Glass" for their next album.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Greatest 80s Song Inspired By An Overdose And A Rock Star Left For Dead |url=https://culturacolectiva.com/music/nikki-sixx-motley-crue-dancing-on-glass |website=Culture Collectiva |date=September 15, 2017 |access-date=29 December 2019 |archive-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202225655/https://culturacolectiva.com/music/nikki-sixx-motley-crue-dancing-on-glass |url-status=live}}</ref>
The band's fourth album, ''[[Girls, Girls, Girls (Mötley Crüe album)|Girls, Girls, Girls]]'', was released on May 15, 1987 and debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200.<ref>{{cite web |title=Girls, Girls, Girls - Mötley Crüe |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/girls-girls-girls-mw0000194959 |website=Allmusic |access-date=June 20, 2019 |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626224624/https://www.allmusic.com/album/girls-girls-girls-mw0000194959 |url-status=live}}</ref> Sixx has said in interviews that he believes the album would have debuted at number 1 if not for behind the scenes maneuvering by [[Whitney Houston]]'s record label.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nikki Sixx Isn't So Sure Whitney Houston Fairly Beat Mötley Crüe for a Number 1 Album |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7890233/motley-crue-girls-girls-girls-album-anniversary-nikki-sixx |website=Billboard.com |access-date=June 20, 2019 |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626224623/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7890233/motley-crue-girls-girls-girls-album-anniversary-nikki-sixx |url-status=live}}</ref> The band again changed their look for the album and subsequent tour, trading the glam elements of the previous album for a [[Outlaw motorcycle club|biker]] aesthetic.<ref>{{cite web |title=Revisiting Motley Crue's Game-Changing 'Girls, Girls, Girls' |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-girls-girls-girls-25th-anniversary/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=16 December 2019 |archive-date=December 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216162551/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-girls-girls-girls-25th-anniversary/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The band faced many of the same personal issues that plagued the recording of ''Theatre of Pain'' and Sixx has complained that those issues compromised the album's quality,<ref>{{cite web |title=32 Years Ago: Motley Crue Release 'Girls, Girls, Girls' |url=https://loudwire.com/motley-crue-release-girls-girls-girls-anniversary/ |website=Loudwire |access-date=16 December 2019 |archive-date=October 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019034026/https://loudwire.com/motley-crue-release-girls-girls-girls-anniversary/ |url-status=live}}</ref> although he has spoken more positively about the record in subsequent years.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Nikki Sixx on Motley Crue's 'Girls, Girls, Girls' at 30 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/motley-crue-on-girls-girls-girls-at-30-it-was-like-caligula-121895/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=August 24, 2017 |access-date=16 December 2019 |archive-date=September 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929102840/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/motley-crue-on-girls-girls-girls-at-30-it-was-like-caligula-121895/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
On December 23, 1987, Sixx suffered a heroin overdose. He was declared clinically dead on the way to the hospital, but the paramedic, who was a Crüe fan, [[cardiopulmonary resuscitation|revived]] Sixx with two shots of adrenaline.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mötley Crüe and the Real Story of Nikki Sixx's Overdose: Going Beyond 'The Dirt' |url=https://www.newsweek.com/motley-crue-nikki-sixx-overdose-dirt-1368786 |website=Newsweek |date=March 22, 2019 |access-date=June 20, 2019 |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626224639/https://www.newsweek.com/motley-crue-nikki-sixx-overdose-dirt-1368786 |url-status=live}}</ref> His two minutes in death were the inspiration for the song "[[Kickstart My Heart]]", which peaked at No. 16 on the Mainstream U.S. chart, and which was featured on 1989's ''[[Dr. Feelgood (album)|Dr. Feelgood]]'', their first U.S. number one album. From 1986 to 1987, Sixx kept a daily diary of his heroin addiction and eventually entered rehab in January 1988.
In 1988, controversy again hit the band in the form of a lawsuit by Matthew Trippe. Trippe claimed that Sixx was hospitalized in 1983 after a car crash involving drugs and that he had been hired as Sixx's [[doppelgänger]]. The suit was regarding the loss of royalties from his time in Mötley Crüe and the case was not closed until 1993 when Trippe dropped his charges and disappeared from public view.<ref name="weebly1988">{{cite web |url=http://klassickerranginterviews.weebly.com/matthew-trippe---may-1988.html |title=Matthew Trippe – May 1988 – Klassic Kerrang Interviews |publisher=Klassickerranginterviews.weebly.com |date=December 10, 1993 |access-date=February 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130108161123/http://klassickerranginterviews.weebly.com/matthew-trippe---may-1988.html |archive-date=January 8, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
Their decadent lifestyles almost shattered the band until managers Thaler and McGhee pulled an intervention and refused to allow the band to tour in Europe, fearing that "some [of them] would come back in bodybags".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Whalen |first1=Andrew |title=Mötley Crüe and the Real Story of Nikki Sixx's Overdose: Going Beyond 'The Dirt' |url=https://www.newsweek.com/motley-crue-nikki-sixx-overdose-dirt-1368786 |website=Newsweek |date=March 22, 2019 |access-date=15 December 2019 |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626224639/https://www.newsweek.com/motley-crue-nikki-sixx-overdose-dirt-1368786 |url-status=live}}</ref> Shortly after, all the band members jointly entered [[drug rehabilitation]] in an effort to move forward as a band.<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue Remembers 'Dr. Feelgood' on Its 30th Anniversary |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8530014/motley-crue-dr-feelgood-anniversary-30-years |website=Billboard.com |access-date=15 December 2019 |archive-date=December 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216005921/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8530014/motley-crue-dr-feelgood-anniversary-30-years |url-status=live}}</ref>
After finding sobriety, Mötley Crüe reached its peak popularity with the release of their fifth album, the [[Bob Rock]]-produced ''[[Dr. Feelgood (album)|Dr. Feelgood]]'', on September 1, 1989. Rock and the band recorded the album in [[Vancouver]], with the band members recording their parts separately for the first time to reduce infighting and to focus on individual performance. [[Aerosmith]] lead singer [[Steven Tyler]], who was recording the album ''[[Pump (album)|Pump]]'' at the same studio, provided backing vocals.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Basner |first1=Dave |title=20 Things You Might Not Know About Motley Crue's 'Dr. Feelgood' |url=https://www.iheart.com/content/20-things-you-might-not-know-about-motley-crues-dr-feelgood-2017-08-30/ |website=iHeartRadio |access-date=29 December 2019 |archive-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202225657/https://www.iheart.com/content/20-things-you-might-not-know-about-motley-crues-dr-feelgood-2017-08-30/ |url-status=live}}</ref> On October 14 of that year, it became a No. 1 album and stayed on the charts for 114 weeks after its release.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nikki Sixx Biography|url=http://www.biography.com/people/nikki-sixx-20854163|website=Biography.com|access-date=January 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208191631/http://www.biography.com/people/nikki-sixx-20854163|archive-date=February 8, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The band members each stated in interviews that, due in no small part to their collective push for sobriety, ''Dr. Feelgood'' was their most solid album musically to that point.<ref>{{cite web |title=10 Facts You May Not Have Known About Motley Crue's 'Dr. Feelgood' |url=https://loudwire.com/facts-about-motley-crue-dr-feelgood/ |website=Loudwire |access-date=29 December 2019 |archive-date=December 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220035604/https://loudwire.com/facts-about-motley-crue-dr-feelgood/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The title track and "Kickstart My Heart" were both nominated for Grammys in the Best Hard Rock Category in 1990 and 1991, respectively, but lost both years to songs by [[Living Colour]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/grammy/hardrock.htm |title=Grammy Awards: Best Hard Rock Performance |publisher=Rock on the Net |access-date=June 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312094206/http://www.rockonthenet.com/grammy/hardrock.htm |archive-date=March 12, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> The band did find some success at the [[American Music Award]]s, as ''Dr. Feelgood'' was nominated twice for Favorite Hard Rock/Metal Award, losing once to [[Guns N' Roses]]' ''[[Appetite for Destruction]]'', but winning the following year, beating out [[Aerosmith]]'s ''[[Pump (album)|Pump]]'' and [[Poison (American band)|Poison]]'s ''[[Flesh & Blood (Poison album)|Flesh & Blood]]''. Mötley Crüe was also nominated twice for Favorite Hard Rock/Metal Artist.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/amas/metal.htm |title=American Music Awards: Favorite Heavy Metal / Hard Rock Artist |publisher=Rock on the Net |access-date=June 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100726012225/http://www.rockonthenet.com/amas/metal.htm |archive-date=July 26, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 1989, McGhee was fired after the band alleged he had broken several promises that he made in relation to the [[Moscow Music Peace Festival]], including giving his other band, [[Bon Jovi]], advantages in terms of slot placement. Thaler then assumed the role of sole band manager.<ref>{{cite web |title=That Time Western Rockers Played the Moscow Music Peace Festival |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/moscow-music-peace-festival/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=June 21, 2019 |archive-date=June 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621114933/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/moscow-music-peace-festival/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
The band spent the fall of 1989 and most of 1990 on a massive world tour, the band's biggest to that point. It was a major financial success but left the band feeling burnt out.<ref>{{cite web |title=How Motley Crue Hit a New Peak With 'Dr. Feelgood' |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-dr-feelgood/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=3 January 2020 |archive-date=March 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329144907/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-dr-feelgood/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In April 1990, Lee suffered a concussion during a mishap involving a rappelling drum kit stunt during a live concert in [[New Haven, Connecticut]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue Drummer Injured During Concert |url=https://www.apnews.com/e06e3e42abb126a5f147b7109ad97de5 |website=Associated Press |access-date=June 20, 2019 |archive-date=June 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620183943/https://www.apnews.com/e06e3e42abb126a5f147b7109ad97de5 |url-status=live}}</ref>
On October 1, 1991, the band's first compilation album, ''[[Decade of Decadence 81-91]]'', was released. It peaked at No. 2 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] album chart. It was reportedly designed as "just something for the fans" while the band worked on the next "all new" album.<ref>{{cite web |title=Decade of Decadence - Motley Crue |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/decade-of-decadence-mw0000265080/releases |website=Allmusic |access-date=June 15, 2019 |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626224632/https://www.allmusic.com/album/decade-of-decadence-mw0000265080/releases |url-status=live}}</ref>
===1992–2003: Years of turmoil===
Vince Neil left the band in February 1992 following the release of ''Decade of Decadence'', during a period in which most other prominent [[glam metal]] bands of the 1980s were breaking up or otherwise seeing their popularity decline significantly amid the advent of [[grunge]] and [[Alternative rock|alternative]] music. It remains unclear whether Neil was fired or quit the band. Sixx has long maintained that Neil quit, while Neil insists that he was fired. "Any band has its little spats," Neil observed in 2000, "and this one basically just stemmed from a bunch of 'fuck yous' in a rehearsal studio. It went from 'I quit' to 'You're fired' ... It was handled idiotically. The management just let one of the biggest bands in the world break up."<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Dave |last=Ling |title=We are lüdicröus! |magazine=[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]] #12 |date=March 2000 |page=48}}</ref>
In the running for the vacant frontman position was [[Kik Tracee]] vocalist [[Stephen Shareaux]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.latimes.com/1992-03-01/entertainment/ca-5376_1_motley-crue |title=Vince Neil Goes Away From Motley Crue—Mad |last=Hochman |first=Steve |date=March 1, 1992 |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=May 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512233828/http://articles.latimes.com/1992-03-01/entertainment/ca-5376_1_motley-crue |archive-date=May 12, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://musiclegends.ca/stephen-shareaux-interview/ |title=Stephen Shareaux Interview {{!}} KIK TRACEE frontman {{!}} June 2017 |date=June 22, 2017 |work=Music Legends Online |access-date=May 21, 2018 |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522041823/https://musiclegends.ca/stephen-shareaux-interview/ |archive-date=May 22, 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Ultimately Neil was replaced by [[John Corabi]] (formerly of [[Angora (band)|Angora]] and [[The Scream (band)|the Scream]]). Although Mötley's [[Mötley Crüe (album)|self-titled]] March 1994 release made the ''Billboard'' top ten (#7), the album was a commercial failure. It also prompted negative reactions from many fans due to Neil's absence and its sound. Corabi suggested the band bring back Neil, believing the latter would always be seen as the voice of the band. This eventually resulted in his own firing in 1996.<ref>{{cite web |title=What John Corabi Learned From Being Fired by Motley Crue |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/john-corabi-fired-motley-crue/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616175554/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/john-corabi-fired-motley-crue/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Corabi spoke about his time with the band and his thoughts on the first record with Mötley Crüe. Corabi said: "my record was the first record that they had done that didn't go platinum, didn't make some sort of crazy noise, and everybody panicked".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rawmusictv.com/article/2019/How-John-Corabi-saved-Motley-Crue-with-their-1994-hard-rock-album-that-failed |title=How John Corabi saved Mötley Crüe with their 1994 hard rock album that failed |date=March 9, 2019 |access-date=March 9, 2019 |df=mdy-all |archive-date=March 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331181746/https://www.rawmusictv.com/article/2019/How-John-Corabi-saved-Motley-Crue-with-their-1994-hard-rock-album-that-failed |url-status=live}}</ref> During his time away from the band, Neil released a moderately successful solo album, ''[[Exposed (Vince Neil album)|Exposed]]'' in 1993,<ref>{{cite web |title=Exposed - Vince Neil |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/exposed-mw0000618629 |website=Allmusic |access-date=7 December 2019 |archive-date=April 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411171827/https://www.allmusic.com/album/exposed-mw0000618629 |url-status=live}}</ref> and a less commercially successful follow-up, ''[[Carved in Stone (Vince Neil album)|Carved in Stone]]'' in 1995.<ref>{{cite web |title=Carved in Stone - Vince Neil |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/carved-in-stone-mw0000644971 |website=Allmusic |access-date=7 December 2019 |archive-date=January 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127102341/https://www.allmusic.com/album/carved-in-stone-mw0000644971 |url-status=live}}</ref>
After Rolling Stone magazine broke out the news in their November 26 1996 issue, the band reunited with Neil in 1997,<ref>{{cite book |title=Bang Your Head: The Rise and Fall of Heavy Metal |first=David |last=Konow |publisher=Random House Digital, Inc. |year=2009 |page=346 |isbn=9780307565600}}</ref> after their current manager, Allen Kovac, and Neil's manager, Bert Stein, set up a meeting between Neil, Lee, and Sixx. Agreeing to "leave their egos at the door", the band released ''[[Generation Swine]]''. Although it debuted at No. 4, and in spite of a live performance at the American Music Awards, the album was a commercial failure, due in part to lack of support from their label.<ref>{{cite web |title=When Motley Crue Brought Back Vince Neil for 'Generation Swine' |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-generation-swine/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=June 15, 2019 |archive-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616175557/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-generation-swine/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 1998, Mötley's contractual ties with Elektra had expired, putting the band in total control of their future, including the ownership of the master recordings of all of their albums. Announcing the end of their relationship with Elektra, the band became one of the few groups to own and control their publishing and music catalog. They are one of only a handful of artists to own the masters to their material and reportedly did so by being the biggest pain they could be until Elektra got fed up and handed over the rights in order to get the band off their label.<ref>{{cite web |title=5 Brilliant Business Lessons From Mötley Crüe (Seriously!) |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/3031014/5-brilliant-business-lessons-from-moetley-cruee-seriously |website=Fast Company |date=May 28, 2014 |access-date=18 December 2019 |archive-date=December 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218155724/https://www.fastcompany.com/3031014/5-brilliant-business-lessons-from-moetley-cruee-seriously |url-status=live}}</ref> After leaving Elektra the band created their own label, [[Mötley Records]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Q&A: Motley Crue still calling its own shots |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/music-motley-dc-idUSN27297720080627 |website=Reuters |date=June 27, 2008 |access-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617131931/https://www.reuters.com/article/music-motley-dc-idUSN27297720080627 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Mötley released their compilation ''[[Greatest Hits (1998 Mötley Crüe album)|Greatest Hits]]'' in late 1998, featuring two new songs, "Bitter Pill" and "Enslaved".<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue - Greatest Hits (1998) |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/greatet-hit-1998-mw0000045032 |website=Allmusic |access-date=June 15, 2019 |archive-date=October 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012103639/https://www.allmusic.com/album/greatet-hit-1998-mw0000045032 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1999, the band rereleased all their albums, dubbed as "Crücial Crüe". These limited-edition digital remasters included demos, plus live, instrumental, and previously unreleased tracks.<ref>{{cite web |title=Crucial Crue: The Mötley Crüe Reissues |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/crucial-crue-the-m%C3%B6tley-cr%C3%BCe-reissues-mw0000240878/credits |website=Allmusic |access-date=June 21, 2019 |archive-date=June 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621113749/https://www.allmusic.com/album/crucial-crue-the-m%25C3%25B6tley-cr%25C3%25BCe-reissues-mw0000240878/credits |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1999 the band also released ''[[Supersonic and Demonic Relics]]'', an updated version of ''Decade of Decadence'' featuring the original songs from that album and several previously unreleased B-sides and remixes,<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue - Supersonic and Demonic Relics |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/r416890 |website=Allmusic |access-date=June 15, 2019 |archive-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202225658/https://www.allmusic.com/album/supersonic-and-demonic-relics-mw0000240878 |url-status=live}}</ref> as well as their first official live album ''[[Live: Entertainment or Death|Entertainment or Death]]''<ref>{{cite web |title=Live: Entertainment or Death |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-entertainment-or-death-mw0000254108 |website=Allmusic |access-date=8 December 2019 |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803220737/https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-entertainment-or-death-mw0000254108 |url-status=live}}</ref> (which was the original working title for the studio album ''Theatre of Pain'').<ref>{{cite web |title=30 Facts About Mötley Crüe's Theatre of Pain |url=http://www.vh1.com/news/29604/motley-crue-theatre-of-pain-facts/ |website=VH1 |access-date=December 8, 2019 |archive-date=August 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802181816/http://www.vh1.com/news/29604/motley-crue-theatre-of-pain-facts/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The band then went on a [[Eye to Eye Tour|co-headlining tour]] with [[Scorpions (band)|The Scorpions]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue, Scorpions To Kick It Old-School On Summer Tour |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1433901/motley-crue-scorpions-to-kick-it-old-school-on-summer-tour/ |website=MTV |access-date=30 December 2019 |archive-date=December 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230174956/http://www.mtv.com/news/1433901/motley-crue-scorpions-to-kick-it-old-school-on-summer-tour/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 1999, Lee quit to pursue a solo career, due to increasing tensions with Neil. "All we got was a call from his attorney saying he wasn't coming back," recalled the singer. "He wasn't into rock 'n' roll anymore. He even said that rock is dead ... It all happened during a void in Mötley. We weren't even rehearsing, so it was no big deal."<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Dave |last=Ling |title=We are lüdicröus! |magazine=[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]] #12 |date=March 2000 |page=49}}</ref>
Lee was replaced by a longtime friend of the band, former [[Ozzy Osbourne]] drummer [[Randy Castillo]]. The band released ''[[New Tattoo]]'' in July 2000.<ref>{{cite web |title=How Motley Crue Brought Back the Riffs on 'New Tattoo' |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-new-tattoo-album/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=16 December 2019 |archive-date=March 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200330180251/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-new-tattoo-album/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Before the ensuing tour commenced, Castillo became ill with a duodenal ulcer. The band brought in former [[Hole (band)|Hole]] drummer [[Samantha Maloney]] for the Maximum Rock tour with [[Megadeth]]<ref>{{cite web |title=A Different Drummer |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2000-08-23-0008230059-story.html |website=Chicago Tribune |access-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617173711/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2000-08-23-0008230059-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref> as Castillo concentrated on his health. However, while Castillo was recovering from stomach surgery, he was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma after finding a tumor on his jaw. He died on March 26, 2002.<ref>{{cite web |title=Heavy Metal Drummer Randy Castillo Dies |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/76315/heavy-metal-drummer-randy-castillo-dies |website=Billboard.com |date=March 28, 2002 |access-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626224624/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/76315/heavy-metal-drummer-randy-castillo-dies |url-status=live}}</ref> Soon afterward, the band went on hiatus.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mötley Crüe's Break Up: The Real Story You Won't See on 'The Dirt' |url=https://www.newsweek.com/motley-crue-break-dirt-netflix-movie-members-songs-1370399 |website=Newsweek |date=March 22, 2019 |access-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-date=May 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525035359/https://www.newsweek.com/motley-crue-break-dirt-netflix-movie-members-songs-1370399 |url-status=live}}</ref>
While the band was on hiatus, Sixx played in side projects [[58 (band)|58]] and [[Brides of Destruction]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Nikki Sixx Takes Chances With New Side Project, 58 |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/971958/nikki-sixx-takes-chances-with-new-side-project-58/ |website=MTV |access-date=16 December 2019 |archive-date=December 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216170938/http://www.mtv.com/news/971958/nikki-sixx-takes-chances-with-new-side-project-58/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Brides of Destruction - biography |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/brides-of-destruction-p631275/biography |website=Allmusic |access-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-date=December 13, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101213163012/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/brides-of-destruction-p631275/biography |url-status=live}}</ref> Neil was featured on the first season of VH1's reality show ''[[The Surreal Life]]'',<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Here are the celebrity housemates of ''Surreal Life'' |url=https://ew.com/article/2002/09/27/here-are-celebrity-housemates-surreal-life/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617174420/https://ew.com/article/2002/09/27/here-are-celebrity-housemates-surreal-life/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and had his own special titled "Remaking Vince Neil", which focused on his solo career and attempts to get in better physical shape.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Simmons |first1=Sylvie |title=One hip replacement, four tour buses and plenty of plastic surgery |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/apr/28/popandrock1 |website=The Guardian |date=April 28, 2005 |access-date=7 December 2019 |archive-date=December 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207063425/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/apr/28/popandrock1 |url-status=live}}</ref> Mars, who suffers from a hereditary form of arthritis which causes extensive spinal pain called [[ankylosing spondylitis]],<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lee |first1=Tommy |author-link1=Tommy Lee |last2=Strauss |first2=Neil |author-link2=Neil Strauss |author3=Vince Neil |author4=Mick Mars |author5-link=Nikki Sixx |author5=Nikki Sixx |title=The Dirt: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band |edition=reprint, illustrated |year=2002 |orig-year=2001 |access-date=December 18, 2011 |publisher=[[HarperCollins]] |isbn=0-06-098915-7 |oclc=212381899 |page=[https://archive.org/details/dirt00tomm/page/186 186; 448] |url=https://archive.org/details/dirt00tomm/page/186 |author3-link=Vince Neil}}</ref> went into seclusion in 2001 dealing with health issues. Lee went on to form [[Methods of Mayhem]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Methods of Mayhem (album) |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/methods-of-mayhem-mw0000259592 |website=Allmusic |access-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616170027/https://www.allmusic.com/album/methods-of-mayhem-mw0000259592 |url-status=live}}</ref> and also performed as a solo artist during this time.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rock's bad boy never has a dull moment |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/rocks-bad-boy-never-has-a-dull-moment-20020731-gdfi1t.html |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=July 31, 2002 |access-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616170030/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/rocks-bad-boy-never-has-a-dull-moment-20020731-gdfi1t.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
A 2001 autobiography titled ''[[The Dirt]]'', co-authored by all four of the band members and [[Neil Strauss]], presented Mötley as "the world's most notorious rock band." The book made the top ten on ''[[The New York Times Best Seller list]]'' and spent ten weeks there, and would return to the list after the film adaptation was released in spring 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mötley Crüe's 'The Dirt' Book Is Back On 'NY Times Best Sellers' List |url=https://www.iheart.com/content/2019-04-04-mtley-cres-the-dirt-book-is-back-on-ny-times-best-sellers-list/ |website=iHeartRadio |access-date=April 28, 2019 |archive-date=April 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423021349/https://www.iheart.com/content/2019-04-04-mtley-cres-the-dirt-book-is-back-on-ny-times-best-sellers-list/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2003, the band released two [[box set]]s entitled ''[[Music to Crash Your Car To: Vol. 1]]'' and ''[[Music to Crash Your Car To: Vol. 2|Vol. 2]]'', featuring the music from their entire career.<ref>{{cite web |title=Music to Crash Your Car To, Vol. 1 |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/music-to-crash-your-car-to-vol-1-mw0000694388/releases |website=Allmusic |access-date=29 December 2019 |archive-date=December 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229161001/https://www.allmusic.com/album/music-to-crash-your-car-to-vol-1-mw0000694388/releases |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Music to Crash Your Car To, Vol. 2 |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/music-to-crash-your-car-to-vol-2-mw0000746028/releases |website=Allmusic |access-date=29 December 2019 |archive-date=December 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229161001/https://www.allmusic.com/album/music-to-crash-your-car-to-vol-2-mw0000746028/releases |url-status=live}}</ref> The titles of the collections were heavily criticized by [[Hanoi Rocks]] singer [[Michael Monroe]], among others, due to their possible reference to Vince Neil and Razzle's fatal automobile accident, and that Neil was found guilty of manslaughter for the incident.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Is the Title of Motley Crue's New Album Offensive? |url=https://ew.com/article/2003/12/05/title-motley-crues-new-album-offensive/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=29 December 2019 |archive-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617174452/https://ew.com/article/2003/12/05/title-motley-crues-new-album-offensive/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
===2004–2007: Reunion and renewed success===
[[File:Mötley Crüe - 2005.jpg|thumb|left|Nikki Sixx and Mick Mars performing onstage with Mötley Crüe, on June 14, 2005, in Glasgow, Scotland]]
A promoter in England, Mags Revell, began clamoring for a Mötley Crüe reunion, ostensibly presenting himself as the voice of anxious fans waiting for more from the band.<ref>{{cite news |title=Motley Crue reunite for 2005 tour |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4074665.stm |work=BBC News |date=December 7, 2004 |access-date=3 January 2020 |archive-date=January 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103191042/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4074665.stm |url-status=live}}</ref> After meeting with management several times, in September 2004, Sixx announced that he and Neil had returned to the studio and had begun recording new material. In December 2004, the four original members announced a reunion tour, staging an announcement event in which they arrived at the Hollywood Palladium in a hearse.<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue to Reunite for 2005 Tour, Album |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/motley-crue-to-reunite-for-2005-tour-album |website=Fox News |date=March 25, 2015 |access-date=June 21, 2019 |archive-date=June 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621120757/https://www.foxnews.com/story/motley-crue-to-reunite-for-2005-tour-album |url-status=live}}</ref> The tour began on February 14, 2005, in [[San Juan, Puerto Rico]].<ref>{{cite web |title=MOTLEY CRUE To Kick Off Reunion Tour In San Juan, Puerto Rico |url=http://bravewords.com/news/motley-crue-to-kick-off-reunion-tour-in-san-juan-puerto-rico |website=Bravewords.com |access-date=June 21, 2019 |archive-date=June 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621120801/http://bravewords.com/news/motley-crue-to-kick-off-reunion-tour-in-san-juan-puerto-rico |url-status=live}}</ref> The resulting compilation album, ''[[Red, White & Crüe]]'', was released in February 2005. It features the band members' favorite original songs plus three new tracks, "[[If I Die Tomorrow]]", "[[Sick Love Song]]" (co-written by Sixx and [[James Michael]]), and a cover of [[the Rolling Stones]]' classic "[[Street Fighting Man]]". A small controversy was caused when it was suggested that neither Lee nor Mars played on the new tracks (duties were supposedly handled by [[The Vandals|Vandals]] drummer [[Josh Freese]]){{Citation needed|date=February 2022}}. However, a [[VH1]] documentary of the band's reunion later showed that Lee did indeed play on some of the tracks. The Japanese release of ''Red, White & Crüe'' includes an extra new track titled "I'm a Liar (and That's the Truth)". ''Red, White & Crüe'' charted at No. 6 and has since gone platinum.<ref>{{cite web |title=RIAA Gold and Platinum |url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS&artist=Motley%20Crue |website=Recording Industry Association of America |access-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924160142/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS&artist=Motley%20Crue |url-status=live}}</ref>
On New Year's Eve 2004 the band appeared on a live episode of ''[[The Tonight Show]]''. Neil yelled an obscenity during the performance, leading to an [[FCC]] investigation.<ref>{{cite web |title=FCC probes profanity slip by Motley Crue on 'Leno' |url=https://www.sunjournal.com/2005/01/05/fcc-probes-profanity-slip-motley-crue-leno/ |website=Sun Journal |date=January 5, 2005 |access-date=June 20, 2019 |archive-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202225705/https://www.sunjournal.com/2005/01/05/fcc-probes-profanity-slip-motley-crue-leno/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[NBC]] network responded by banning the band, leading to the band subsequently suing the network, claiming they were being unfairly punished.<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue sues NBC |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/motley-crue-sues-nbc/ |website=CBS News |access-date=June 20, 2019 |archive-date=June 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620133925/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/motley-crue-sues-nbc/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The lawsuit was eventually settled out of court and the band made several subsequent appearances on the network.<ref>{{cite web |title=When Motley Crue Sued NBC Over a Network Ban |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-nbc-ban/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=June 20, 2019 |archive-date=June 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620133923/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-nbc-ban/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2005, Mötley Crüe was involved in an animation-comedy spoof ''Disaster!'',<ref>{{cite web |last=Weinberg |first=Scott |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/news/1644943/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913055831/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/news/1644943/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 13, 2012 |title=Rotten Tomatoes |website=Rotten Tomatoes |date=March 9, 2005 |access-date=October 15, 2010 }}</ref> which was written by Paul Benson and Matt Sullivan and which was used as the introduction film to concerts on their Carnival of Sins tour.<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue in Stop-Motion Disaster! |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/features/motley-crue-in-stop-motion-disaster/ |website=Animation Magazine |date=March 7, 2005 |access-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616144507/https://www.animationmagazine.net/features/motley-crue-in-stop-motion-disaster/ |url-status=live}}</ref> That tour continued throughout 2005 and was commemorated with the release of a [[Carnival of Sins Live|live album]] and DVD in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue Release 'Carnival of Sins' Double Live Album |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/m-tley-cr-e-release-carnival-of-sins-double-live-album/ |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=February 9, 2006 |access-date=8 December 2019 |archive-date=December 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208144308/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/m-tley-cr-e-release-carnival-of-sins-double-live-album/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Carnival of Sins: Live [DVD] |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/carnival-of-sins-live-dvd-mw0001433942 |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=8 December 2019 |archive-date=December 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208144716/https://www.allmusic.com/album/carnival-of-sins-live-dvd-mw0001433942 |url-status=live}}</ref> In the fall of 2005 the band re-recorded "Home Sweet Home" as a duet with [[Linkin Park]] lead singer [[Chester Bennington]] and donated the proceeds to the victims of [[Hurricane Katrina]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Mötley Crüe to Donate All Proceeds From 'Home Sweet Home' Remake to Charity |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/m-tley-cr-e-to-donate-all-proceeds-from-home-sweet-home-remake-to-charity/ |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=September 27, 2005 |access-date=26 December 2019 |archive-date=December 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226134233/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/m-tley-cr-e-to-donate-all-proceeds-from-home-sweet-home-remake-to-charity/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2006, Mötley Crüe went on the [[Route of All Evil Tour]], co-headlining with [[Aerosmith]] and taking performers from [[Lucent Dossier Experience]] on the road with them.<ref>{{cite web |title=It's 1989, Yo: Motley Crue, Aerosmith Touring Together This Fall |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1534721/its-1989-yo-motley-crue-aerosmith-touring-together-this-fall/ |website=MTV |access-date=8 December 2019 |archive-date=December 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208144319/http://www.mtv.com/news/1534721/its-1989-yo-motley-crue-aerosmith-touring-together-this-fall/ |url-status=live}}</ref> 2006 also saw the band sign with [[Paramount Pictures]] and [[MTV Films]] to adapt their autobiography ''The Dirt'' into a movie,<ref>{{cite web |title=Crue Chief for Par Pic |url=https://variety.com/2006/film/news/crue-chief-for-par-pic-2-1200334889/ |website=Variety |date=April 28, 2006 |access-date=27 December 2019 |archive-date=September 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913231802/https://variety.com/2006/film/news/crue-chief-for-par-pic-2-1200334889/ |url-status=live}}</ref> but the production was delayed for several years and the deal eventually fell through.<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue slam MTV over 'The Dirt' |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/movies/news/a102217/motley-crue-slam-mtv-over-dirt/ |website=Digital Spy |date=June 20, 2008 |access-date=27 December 2019 |archive-date=July 7, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180707100323/http://www.digitalspy.com/movies/news/a102217/motley-crue-slam-mtv-over-dirt/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2007, Mötley Crüe set out on a small European tour. A lawsuit was filed by Neil, Mars and Sixx against [[Carl Stubner]], Lee's manager. The three sued him for contracting for Lee to appear on two unsuccessful reality shows the band claim hurt its image.<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue sues manager for $20 million |url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2007-06-19-motley-suit_N.htm |website=USA Today |access-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616141646/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2007-06-19-motley-suit_N.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> It was later reported on Motley.com that the lawsuit had been settled.<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue's Sixx, Mars Settle Up With Manager Carl Stubner |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/mtley-cre-s-sixx-mars-settle-up-with-manager-carl-stubner/ |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=March 20, 2008 |access-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616142125/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/mtley-cre-s-sixx-mars-settle-up-with-manager-carl-stubner/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2007, Sixx published his diaries as the bestselling autobiography ''[[The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star]]'', covering the band's ''Girls, Girls, Girls'' world tour and his 1987 overdose,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sixx |first1=Nikki |title=The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star |date=September 4, 2008 |publisher=Pocket Books |isbn=9781847396143}}</ref> and Sixx's side project band [[Sixx:A.M.]] released ''[[The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack]]'' as a musical parallel to the novel.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/r1078352 |website=Allmusic |access-date=June 15, 2019 |archive-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202225720/https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-heroin-diaries-soundtrack-mw0000482841 |url-status=live}}</ref>
===2008–10: ''Saints of Los Angeles''===
The band hosted the Motley Cruise from January 24 to 28 in 2008; this featured [[Ratt]], [[Skid Row (American band)|Skid Row]] and [[Slaughter (band)|Slaughter]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue gear up for 'Motley Cruise' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/motley-crue-47-1337846 |website=NME |date=January 18, 2008 |access-date=25 December 2019 |archive-date=December 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225153745/https://www.nme.com/news/music/motley-crue-47-1337846 |url-status=live}}</ref>
On June 11, 2008, Mötley Crüe and manager Burt Stein filed suit against each other. Stein was Neil's personal manager and also, according to the band and rival manager Kovac, served as the band's manager at one time. The band and Kovac sued in Los Angeles County Superior Court, claiming Stein was not entitled to a cut of Mötley Crüe's earnings. Stein sued the same day in Nashville's federal court, saying he was entitled to 1.875 percent of what the band makes.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wood |first=E. Thomas |author-link=E. Thomas Wood |url=http://www.nashvillepost.com/news/2008/6/13/crue_sued_manager_fires_back_in_motley_feud |title=Crue sued: Manager fires back in Motley feud |publisher=[[NashvillePost.com]] Retrieved on June 13, 2008 |date=June 13, 2008 |access-date=June 13, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081108133819/http://www.nashvillepost.com/news/2008/6/13/crue_sued_manager_fires_back_in_motley_feud |archive-date=November 8, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Other litigation between the parties also ensued in Nevada. In July 2009, lawyers for both sides announced that the disputes had been "amicably resolved" through a "global settlement".<ref>{{cite news |last=Wood |first=E. Thomas |author-link=E. Thomas Wood |url=http://www.nashvillepost.com/news/2009/7/27/nashville_at_law_rival_managers_bury_the_heavy_metal_hatchet |title=Nashville at law: Rival managers bury the heavy metal hatchet |publisher=[[NashvillePost.com]] Retrieved on July 27, 2009 |date=July 27, 2009 |access-date=July 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090728085311/http://www.nashvillepost.com/news/2009/7/27/nashville_at_law_rival_managers_bury_the_heavy_metal_hatchet |archive-date=July 28, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref>
Mötley Crüe's ninth studio album, titled ''[[Saints of Los Angeles]]'', was released in Japan on June 17, 2008, and in America on June 24, 2008.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Saints of Los Angeles |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/saints-of-los-angeles-255613/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=June 26, 2008 |access-date=8 December 2019 |archive-date=October 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011162230/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/saints-of-los-angeles-255613/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The album was originally titled ''The Dirt'', as it was loosely based on the band's autobiography of the same name, but the title was later changed. In the US, the album was released by [[Eleven Seven Music]]. Eleven Seven also took over US distribution of their back catalog.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mötley Crüe, Buckcherry Help Make Eleven Seven Music One Of Best Performing Rock Labels |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/m-tley-cr-e-buckcherry-help-make-eleven-seven-music-one-of-best-performing-rock-labels/ |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=December 2, 2008 |access-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616141221/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/m-tley-cr-e-buckcherry-help-make-eleven-seven-music-one-of-best-performing-rock-labels/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
iTunes picked "[[Saints of Los Angeles (song)|Saints of Los Angeles]]" in their "Best of 2008" in the Rock category as the number one song. The song was also nominated for a Grammy Award in the "Best Hard Rock Performance" category, but lost to "[[Wax Simulacra]]" by [[The Mars Volta]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Mars Volta Wins 'Best Hard Rock' Grammy For 'Wax Simulacra' |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/the-mars-volta-wins-best-hard-rock-grammy-for-wax-simulacra/ |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=February 8, 2009 |access-date=8 December 2019 |archive-date=December 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208165723/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/the-mars-volta-wins-best-hard-rock-grammy-for-wax-simulacra/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The song was released in the music game series ''[[Rock Band]]'' as downloadable content the day the single was released. It was briefly sold as a ''Rock Band'' exclusive, making Mötley Crüe the first band to release a single exclusively through a [[video game]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Motley Crue Sells Music Via 'Rock Band' Game |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90907233 |newspaper=NPR.org |access-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616115032/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90907233 |url-status=live}}</ref> The song sold more units via ''Rock Band'' than it did via traditional streaming sites.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Motley Crue Rock Band Track Outsells iTunes |url=https://www.wired.com/2008/05/motley-crue-roc/ |magazine=Wired |access-date=9 December 2019 |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803222831/https://www.wired.com/2008/05/motley-crue-roc/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, the entire ''[[Dr. Feelgood (album)|Dr. Feelgood]]'' album was released as downloadable content in ''Rock Band'', excluding "T.n.T. (Terror 'n Tinseltown)".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Burg |first1=Dustin |title=Rock Band 'Dr. Feelgood' album DLC now available |url=https://www.engadget.com/2008/10/14/rock-band-dr-feelgood-album-dlc-now-available/ |website=Engadget |access-date=13 December 2019 |archive-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202225723/https://www.engadget.com/2008-10-14-rock-band-dr-feelgood-album-dlc-now-available.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
From July 1 to August 31, 2008, Mötley Crüe headlined the popular [[Crüe Fest]] music festival, which included opening acts [[Buckcherry]], [[Papa Roach]], [[Trapt]], and [[Sixx:A.M.]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue announces Crue Fest 2008 |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/motley-crue-announces-crue-fest-2008-1C9425436 |website=Today Show |access-date=June 15, 2019 |archive-date=November 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104235045/https://www.today.com/popculture/motley-crue-announces-crue-fest-2008-1C9425436 |url-status=live}}</ref> They then spent the fall and winter of that year on tour with [[Hinder]], [[Theory of a Deadman]] and [[The Last Vegas]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Mötley Crüe, Hinder, Theory Of A Deadman: North American Tour Dates Announced |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/m-tley-cr-e-hinder-theory-of-a-deadman-north-american-tour-dates-announced/ |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=November 14, 2008 |access-date=3 January 2020 |archive-date=January 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103125546/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/m-tley-cr-e-hinder-theory-of-a-deadman-north-american-tour-dates-announced/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Mötley Crüe - Erie, PA.jpg|thumb|Mötley Crüe performs in [[Erie, Pennsylvania]] on March 7, 2009|alt=Mötley Crüe performs in Erie, Pennsylvania on March 7, 2009]]
The band made a guest appearance in the fourth season finale of the [[Fox Broadcasting Company|FOX]] crime dramedy ''[[Bones (TV series)|Bones]]'' on May 14, 2009, entitled "The End in the Beginning", performing the song "[[Dr. Feelgood (Mötley Crüe song)|Dr. Feelgood]]".<ref>{{cite magazine |title='Bones' season finale to feature guest appearance by Motley Crue |url=https://ew.com/article/2009/04/23/bones-motley-cr/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=June 15, 2019 |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626224633/https://ew.com/article/2009/04/23/bones-motley-cr/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The following month they performed at the [[Download Festival]] at the [[Donington Park motorsports circuit]] (June 12–14, 2009), playing on the second stage on Friday night.<ref>{{cite web |title=Slipknot, Prodigy and Motley Crue set for Download 2009 |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/slipknot-160-1310805 |website=NME |date=February 10, 2009 |access-date=June 15, 2019 |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626224639/https://www.nme.com/news/music/slipknot-160-1310805 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Mötley Crüe headlined the ''[[Crüe Fest 2]]'' festival, which ran from July to September 2009. Supporting them were [[Godsmack]], [[Theory of a Deadman]], [[Drowning Pool]], and [[Charm City Devils]]. The band's set celebrated the 20th anniversary of ''[[Dr. Feelgood (album)|Dr. Feelgood]]'' by performing the album in its entirety on each night of the tour. They also re-released the album as a special 20th anniversary deluxe edition.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://motley.com/news/news.php?uid=849 |title=news.news |publisher=Motley.com |date=March 16, 2009 |access-date=June 9, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103130127/http://motley.com/news/news.php?uid=849 |archive-date=January 3, 2010}}</ref>
Mötley Crüe headlined [[Ozzfest]] in 2010, along with [[Ozzy Osbourne]] and [[Rob Halford]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Ozzfest 2010 Features Ozzy Osbourne, Mötley Crüe |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1638249/ozzfest-2010-features-ozzy-osbourne-motley-crue/ |website=MTV |access-date=June 15, 2019 |archive-date=September 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926120159/http://www.mtv.com/news/1638249/ozzfest-2010-features-ozzy-osbourne-motley-crue/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Neil also released his [[Tattoos & Tequila|third solo album]] and autobiography, both entitled ''Tattoos and Tequila''.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Jones |first1=Nate |title=Q&A: Mötley Crüe's Vince Neil on Sex, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll |url=http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,2023210,00.html |magazine=Time |date=October 4, 2010 |access-date=29 December 2019 |archive-date=December 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229143457/http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,2023210,00.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
===2011–2015: The Final Tour and retirement from touring===
[[File:Mötley Crüe @ Kaisaniemenpuisto, 2012.06.07 (7368322980).jpg|thumb|Mötley Crüe performs at [[Kaisaniemi Park]] in [[Helsinki]], Finland in June 2012]]
Mötley Crüe co-headlined a [[Glam-A-Geddon|mid-year tour]] with [[Poison (American band)|Poison]] and special guests [[New York Dolls]] in 2011 for the band's 30th Anniversary and Poison's 25th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/News/motley-crue-poison-0301-2011|title=Mötley Crüe and Poison to Co-Headline Tour|year=2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110804213335/http://www.gibson.com/en%2Dus/Lifestyle/News/motley%2Dcrue%2Dpoison%2D0301%2D2011/|archive-date=August 4, 2011}}</ref> On August 30, 2011, Mötley Crüe, along with co-headliners [[Def Leppard]] and special guests [[Steel Panther]], announced a [[United Kingdom|UK]] Tour commencing in December 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motley.com/news/1a9fb7-announcing-mtley-uk-tour-with-def-leppard-and-steel-panther/|title=Announcing Mötley UK Tour with Def Leppard and Steel Panther|date=August 30, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016031026/http://www.motley.com/news/1a9fb7-announcing-mtley-uk-tour-with-def-leppard-and-steel-panther/|archive-date=October 16, 2011}}</ref>
In February 2012 the band appeared along with supermodel [[Adriana Lima]] in a commercial for the [[Kia Optima]], which premiered during [[Super Bowl XLVI]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Kia's Optima Super Bowl ad gets Adriana Lima, Motley Crue into your dreams |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/bp/kia-optima-super-bowl-ad-gets-adriana-lima-151232143.html |website=Yahoo! News |access-date=8 December 2019 |archive-date=December 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208192544/https://www.yahoo.com/news/bp/kia-optima-super-bowl-ad-gets-adriana-lima-151232143.html |url-status=live}}</ref> February 2012 also saw the band host its first [[concert residency|residency]] at the [[Hard Rock Cafe|Hard Rock Hotel and Casino]] in [[Las Vegas]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Mötley Crüe Are Doing a Las Vegas Residency |url=https://www.vulture.com/2011/12/motley-crue-las-vegas.html |website=Vulture |access-date=13 December 2019 |archive-date=December 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213125248/https://www.vulture.com/2011/12/motley-crue-las-vegas.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2012, Mötley Crüe announced a [[The Tour (Kiss and Mötley Crüe)|co-headlining tour]] with [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]]. The tour kicked off July 20 in Bristow, Virginia, and ran through September 23.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kiss-and-motley-crue-announce-the-tour-20120321 |title=Kiss And Mötley Crüe Announce The Tour |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=March 21, 2012 |access-date=September 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022000333/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kiss-and-motley-crue-announce-the-tour-20120321 |archive-date=October 22, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> In the spring and summer of 2013 the band toured throughout Canada with [[Big Wreck]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue Reveal 2013 Canadian Tour Dates |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-2013-canada-tour/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=8 December 2019 |archive-date=December 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208204326/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-2013-canada-tour/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The band returned to Las Vegas for a second residency in the fall of 2013.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mötley Crüe to rock The Joint in second Vegas residency |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/04/02/motley-crue-books-second-las-vegas-residency/2044485/ |website=USA Today |access-date=13 December 2019 |archive-date=December 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213125245/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/04/02/motley-crue-books-second-las-vegas-residency/2044485/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
On January 28, 2014, at the conference inside Beacher's Madhouse Theater in Hollywood, Mötley Crüe announced the full details of its retirement, including a tour initially spanning 70 North American dates, with [[Alice Cooper]] playing as a special guest. The tour commenced in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on July 2, 2014. The band members had signed a "cessation of touring agreement", which prevented them from touring under the Mötley Crüe name beyond the end of 2015.<ref>[http://www.rockcellarmagazine.com/2014/01/28/motley-crue-announcement-retirement-quitting-farewell-tour/#sthash.HmSyDp9a.dpbs Mötley Crüe Announce Retirement, Final Tour with Alice Cooper] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202234701/http://www.rockcellarmagazine.com/2014/01/28/motley-crue-announcement-retirement-quitting-farewell-tour/#sthash.HmSyDp9a.dpbs |date=February 2, 2014}} Rockcellarmagazine.com (January 28, 2014). Retrieved on April 11, 2014.</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Michaels |first=Sean |title=Motley Crüe sign pact which assures no more reunions |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jan/29/motley-crue-sign-death-pact-retirement |newspaper=The Guardian |date=January 29, 2014 |access-date=December 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421195256/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jan/29/motley-crue-sign-death-pact-retirement |archive-date=April 21, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In a later interview, Sixx talked about the possibility of releasing new music, saying that "We have music written, [but] it's not put together yet". He also speculated that the band would release it in a song-by-song format as opposed to a full-length album format, elaborating with "It's hard, to be honest with you, to spend six [or] nine months to write eleven songs—all those lyrics ... everything ... the vocals, the guitars, the bass, the sonics, the mixing, the mastering, the artwork. ... You put it out and nothing [happens], because now people cherry-pick songs. So we go, 'Why don't we write songs and find vehicles to get one, two or four songs to ten million people rather than eleven songs to a hundred thousand people."<ref>{{cite news |title=NIKKI SIXX Says MÖTLEY CRÜE Will Release New Music 'One, Two Or Four Songs' At A Time |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/nikki-sixx-says-motley-crue-will-release-new-music-one-two-or-four-songs-at-a-time/ |work=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=February 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904204135/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/nikki-sixx-says-motley-crue-will-release-new-music-one-two-or-four-songs-at-a-time/ |archive-date=September 4, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>
During the tour the band played a new song, "All Bad Things", over the speakers throughout the venue before it took the stage. On November 22, 2014, in [[Spokane, Washington]], at the [[Spokane Arena]], Mötley Crüe played the final concert of the first North American leg of The Final Tour.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mötley Crüe's 'The Final Tour' Has Already Been Seen By Half A Million Fans |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/motley-crues-the-final-tour-has-already-been-seen-by-half-a-million-fans/ |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=November 26, 2014 |access-date=June 15, 2019 |archive-date=September 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922103806/https://blabbermouth.net/news/motley-crues-the-final-tour-has-already-been-seen-by-half-a-million-fans/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
On January 15, 2015, it was announced that the band's career would end with international concerts in Japan, Australia, Brazil and Europe before heading out for a second leg of North American concerts throughout 2015, ending with a concert at the [[MGM Grand Garden Arena]] in [[Las Vegas]] on December 27, followed by three concerts at [[Staples Center]] on December 28, 30 and 31, 2015. In May 2015, The Crüe and Alice Cooper announced a set of 12 concert dates for Europe at a conference in London.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://loudwire.com/motley-crue-official-retirement-shows/|title=Motley Crue Reveal Official Retirement Shows |work=Loudwire |access-date=January 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904205620/http://loudwire.com/motley-crue-official-retirement-shows/ |archive-date=September 4, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>
On September 19, 2015, the band played the [[Rock in Rio]] festival on the main stage.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rockinrio.com/rio/en/line-up/ |title=Line-up |work=Rock in Rio |access-date=September 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150318011314/http://rockinrio.com/rio/en/line-up/ |archive-date=March 18, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Mötley Crüe performed, for what was then advertised to be the last time, at [[Staples Center]] in [[Los Angeles]] on December 31, 2015. The band reported that its New Year's Eve show was going to be released as a film in 2016; the movie was titled ''Motley Crue: THE END''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.motley.com/motley-crue-to-release-full-length-live-concert-film-of-final-performance/ |title=Last Show |work=Mötley Crüe |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101081215/http://www.motley.com/motley-crue-to-release-full-length-live-concert-film-of-final-performance/ |archive-date=January 1, 2016}}</ref>
===2018–present: Reunion, ''The Dirt'' film, new music, return to touring, and Mars' retirement===
In 2017, frontman Vince Neil told host [[Sammy Hagar]] on the show ''[[List of Rock and Roll Road Trip with Sammy Hagar episodes|Rock and Roll Road Trip]]'' that Mötley Crüe were "completely done".<ref>{{cite web |title=Nashville Cats (2017) - 21 min |url=https://www.axs.tv/channel/rock-roll-road-trip-with-sammy-hagar/rock-roll-road-trip-with-sammy-hagar-season-2/video/nashville-cats/ |website=axs.tv |publisher=axs.tv |access-date=1 June 2022}}</ref> However, on September 13, 2018, Neil announced via Twitter that Mötley Crüe was recording four new songs;<ref name="blabbermouth neil" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/motley-crue-heading-back-to-the-studio-says-vince-neil |title=Motley Crue heading back to the studio, says Vince Neil |publisher=Loudersound.com |date=September 13, 2018 |access-date=September 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913223342/https://www.loudersound.com/news/motley-crue-heading-back-to-the-studio-says-vince-neil |archive-date=September 13, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> this was later also confirmed by bassist Nikki Sixx, who said that the new material was recorded for the film adaptation of the band's biography, ''[[The Dirt (film)|The Dirt]]''.<ref name="blabbermouth sixx" /> Neil also clarified that, though the band has signed a contract to no longer tour, they still plan to continue putting out new music for the future.<ref>{{cite web |last=Redrup |first=Zach |url=http://www.deadpress.co.uk/news-motley-crue-still-recording-new-music-following-break-up |title=NEWS: Mötley Crüe still recording new music following break up! |publisher=DEAD PRESS! |date=September 13, 2018 |access-date=September 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914061351/http://www.deadpress.co.uk/news-motley-crue-still-recording-new-music-following-break-up/ |archive-date=September 14, 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[Netflix]] released ''The Dirt'' biopic based on the book of the same name that coincided with an 18-song soundtrack on March 22, 2019.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Motley Crue Set 'The Dirt' Premiere Date |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/motley-crue-the-dirt-premiere-date-762540/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=December 3, 2018 |access-date=30 December 2019 |archive-date=February 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226225825/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/motley-crue-the-dirt-premiere-date-762540/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The film is directed by [[Jeff Tremaine]], (''[[Jackass (franchise)|Jackass]]''), produced by Julie Yorn and Erik Olsen, executive produced by Rick Yorn,<ref name="Variety">{{cite news |last1=Aswad |first1=Jem |title=Watch First Trailer for Motley Crue Biopic 'The Dirt' |url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/motley-crue-the-dirt-netflix-watch-trailer-1203142798/ |access-date=8 April 2019 |work=Variety |date=February 19, 2019 |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626224624/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/motley-crue-the-dirt-netflix-watch-trailer-1203142798/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and co-produced by Kovac who is Mötley Crüe's manager, CEO of [[Eleven Seven Label Group]]<ref name="BB 3">{{cite magazine |last1=Drew |first1=Ian |title=Industry Vet Allen Kovac on Working With Problematic Stars: 'We Have to Take Care of Our Artists First' |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8503335/allen-kovac-interview-working-with-problematic-stars |access-date=23 April 2019 |magazine=Billboard |date=March 21, 2019 |archive-date=May 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501225253/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8503335/allen-kovac-interview-working-with-problematic-stars |url-status=live}}</ref> and founder of Tenth Street Entertainment.<ref name="Music Bis Worldwide">{{cite news |last1=Ingham |first1=Tim |title=ALLEN KOVAC: 'DON'T TELL ARTISTS WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR. TELL THEM THE TRUTH.' |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/dont-tell-artists-what-they-want-to-hear/ |access-date=23 April 2019 |work=Music Business Worldwide |date=September 30, 2015 |archive-date=April 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423154438/https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/dont-tell-artists-what-they-want-to-hear/ |url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Dirt'' stars [[Daniel Webber (actor)|Daniel Webber]] as Neil, [[Iwan Rheon]] (''[[Game of Thrones]]'') as Mars, [[Douglas Booth]] as Sixx and Colson Baker (aka [[Machine Gun Kelly (rapper)|Machine Gun Kelly]]) as Lee.<ref name="BB 1">{{cite magazine |last1=Titus |first1=Christa |title=Nikki Sixx Spills 'Dirt' About Mötley Crüe Movie Soundtrack |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8499408/nikki-sixx-the-dirt-motley-crue-movie-soundtrack |access-date=8 April 2019 |magazine=Billboard |date=February 22, 2019 |archive-date=April 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416213607/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8499408/nikki-sixx-the-dirt-motley-crue-movie-soundtrack |url-status=live}}</ref> Also starring in the movie is [[Pete Davidson]] (''[[Saturday Night Live]]'') as record executive Tom Zutaut.<ref name="Cosmopolitan">{{cite news |last1=Lewis |first1=Anna |title=Netflix's The Dirt is about the lives of Mötley Crüe, and stars Pete Davidson |url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/a26355128/the-dirt-motley-crue-netflix-film-pete-davidson-release-date-trailer/ |access-date=8 April 2019 |work=Cosmopolitan |date=February 19, 2019 |archive-date=April 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428024501/https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/a26355128/the-dirt-motley-crue-netflix-film-pete-davidson-release-date-trailer/ |url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' wrote that ''The Dirt'' is "a truly debauched movie that delves deep into their rise from the early Eighties Sunset Strip metal scene to their days as arena headliners."<ref name="RS1">{{cite magazine |last1=Greene |first1=Andy |title=See Motley Crue at Their Best and Worst in First 'The Dirt' Biopic Trailer |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/motley-crue-the-dirt-biopic-trailer-796217/ |access-date=8 April 2019 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=February 19, 2019 |archive-date=March 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324121622/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/motley-crue-the-dirt-biopic-trailer-796217/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The film portrays many of the adventures the band went on including touring with [[Ozzy Osbourne]] and the ''[[Theatre of Pain]]'' tour.<ref>{{cite magazine |id={{ProQuest|2212640964}} |last1=Gröw |first1=Köry |title=Sex, Drugs & Mötley Crüe |magazine=Rolling Stone |issue=1325 |date=March 2019 |page=26 }}</ref>
The first new song from the soundtrack was "The Dirt (Est.1981)", which was released on February 22, 2019. The band wrote two other new songs, "Ride With the Devil" and "Crash and Burn", and covered [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]]'s "[[Like a Virgin (song)|Like a Virgin]]", on the album. The soundtrack additionally included fourteen previously released Mötley Crüe songs. It was produced by Bob Rock, who produced ''Dr. Feelgood'', and was released on March 22, 2019, on [[Mötley Records]] and Eleven Seven Music.<ref name="RS 2">{{cite magazine |last1=Kreps |first1=Daniel |title=Motley Crue Drop 'The Dirt (Est. 1981)' Video, Detail Biopic's Soundtrack |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/motley-crue-the-dirt-est-1981-soundtrack-798699/ |access-date=April 8, 2019 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=February 22, 2019 |archive-date=March 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329161305/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/motley-crue-the-dirt-est-1981-soundtrack-798699/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The soundtrack hit the Billboard Top 10 at No. 10, the first time Mötley Crüe hit the Billboard Top 10 in over a decade.<ref>{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|2201502291}} |last1=Sisario |first1=Ben |title=Mötley Crüe Returns To the Billboard Top 10 |newspaper=New York Times |date=2 April 2019 |page=C.3 }}</ref>
The group's legacy was also featured on a 2019 episode of the [[Reelz]] documentary series ''Breaking the Band''. Both Neil and Sixx had a negative reaction to how things were portrayed in the episode. Sixx said they would be pursuing legal action and called Reelz "the bottom of the barrel."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-reelz-breaking-the-band/|title=Motley Crue Stars Blast 'Bottom of the Barrel' Reelz Documentary|last=Kielty|first=Martin|website=Ultimate Classic Rock|language=en|access-date=June 18, 2019|archive-date=February 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202225736/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-reelz-breaking-the-band/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In November 2019, rumors started to circulate of the band reuniting for a 2020 tour with [[Def Leppard]] and [[Poison (American band)|Poison]], following the success of [[Guns N' Roses]]' [[Not in This Lifetime... Tour|reunion tour]]. The band responded to an online petition rallying for the group's return, saying "this is interesting...".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/motley-crue-comment-reunion-petition/|title=Motley Crue Comment on 'Interesting' Reunion Petition|first=Joe|last=DiVita|website=Loudwire|access-date=November 18, 2019|archive-date=November 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191118185549/https://loudwire.com/motley-crue-comment-reunion-petition/|url-status=live}}</ref> On November 18, ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine reported that all four band members had agreed to come back together for the tour, utilizing a loophole in their "Cessation of Touring" contract.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last1=Greene|first1=Andy|date=November 18, 2019|title=Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, Poison Set 2020 Stadium Tour|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/motley-crue-def-leppard-poison-set-2020-stadium-tour-913823/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191118190220/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/motley-crue-def-leppard-poison-set-2020-stadium-tour-913823/|archive-date=November 18, 2019|access-date=November 18, 2019|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|publisher=}}</ref> Later that same day, the band confirmed all reports with a statement on their website, posting a press release and a video of the contract being destroyed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.motley.com/news/motleycrueisback|title=MÖTLEY CRÜE IS BACK!|website=Mötley Crüe|access-date=November 18, 2019|archive-date=November 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119120657/https://www.motley.com/news/motleycrueisback|url-status=live}}</ref> On December 4, 2019, it was officially confirmed that Mötley Crüe would embark on [[The Stadium Tour]] with [[Def Leppard]], [[Poison (American band)|Poison]] and [[Joan Jett|Joan Jett & the Blackhearts]] in the summer of 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/def-leppard-motley-crue-poison-and-joan-jett-the-blackhearts-the-stadium-tour-details-revealed/|title=DEF LEPPARD, MÖTLEY CRÜE, POISON And JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS: 'The Stadium Tour' Details Revealed|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=December 4, 2019|access-date=December 5, 2019|archive-date=December 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205013528/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/def-leppard-motley-crue-poison-and-joan-jett-the-blackhearts-the-stadium-tour-details-revealed/|url-status=live}}</ref> Also in December 2019 Mick Mars announced that his debut solo album would be released in the spring of 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue's Mick Mars To Release Debut Solo Record In April 2020 |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/motley-crues-mick-mars-to-release-debut-solo-record-in-april-2020/ |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=November 29, 2019 |access-date=December 7, 2019 |archive-date=December 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203042249/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/motley-crues-mick-mars-to-release-debut-solo-record-in-april-2020/ |url-status=live}}</ref> On June 1, 2020, Mötley Crüe announced that The Stadium Tour would be rescheduled to June–September 2021 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]];<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Poison & Joan Jett and the Blackhearts Postpone North American Stadium Tour |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/9394715/motley-crue-def-leppard-poison-joan-jett-and-the-blackhearts-postpone-north-american-stadium-tour-postponed |magazine=Billboard |date=June 2020 |access-date=11 June 2020 |archive-date=June 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611163205/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/9394715/motley-crue-def-leppard-poison-joan-jett-and-the-blackhearts-postpone-north-american-stadium-tour-postponed |url-status=live}}</ref> it was postponed once again to 2022, due to similar circumstances amid the pandemic.<ref name="2022 tour"/> In January 2022, in the wake of the [[SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant|Omicron variant]] surge, Sixx was asked by a fan on Twitter if The Stadium Tour was still happening this year; his response was, "We're 1000% hitting the road with Def Leppard for The Stadium Tour in mid-June...I can't f'ckin wait..."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://metalheadzone.com/nikki-sixx-has-no-concerns-about-motley-crues-upcoming-stadium-tour/|title=Nikki Sixx Has No Concerns About Mötley Crüe's Upcoming Stadium Tour|publisher=metalheadzone.com|access-date=January 26, 2022|date=January 15, 2022}}</ref> Just prior to the start of the tour, Def Leppard guitarist [[Phil Collen]] announced that Mötley Crüe had "signed up" for another tour together in Europe, which is slated to take place in 2023;<ref>{{Cite web|title=PHIL COLLEN Says MÖTLEY CRÜE Has 'Signed Up' To Tour Europe With DEF LEPPARD In 2023|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/great-white-parts-ways-with-singer-mitch-malloy-recruits-last-in-lines-andrew-freeman|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=June 3, 2022|date=June 1, 2022}}</ref> this claim was later confirmed by Def Leppard frontman [[Joe Elliott]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Def Leppard Confirm That Stadium Tour With Mötley Crüe Will Reach Europe|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/def_leppard_confirm_that_stadium_tour_with_mtley_cre_will_reach_europe.html|website=[[Ultimate Guitar]]|access-date=July 3, 2022|date=June 27, 2022}}</ref>
In November 2021, Mötley Crüe sold their entire back catalogue to [[BMG Rights Management]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gilchrist |first=Todd |date=2021-12-06 |title=BMG Buys Mötley Crüe Catalog for $150 Million |url=https://labusinessjournal.com/media/music/bmg-buys-motley-crue-catalog-150-million/ |access-date=2022-11-12 |website=[[Los Angeles Business Journal]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
In September 2022, Neil announced in an interview with the ''Las Vegas Review-Journal'' that the band would return for a US tour in 2023. In that same interview, he also ruled out the possibility of further studio albums, stating that they were "strictly a touring band".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kielty |first1=Martin |last2=Wilkening |first2=Matthew |title=Motley Crue Hints at Future Tour Plans: 'See You in February' |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-future-tour-plans/ |access-date=September 12, 2022 |work=Ultimate Classic Rock |date=September 11, 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=MÖTLEY CRÜE Plots Another U.S. Tour In 2024, Possible Third Las Vegas Residency |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/motley-crue-plots-another-u-s-tour-in-2024-possible-third-las-vegas-residency |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |access-date=September 12, 2022 |language=en |date=September 11, 2022}}</ref>
On October 26, 2022, Mick Mars retired as a touring member of the band due to ongoing health issues, according to a statement released by Mars' publicist.<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue Guitarist Mick Mars to Retire From Touring|url=https://variety.com/2022/music/news/motley-crue-mick-mars-retire-touring-1235415269/|first1=Jem|last1=Aswad|first2=Shirley|last2=Halperin|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=October 26, 2022 |language=en |date=October 26, 2022}}</ref> The next day, the band confirmed that [[John 5 (guitarist)|John 5]] would take Mars' place as their new touring guitarist,<ref name="john5touring">{{cite web |last1=Singer |first1=Quentin |title=Mötley Crüe's Mick Mars Retires From Touring & Band Announces New Touring Guitarist |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/quentinsinger/2022/10/27/mtley-cres-mick-mars-retires-from-touring--band-announces-new-touring-guitarist/?sh=77f478ac5365 |website=Forbes |publisher=Integrated Whale Media |access-date=28 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kielty |first1=Martin |last2=Wilkening |first2=Matthew |title=It's Official: JOHN 5 Joins MÖTLEY CRÜE|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/its-official-john-5-joins-motley-crue |access-date=October 27, 2022 |work=Ultimate Classic Rock |date=October 27, 2022}}</ref> although he was later confirmed as a member of the band in April 2023.<ref name="j5member">{{cite web |last1=Lach |first1=Stef |title=Motley Crue working on new material with producer Bob Rock |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/motley-crue-working-on-new-material-with-producer-bob-rock |website=Louder Sound |access-date=April 23, 2023 |language=en |date=April 22, 2023}}</ref> In a December interview with A Radio Rock in Brazil, Sixx confirmed that the band is not going away anytime soon, and stated that the band will be touring for eight more years.<ref>{{cite web |title=NIKKI SIXX Wants MÖTLEY CRÜE To Keep Going Until At Least 2031: 'This Isn't A Final Tour' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/nikki-sixx-wants-motley-crue-to-keep-going-until-at-least-2031-this-isnt-a-final-tour |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=8 March 2023 |language=en |date=7 March 2023}}</ref>
On April 6, 2023, Mars sued the band, alleging that the band were trying to remove him.<ref name="Sued">{{cite web |last=Schaffner |first=Lauryn |title=Mick Mars Sues Mötley Crüe, Says He Was Unilaterally Removed From Band + Gaslighted |url=https://loudwire.com/mick-mars-sues-motley-crue-removed-from-band-gaslighted/ |website=[[Loudwire]] |access-date=April 6, 2023 |date=April 6, 2023}}</ref> In response to the lawsuit, the band issued a statement on the same day, denying that they had fired Mars, and that while he was still a member; had quit touring. In Mars' statement, he also claims that the band uses a backing track for their concert, with videos surfacing showing Nikki Sixx on tour not playing his bass yet his bass is still playing in the background.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Willman |first1=Chris |title=Motley Crue Responds to Mick Mars’ Lawsuit, Contending He Quit After ‘Struggling to Remember Chords, Playing the Wrong Songs’; Nikki Sixx Says ‘Sad Day for Us’ |url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/motley-crue-responds-mick-mars-lawsuit-quit-resigned-performance-1235576291/ |website=Variety |access-date=April 8, 2023 |date=April 6, 2023}}</ref>
On April 19, 2023, the band announced that they are working on new music with record producer [[Bob Rock]],<ref>{{cite web |last1=DiVita |first1=Joe |title=Motley Crue Officially Recording in Studio With Big Name Producer |url=https://loudwire.com/motley-crue-recording-in-studio-producer-bob-rock/ |website=Loudwire |access-date=April 19, 2023 |language=en |date=April 19, 2023}}</ref> ruling out the possibility of the band working with Mick Mars again.<ref name="j5member"/> Sixx later released a statement on the upcoming album on May 15, 2023, stating that it had finished production and had begun mixing the album.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Horsley |first1=Jonathan |title=Mötley Crüe have finished their first studio album with John 5 – and promise it's "heavier than anything" |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/motley-crue-new-album-john-5 |website=Guitar World |access-date=May 24, 2023 |language=en |date=May 15, 2023}}</ref> In June 2023, Neil confirmed that the band is set to perform another stadium tour in 2024.<ref>{{cite web |title=Vince Neil Says MÖTLEY CRÜE Will Embark On Another Stadium Tour In 2024: 'We're Not Sure' Who Else Is 'Gonna Be On It' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/vince-neil-says-motley-crue-will-embark-on-another-stadium-tour-in-2024-were-not-sure-who-else-is-gonna-be-on-it |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=3 July 2023 |language=en |date=1 July 2023}}</ref> In July 2023, Neil confirmed that the band recorded three brand new songs.<ref>{{cite web |last=Trapp |first=Philip |title=Vince Neil Discusses New Mötley Crüe Recordings, Extending Crüe’s Stadium Tour |url=https://loudwire.com/motley-crue-new-songs-2024-tour-dates-vince-neil/ |website=[[Loudwire]] |access-date=July 5, 2023 |date=July 3, 2023}}</ref>
==Musical style==
Mötley Crüe's musical style has been described as [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]],<ref name="MC AMG"/><ref name="RivadaviaPublished">{{Cite web|first=Eduardo|last=Rivadavia|title=How Motley Crue Staked Their Claim With 'Shout at the Devil'|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/30-years-ago-motley-crues-shout-at-the-devil-released/|date=September 26, 2015|access-date=October 5, 2021|website=Ultimate Classic Rock|language=en}}</ref><ref name="sputnik genres">{{cite web |url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/9469/Motley-Crue-Dr.-Feelgood/ |title=Motley Crue - Dr. Feelgood |last=DeSylvia |first=David |website=[[Sputnikmusic]] |date=October 8, 2006 |access-date=December 20, 2014 }}</ref> [[glam metal]],<ref>{{cite web|first= Mike |last= McPadden |title= The Hair Metal 100: Ranking the '80s Greatest Glam Bands—The Final 20! |publisher= VH1 |date= 25 September 2015 |access-date= 16 July 2016 |url= http://www.vh1.com/news/209314/the-hair-metal-100-part-5/}}</ref> [[hard rock]],{{sfnm|Harrison|2011|1pp=41, 60}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/motley-crue-become-first-hard-rock-band-hold-las-vegas-residency|title=Motley Crue to Become First Hard Rock Band to Hold Las Vegas Residency|date=December 2, 2011|last=Hart|first=Josh|work=Guitar World|access-date=February 20, 2021}}</ref><ref name="sputnik genres"/> [[glam rock]],<ref name="sputnik genres"/> and [[power pop]].<ref name="sputnik genres"/> According to [[AllMusic]], "[they have] a knack for melding [[Pop music|pop]] hooks to heavy metal theatrics."<ref name="MC AMG"/> The band changed to a more [[alternative metal]] and [[grunge]] sound on ''Mötley Crüe'' (1994)<ref>{{cite web|last=Henne|first=Bruce|date=January 4, 2015|title=Corabi revisits 1994 Motley Crue album|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/corabi-revisits-1994-motley-crue-album|access-date=April 7, 2021|website=[[Louder Sound]]}}</ref> and [[industrial rock]] on ''Generation Swine'' (1997).
==Feuds==
===Metallica===
Often clashing during the early 1980s, both bands were fighting for dominance in the [[Los Angeles]] rock scene during [[Metallica]]'s primitive years prior to their relocation to the Bay Area. Both singer/guitarist [[James Hetfield]] and drummer [[Lars Ulrich]] expressed their hatred of the Hair Metal scene in Los Angeles during the time and frequently attacked multiple up-and-coming local bands in multiple interviews, including Mötley Crüe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxrcfRrNwnw|title=Metallica on the ‘80s Metal Bands They Didn’t Get Along With}}</ref> Allegedly before a show in 1982, Ulrich claimed he drunkenly screamed "Fuck Mötley Crüe!" at the band from outside the [[Troubadour (West Hollywood, California)|Troubadour]] in Hollywood, in which Sixx chased Ulrich in retaliation. Former lead guitarist [[Dave Mustaine]] during a 1983 interview had also taken aim at the band by claiming Crüe and Glam Metal were an abbreviation for "Gay LA Music".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUMSFkSFPHU|title=Dave Mustaine talks about glam rock/metal}}</ref> Though despite their public disdain for glam metal, Metallica were impressed by the production and commercial success of ''Dr. Feelgood'' in 1989, later hiring the album's producer [[Bob Rock]] to produce their [[Metallica (album)|self-titled fifth album]] in 1991. Several years later; both Sixx and Ulrich would reignite the animosity after Ulrich accused Mötley Crüe of performing to a backing track at the [[American Music Awards of 1997|1997 American Music Awards]]. Sixx responded via an online forum: ''"Dear, Sweet, Fat, Balding, Larz (love the make-up, babe!) Taking your ever-moronic soapbox position on a subject that's NONE of your fucking business has made you out to be an asshole as usual... People in glass houses should NOT throw rocks!!! considering you decided to take your bullshit to the press, we feel its only fair to return the punch!!"'' Sixx would also throw insults at Metallica's then-recent album ''[[Load (album)|Load]]'' insulting multiple members of the band for their change in sound and visual image.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rockcelebrities.net/how-the-feud-between-metallicas-lars-ulrich-and-motley-crues-nikki-sixx-started/|title=How The Feud Between Metallica’s Lars Ulrich And Mötley Crüe’s Nikki Sixx Started}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grunge.com/258187/the-truth-about-nicki-sixxs-feud-with-metallica/|title=The Truth About Nikki Sixx's Feud with Metallica}}</ref> During a 2003 interview, Sixx would strangely defend Metallica's then-latest album ''[[St. Anger]]'' by claiming ''"I have learned to have sympathy for the enemy"''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/m-tley-cr-e-bassist-defends-metallica-i-have-learned-to-have-sympathy-for-the-enemy|title=Crue Bassist Defends Metallica}}</ref> In 2006, both Tommy Lee and former Metallica bassist [[Jason Newsted]] took part in a reality show entitled ''[[Rock Star: Supernova]]'' as they would both participate in creating a supergroup while the show's premise revolved around finding a frontman via contest. During a 2011 meet-and-greet in [[Mexico City]], Hetfield was approached by a fan attacking Mötley Crüe due to their public image and frequent appearances in tabloids. Hetfield refused to directly respond to the fan's comments towards Mötley Crüe but did find humor in his insults toward the band.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUsFrHvJX_0|title=JAMES HETFIELD MEETS A MOTLEY CRUE HATER (GETS REALLY UNCOMFORTABLE/CRINGY)}}</ref> In 2015, Lee would reignite the feud when he posted a Tweet featuring a picture of Ulrich with the words "Straight Outta Tempo" superimposed over his face. Lee presumably used a meme maker intended to promote the 2015 N.W.A. biopic ''[[Straight Outta Compton (film)|Straight Outta Compton]]''. Following the post by Lee, Vince Neil had stated online that he was unaware of the feud with Metallica, however during a later interview with an [[Oregon]] radio show, Neil was again asked about the band's current relationship with Metallica and hung up on the show's host.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.contactmusic.com/vince-neil/news/vince-neil-hangs-up-on-radio-host-over-motley-crue-metallica-feud-questions_4951062|title=Vince Neil Hangs Up On Radio Host Over Motley Crue/metallica Feud Questions}}</ref> Things were alleged to have calmed down by 2017, when Hetfield appeared on Sixx's radio show 'Sixx Sense'.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsYmjoHZZTc|title=Deeper With Metallica's James Hetfield (AUDIO)}}</ref> During an interview in 2021, Sixx applauded Metallica's longevity and praised several of their releases during an interview.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rockcelebrities.net/nikki-sixx-discusses-metallicas-success-by-recalling-a-stunning-james-hetfield-moment/|title=Nikki Sixx Discusses Metallica’s Success By Recalling A Stunning James Hetfield Moment}}</ref>
===Guns N' Roses===
Though [[Guns N' Roses]] were initially hired to open for Mötley Crüe during the summer of 1987, things grew hostile between both sides in 1988 after Vince Neil alleged that then-Guns N' Roses guitarist [[Izzy Stradlin]] had assaulted his then-wife Sharisse at the famed Cathouse club, according to Neil and club owner [[Riki Rachtman]]. Things came to a breaking point at the [[1989 MTV Video Music Awards]] ironically following Mötley Crüe's presentation for the award of 'Best Metal Video' to Guns N' Roses, however; only bassist [[Duff McKagan]] and drummer [[Steven Adler]] appeared at the stage to accept the award. Following their performance with [[Tom Petty]], Neil had rushed the side of the stage and threw a punch at Stradlin before being restrained by security. Guns N' Roses frontman [[Axl Rose]] was enraged with the incident, threatening Neil after security had separated the two. During an interview in August 1990, Rose later challenged Neil to a fight during an interview with [[Kurt Loder]], claiming ''"Anytime he wants it, Atlantic City; I Don't Care, We'll put money on it."''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thethings.com/what-happened-between-axl-rose-and-vince-neil/|title=What Happened Between Axl Rose And Vince Neil?}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/bitter-feud-between-axl-rose-vince-neil/|title=The Bitter Feud Between Axl Rose and Vince Neil |first1=Arun |last1=Starkey |date=2022-07-03 |accessdate=2023-04-21}}</ref> Neil responded in early 1991 by also challenging Rose to a fight: ''"Axl if you are watching this, I want to challenge you to a fight. I'm gonna give you time and I'm gonna give you the place. There's no backing out now buddy. It's time to put up or shut up."'', later expressing his intent to possibly host the fight in an arena.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rockcelebrities.net/the-truth-behind-why-motley-crues-vince-neil-challenged-axl-rose-to-a-fight/|title=The Truth Behind Why Mötley Crüe’s Vince Neil Challenged Axl Rose To A Fight}}</ref> Reportedly, [[Eddie Van Halen]] and then-current [[Van Halen]] singer [[Sammy Hagar]] had offered money to possibly host the fight at [[Madison Square Garden]] in [[New York City]]. However, for unknown reasons, neither Rose or Neil responded to the offer. Neil claims Stradlin had called him with an apology for the incident, but the 1991 Guns N' Roses track "[[Use Your Illusion II|Shotgun Blues]]" was allegedly a [[diss track]] aimed at Neil.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZvCqR0NPYE|title=Axl Rose vs Vince Neil Feud: Guns N Roses vs Motley Crue}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://rockpasta.com/the-story-behind-axl-rose-and-vince-neils-infamous-feud/|title=The Story behind Axl Rose and Vince Neil's Feud}}</ref> Tensions were reported to have died down shortly afterwards when both Tommy Lee and former Guns N' Roses guitarist [[Gilby Clarke]] participated with former-Metallica bassist [[Jason Newsted]] in a reality show entitled 'Rockstar: Supernova' as they would contribute musical parts in the show's contest to find a vocalist of the newly formed supergroup. Things remained cordial until 2009 when Neil had lobbed insults towards Axl in response to Guns N' Roses' most recent album ''[[Chinese Democracy]]'', calling the record a flop and criticizing Rose for his management of the band at the time. In 2014, Revolver magazine honored Rose by calling him 'The World's Greatest Singer', Neil jokingly mocked the award on twitter, but deleted his response shortly afterward.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rockandrolltruestories.com/why-vince-neil-attacked-izzy-stradlin/|title=Why Motley Crue’s Vince Neil Attacked Guns N’ Roses’ Izzy Stradlin}}</ref>
===Godsmack===
The feud between [[alternative metal]] band [[Godsmack]] and Mötley Crüe stems from the two sides clashing after Godsmack was hired as one of several supporting acts for Mötley Crüe during the band's 2009 [[Crüe Fest 2]] tour. Godsmack frontman [[Sully Erna]] and drummer [[Shannon Larkin]] have claimed the feud originated from Mötley Crüe's treatment of the support bands on tour, particularly Godsmack's fans who allegedly often left venues early following their own performance. Larkin recalls in a 2011 interview with [[Loudwire]]: ''"Motley Crue's security were real weird with our guests getting backstage, like our guests might want to look at Motley Crue. Our guests were there to see us and they didn't care a shit about Mötley Crüe. Mötley Crüe is a legendary band that we all respect. When I was 17, I had 'Shout at the Devil' but it just kind of fronted us a little that they would think that our guests would be star-struck over them. So, that's where the bad blood came from."''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/godsmack-shannon-larkin-explains-sully-erna-nikki-sixx-feud/|title=Godsmack's Shannon Larkin explains Sully Erna-Nikki Sixx feud}}</ref> Sully Erna allegedly penned the 2010 track "[[Cryin' Like a Bitch]]" about Sixx in regards to his behavior towards Godsmack during the tour, though Shannon Larkin claims the song was written about former [[San Diego Chargers]] quarterback [[Philip Rivers]]. Sixx continued in a war of insults with the band as he alleged that Godsmack had asked to appear on his radio show multiple times, due to initial allegations of it being written as a [[diss track]] aimed at Sixx.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rockcelebrities.net/the-godsmack-song-written-to-attack-motley-crues-nikki-sixx/|title=The Godsmack Song Written to Attack Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx |website=rockcelebrities.net |first1=Elif |last1=Ozden |date=2021-12-26}}</ref> During a 2015 appearance on the 'Jasta Show' hosted by [[Hatebreed]] frontman [[Jamey Jasta]], Erna would attack Sixx further by calling Sixx an 'Old, Fat, Washed-Up Has-Been'. Erna continued the tirade by even challenging Sixx to a fight, claiming: ''"I'll say it straight out: I've never met a bigger fucking dick in my life than Nikki Sixx. He's a douchebag. He's straight-up a fucking douche, and I don't give a fuck what he says. He knows exactly where I am, and he knows exactly how he can find me anytime that motherfucker has the balls to come and look me up''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/godsmack-sully-erna-calls-motley-crue-nikki-sixx-old-fat-washed-up-has-been/ |first1=Joe |last1=DiVata |date=2015-11-28|title=Sully Erna Calls Nikki Sixx an 'Old, Fat, Washed Up, Has-Been}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/godsmacks-shannon-larkin-says-feud-with-motley-crue-was-caused-by-conflict-of-ego-between-sully-erna-and-nikki-sixx|title=GODSMACK's SHANNON LARKIN Says Feud With MÖTLEY CRÜE Was Caused By 'Conflict Of Ego' Between SULLY ERNA And NIKKI SIXX |date=2020-12-28}}</ref> Following the interview; Sixx responded to Erna's comments on a Facebook livestream, calling him a baby. Sixx would also claim the band would refuse any future festival dates if they were booked on the same bill as Godsmack.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grunge.com/613451/inside-godsmacks-feud-with-motley-crue/|title=Inside Godsmack's feud with Motley Crue |first1=Lorenzo |last1=Tanos |date=2021-09-23 |accessdate=2023-04-21 |website=grunge.com}}</ref>
===Steel Panther===
The comedic glam metal band [[Steel Panther]] engaged in a feud with Mötley Crüe following a tour between the two bands and [[Def Leppard]] in 2011. Numerous members of Steel Panther claim they were heavily influenced by Mötley Crüe's music, however; touring with the band exhibited a hostile environment, particularly from Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee. In the years following the tour, guitarist [[Satchel (musician)|Satchel]] claimed Tommy Lee had been rather hostile towards multiple band members due to allegations that he and singer [[Michael Starr (singer)|Michael Starr]] had sex with Lee's girlfriend at the time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://metalheadzone.com/steel-panther-star-claims-that-he-had-sex-with-motley-crue-members-wife/|title=Steel Panther Star claims he had sex with Tommy Lee's girlfriend |first1=Eren Merdan |last1=Gursoy |date=2020-01-13 |accessdate=2023-04-21}}</ref> Starr also commented on Mötley Crüe's other feud with Godsmack, claiming Sully Erna would severely beat Sixx in a fistfight.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sofa-king-cool-magazine.com/steel-panther-singer-says-sully-erna-could-punch-the-shit-out-of-nikki-sixx/|title=Sully Erna could punch the shit out of Nikki Sixx}}</ref> In a 2015 interview, Starr would claim the members of Mötley Crüe take themselves too seriously given the comedic nature of Steel Panther's music. Sixx would respond in 2016 claiming he prioritized taking his musical contributions much more seriously. During a 2018 interview, Satchel claimed ''"There are bands that hate our guts... We did a tour a few years ago with Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe"''. Things escalated in 2019 when drummer [[Stix Zadinia]] and Starr appeared in a video on the channel 'Little Punk People' where the two were asked which dead musicians they could revive; Starr jokingly claimed he wanted to bring back Vince Neil from the 1980s, enraging Sixx who later attacked Starr on twitter for his comment. Shortly following the response from Sixx, Steel Panther's band account replied with an interview Mötley Crüe gave from 1994 (whilst Neil was not a part of the band), in which Sixx and guitarist Mick Mars mocked and joked at Neil's weight following a jet ski accident.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/motley-crue-nikki-sixx-backstabbers-steel-panther/|title=Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx fires shot at 'Backstabbers' Steel Panther |first1=Graham |last1=Hartmann |date=2019-10-18 |accessdate=2023-04-21}}</ref> Though Mötley Crüe would not respond to the post, multiple band members of Steel Panther have praised Mötley Crüe's music as influential in multiple interviews afterwards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://metalinjection.net/news/feuds/steel-panther-frontman-if-i-could-bring-one-musician-back-from-the-dead-itd-be-motley-crues-vince-neil|title=Steel Panther frontman: 'If I could bring one musician back from the dead, it'd be Motley Crue's Vince Neil |first1=Robert |last1=Pasbani |date=2019-10-12 |accessdate=2023-04-21}}</ref>
=== Mick Mars ===
On October 27, 2022, cofounding guitarist Mick Mars publicly announced his retirement from touring with the band after nearly 42 years due to complications with [[Ankylosing spondylitis]], a degenerative form of inflammatory Arthritis leaving him unable to perform on tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/motley-crue-mick-mars-lawsuit-ankylosing-spondylitis/|title=Mötley Crüe guitarist Mick Mars sues band, claiming he was fired for "horrific" disease |first1=Aimee |last1=Picchi |date=2023-04-11 |accessdate=2023-04-21 |publisher=[[CBS News]]}}</ref> Shortly afterwards, the band announced longtime [[Rob Zombie]] guitarist [[John 5 (guitarist)|John 5]] would be his replacement during the ongoing tour. Famed drummer [[Carmine Appice]] who was a friend of Mars', gave an interview on March 13, 2023 to [[Ultimate Guitar]]. When asked for his thoughts on Mars' decision to retire, Appice claimed he had lost enjoyment for touring in addition to his declining health.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/carmine-appice-claims-mick-mars-wasnt-happy-on-motley-crues-the-stadium-tour|title=CARMINE APPICE Claims MICK MARS 'Wasn't Happy' On MÖTLEY CRÜE's 'The Stadium Tour'}}</ref> Enraged with the comments, Nikki Sixx responded on twitter; attacking Appice, referring to him as 'a washed up drummer'.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://guitar.com/news/music-news/nikki-sixx-refutes-carmine-appice-mick-mars-claims/|title=Nikki Sixx tears into Carmine Appice over claims that Mick Mars ‘wasn’t happy’ with Mötley Crüe}}</ref> Following Sixx's comments; Mars would begin to attack the band during an interview with [[Variety Magazine]] published April 6, 2023, claiming the band's severance payout was 'laughable' as his royalties had allegedly been cut to 7.5% as a result of his retirement. Mars further claimed he was forced to retire as opposed to being fired by the band based on their own displeasure with his medical ailments.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/08/arts/music/mick-mars-motley-crue-lawsuit.html|title=Mötley Crüe Guitarist’s Lawsuit Says He Was Kicked Out}}</ref> On April 7, 2023, Mars publicly filed a lawsuit against Mötley Crüe in the [[Los Angeles County Superior Court]] for unpaid royalties, claiming the band had severely cut his touring royalty agreement from 25% to 5% as a direct result of his retirement. The band's representative Sasha Frid had revealed claims that a 2008 legal agreement signed by all four bandmembers had documented that no resigning participants would receive the same compensation attributable to live performances or merchandise sales if a particular member had chosen to quit the band.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/04/12/motley-crue-vs-mick-mars-what-know-contentious-dispute/11652494002/|title=Mötley Crüe sued by guitarist Mick Mars: What to know about the rock band's civil war}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/mick-mars-on-motley-crue-lawsuit-i-carried-these-bastards-for-years-3427753|title=Mick Mars on Mötley Crüe lawsuit: "I carried these bastards for years"}}</ref> Mars' attorney Ed McPherson publicly attacked the band in a statement due to their failure to reveal updated financial documents in regards to Mars' payout agreement following his retirement in October. According to Mars' accounts in the lawsuit; he claims that the band had also forced him to sell off his remaining share in the band, labeling their behavior as 'bullying'. Nikki Sixx would make a public statement on twitter expressing his disappointment with the lawsuit but offered his public support for Mars nonetheless. Following this statement Mars would further attack the band in a Variety article, taking aim at Lee and Neil for their previous legal incidents and alleged the band had been performing with a backing track throughout the tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/motley-crue-lawsuit-mick-mars-explained-lawyer-manager-1235580026/|title=Unpacking Motley Crue’s Mess: Manager Slams Mick Mars’ ‘Smear Campaign’; Guitarist’s Lawyer Says He Is 'Tired of Being Bullied' (EXCLUSIVE)}}</ref> As of July 2023, the matter remained in litigation.
===John Corabi===
Following the firing of Vince Neil in 1992, Mötley Crüe would hire John Corabi as their new lead singer prior to the recording of their 1994 self-titled album. Fan reactions were mixed due to the uncharted nature of the band's change in sound with Corabi, in addition to their new stylistic direction of the 1990s. As the band began writing for their upcoming seventh album ''[[Generation Swine]]'', tensions over the album's creative direction began to surface between the band and Corabi. Corabi blamed much of the poor songwriting and production on Nikki Sixx's leadership while Sixx blamed Corabi for being unable to write songs fluidly. The band had previously hired new manager Allen Kovac in 1994 prior to the release of the self-titled album, however the mixed response to the record in addition to backlash towards Corabi from longtime fans proved to be strenuous on the band's public image, resulting in the band firing Corabi during the recording process of ''Generation Swine''. The band were forced by management and fan responses to rehire Neil, however; tensions with Corabi remained hostile for multiple years following the split. Corabi would later sue the band in 1997 due to removal of his songwriting credits on the album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/john-corabi-explains-his-1997-lawsuit-against-motley-crue-im-not-anybodys-doormat|title=John Corabi Explains His 1997 Lawsuit Against MÖTLEY CRÜE: 'I'm Not Anybody's Doormat'}}</ref> Despite the tensions; Corabi took part in a short-lived supergroup with Sixx entitled [[Brides of Destruction]] with former [[L.A. Guns]] guitarist [[Tracii Guns]] in 2003. Corabi later outlined his tensions with Sixx would resurface during the project and would attack Sixx during multiple public interviews for his poor leadership and even insulted his playing abilities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rockcelebrities.net/ex-motley-crue-singer-john-corabi-reflects-on-his-feud-with-nikki-sixx/|title=Ex-Mötley Crüe Singer John Corabi Reflects On His Feud With Nikki Sixx}}</ref> Following guitarist Mick Mars' lawsuit against the band in 2023, Corabi expressed his support for Mars while criticizing the band's poor financial decisions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2022/11/30/john-corabi-thinks-motley-crue-is-lying-about-mick-mars-retirement-statement/|title=John Corabi Thinks Mötley Crüe is Lying About Mick Mars Retirement Statement}}</ref>
==Legacy==
Music critic [[Martin Popoff]]'s book ''[[The Top 500 Heavy Metal Songs of All Time]]'' lists seven of the band's songs in its ranking.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Popoff |first1=Martin |title=The Top 500 Heavy Metal Songs of All Time |date=2003 |publisher=ECW Press |isbn=9781550225303}}</ref> Mötley Crüe was ranked tenth on MTV's list of "Top 10 Heavy Metal Bands of All-Time" and ninth on "VH1's All Time Top Ten Metal Bands".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/metal/greatest_metal_bands/071406/index11.jhtml |title=MTVNews.com: The Greatest Metal Bands Of All Time |publisher=Mtv.com |date=March 9, 2006 |access-date=June 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100728022458/http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/metal/greatest_metal_bands/071406/index11.jhtml |archive-date=July 28, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> Music website [[Loudwire]] named the band the 22nd greatest metal band of all time.<ref>{{cite web |title=Top 50 Metal Bands of All Time |url=https://loudwire.com/top-metal-bands-of-all-time/ |website=Loudwire |access-date=December 8, 2019 |archive-date=December 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208190751/https://loudwire.com/top-metal-bands-of-all-time/ |url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' named ''Shout at the Devil'' the 11th best metal album of all time.<ref>{{cite web |title=40 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time |url=https://www.spin.com/2019/10/best-metal-albums/ |website=Spin |date=October 30, 2019 |access-date=8 December 2019 |archive-date=December 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205130627/https://www.spin.com/2019/10/best-metal-albums/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2013 ''[[LA Weekly]]'' named the band the 3rd best "hair metal" band of all time.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Steininger |first1=Adam |title=The 15 Best Hair Metal Bands of All Time |url=https://www.laweekly.com/the-15-best-hair-metal-bands-of-all-time/ |website=L.A. Weekly |date=September 3, 2013 |access-date=December 8, 2019 |archive-date=November 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106100643/https://www.laweekly.com/the-15-best-hair-metal-bands-of-all-time/ |url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone magazine|Rolling Stone]]'' named ''Too Fast For Love'' the 22nd best metal album of all time.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The 100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/the-100-greatest-metal-albums-of-all-time-113614/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=June 21, 2017 |access-date=8 December 2019 |archive-date=November 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191114041408/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/the-100-greatest-metal-albums-of-all-time-113614/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2006, the band received a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Motley Crue Gets Hollywood Walk of Fame Star |url=https://www.tmz.com/2006/01/25/motley-crue-gets-hollywood-walk-of-fame-star/ |website=TMZ |access-date=8 December 2019 |archive-date=December 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208162921/https://www.tmz.com/2006/01/25/motley-crue-gets-hollywood-walk-of-fame-star/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2014, the tribute album ''[[Nashville Outlaws: A Tribute to Mötley Crüe|Nashville Outlaws]]'' was released, featuring country music stars including [[Rascal Flatts]], [[LeAnn Rimes]] and [[Darius Rucker]] covering various Mötley Crüe songs.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Nashville Outlaws: A Tribute to Mötley Crüe |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/nashville-outlaws-a-tribute-to-motley-crue-93314/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=August 19, 2014 |access-date=8 December 2019 |archive-date=December 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208151912/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/nashville-outlaws-a-tribute-to-motley-crue-93314/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The album debuted at number 2 on the ''Billboard'' Country Album chart and number 5 on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Grien |first1=Paul |title=Chart Watch: Nashville Salutes…Motley Crue?!! |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/blogs/chart-watch/chart-watch-nashville-salutes-motley-crue-170929070.html |website=Yahoo! Music |access-date=8 December 2019 |archive-date=December 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208151906/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/blogs/chart-watch/chart-watch-nashville-salutes-motley-crue-170929070.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
==Band members==
'''Current members'''<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Ultimate Classic Rock StaffUltimate Classic Rock |title=Motley Crue Lineup Changes: A Complete Guide |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/motley-crue-lineup-changes/ |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Nikki Sixx]] – bass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals {{small|(1981–2002, 2004–2015, 2018–present)}}
* [[Tommy Lee]] – drums, piano, backing vocals {{small|(1981–1999, 2004–2015, 2018–present)}}
* [[Vince Neil]] – lead vocals, rhythm guitar {{small|(1981–1992, 1997–2002, 2004–2015, 2018–present)}}
* [[John 5 (guitarist)|John 5]] — lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals {{small|(2023–present; touring 2022–2023)}}<ref name="john5touring"/><ref name=":3"/><ref name="j5member"/>
'''Current touring musicians'''
*Laura D'Anzieri — backing vocals, dancer {{small|(2022–present)}}<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Shover |first=Joel |date=2022-08-10 |title=Stadium Tour Makes Historic Run in Boston’s Fenway Park {{!}} Live Music News |url=https://livemusicnewsandreview.com/2022/08/stadium-tour-makes-historic-run-in-bostons-fenway-park/ |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=livemusicnewsandreview.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=JANES |first=THÉODEN |date=30 June 2022 |title=Review: Did Def Leppard-Motley Crue-Poison-Joan Jett concert (finally) go as planned? |work=The Charlotte Observer |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainment/music-news-reviews/article262768648.html}}</ref>
*Bailey Swift — backing vocals, dancer {{small|(2022–present)}}<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" />
*Hannah Sutton — backing vocals, dancer {{small|(2022–present)}}<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" />
'''Former members<ref name=":0" />'''
* [[Greg Leon]] — lead and rhythm guitars, lead vocals {{small|(1981)}}<ref name="UCR" /><ref name="Greg Leon interview" /><ref name="Ozemail" />
* [[Mick Mars]] — lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals {{small|(1981–2002, 2004–2015, 2018–2023; retired from touring 2022–2023)}}<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=2023-02-11 |title=Watch: MÖTLEY CRÜE Plays First Concert With New Guitarist JOHN 5 |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/watch-motley-crue-plays-first-concert-with-new-guitarist-john-5 |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref>
* Michael White — lead vocals {{small|(1981)}}<ref name="Notorious" />
* [[John Corabi]] — lead vocals, rhythm guitar, bass guitar {{small|(1992–1997)}}
* [[Randy Castillo]] — drums {{small|(1999–2000; died 2002)}}
'''Former touring musicians'''
* Emi Canyn — backing vocals {{small|(1987–1991; died 2017)}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=RIP … Emi Canyn Mars, former Motley Crue backup singer and ex-wife to Mick Mars has passed away |url=https://metalsludge.tv/rip-emi-canyn-mars-former-motley-crue-backup-singer-and-ex-wife-to-mick-mars-has-passed-away/ |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=Metal Sludge |language=en}}</ref>
* Donna McDaniel — backing vocals {{small|(1987–1991)}}<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=mag |first=rock candy |date=25 November 2017 |title=motley-crue |url=https://www.rockcandymag.com/storage/app/media/latest-issue/issue5/motley-crue.pdf |magazine=rockcandymag |pages=69, 71 |access-date=13 February 2023}}</ref>
* Jozie DiMaria — dancer {{small|(1999, 2005–2006)}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metalsludge.tv/?p=27175 |title=3-Wind with Nikki Sixx, 10/8/01 |work=Metal Sludge |access-date=October 7, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011231046/http://www.metalsludge.tv/?p=27175 |archive-date=October 11, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Pearl Aday]] — backing vocals {{small|(2000)}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nwitimes.com/entertainment/music/pearl-aday-follows-in-father-s-footsteps/article_1b65bc1f-c82b-588b-bbb6-ae6e8a558bfa.html |title=Pearl Aday follows in father's footsteps |first=Tom Lounges – Times |last=Correspondent |access-date=February 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914094301/https://www.nwitimes.com/entertainment/music/pearl-aday-follows-in-father-s-footsteps/article_1b65bc1f-c82b-588b-bbb6-ae6e8a558bfa.html |archive-date=September 14, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Samantha Maloney]] — drums {{small|(2000–2002)}}<ref name=":0" />
* [[Will Hunt]] — drums {{Small|(2006, 2007, 2008)}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=2022-02-06 |title=EVANESCENCE's WILL HUNT On Filling In For TOMMY LEE On MÖTLEY CRÜE Tour: 'There Was An Immense Amount Of Pressure To Pull It Off' |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/evanescences-will-hunt-on-filling-in-for-tommy-lee-on-motley-crue-tour-there-was-an-immense-amount-of-pressure-to-pull-it-off/ |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Rose Blabbermouth" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Yeniocak |first=Su |date=2022-02-08 |title=Will Hunt Admits Using Cheat Sheet Notes To Replace Tommy Lee In Mötley Crüe |url=https://rockcelebrities.net/will-hunt-admits-using-cheat-sheet-notes-to-replace-tommy-lee-in-motley-crue/ |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=Rock Celebrities |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Morgan Rose]] — drums {{small|(2009)}}<ref name="Rose Blabbermouth">{{Cite web |date=August 16, 2009 |title=Mötley Crüe With Sevendust's Morgan Rose: First Video Footage Posted Online |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/m-tley-cr-e-with-sevendust-s-morgan-rose-first-video-footage-posted-online/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413123353/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/m-tley-cr-e-with-sevendust-s-morgan-rose-first-video-footage-posted-online/ |archive-date=April 13, 2014 |access-date=April 16, 2014 |publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]. [[Roadrunner Records]] |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name=":0" />
* Allison Kyler — backing vocals, dancer {{small|(2011–2015)}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sludge |first=Metal |title=Crue back-up singer Allison Kyler spills her Motley guts. {{!}} Metal Sludge |url=https://metalsludge.tv/classic/?p=35198 |access-date=2023-02-12 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":6" />
* Annalisia Simone — backing vocals, dancer {{small|(2011)}}<ref name=":6">{{Citation |last=auburn_reporter |title=Mötley Crüe |date=2012-08-18 |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/38030354@N05/7841557368/ |access-date=2023-02-12}}</ref>
* [[Sofia Toufa]] — backing vocals, dancer {{small|(2012–2015)}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lindquist |first=David |title=In Indianapolis, Motley Crue limps toward finish line |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/entertainment/music/2014/07/06/motley-crue-indiana-dirt-final-klipsch-mick-mars-nikki-sixx/12264829/ |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=The Indianapolis Star |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Tommy Clufetos]] — drums {{small|(2022; substitute for Tommy Lee)}}<ref name="Heavy Consequence Staff">{{Cite web |title=Tommy Lee Exits Mötley Crüe's Reunion Tour Kickoff Five Songs into Set Due to Broken Ribs: Watch |publisher=[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]]. |date=June 16, 2022 |access-date=June 17, 2022 |url=https://consequence.net/2022/06/tommy-lee-motley-crue-tour-kickoff-broken-ribs/ |df=mdy-all}}</ref>
'''Timeline'''
{{#tag:timeline|
ImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:22
PlotArea = left:110 bottom:100 top:10 right:10
Alignbars = justify
DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy
Period = from:01/01/1981 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}}
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4
ScaleMajor = increment:3 start:1981
ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1981
Colors =
id:lvocals value:red legend:Lead_vocals
id:lguitar value:teal legend:Lead_guitar
id:rguitar value:green legend:Rhythm_guitar
id:bass value:blue legend:Bass_guitar
id:keys value:purple legend:Keyboards
id:drums value:orange legend:Drums
id:dance value:claret legend:Dancer
id:bvocals value:pink legend:Backing_vocals
id:touring value:yellow legend:Touring_member
id:studio value:black legend:Studio_albums
id:live value:gray(0.6) legend:Live_release_recordings
id:bars value:gray(0.95)
BackgroundColors = bars:bars
BarData =
bar:Michael text:"Michael White"
bar:Vince text:"Vince Neil"
bar:John text:"John Corabi"
bar:Greg text:"Greg Leon"
bar:Mick text:"Mick Mars"
bar:John5 text:"John 5"
bar:Nikki text:"Nikki Sixx"
bar:Tommy text:"Tommy Lee"
bar:Randy text:"Randy Castillo"
bar:Samantha text:"Samantha Maloney"
bar:Will text:"Will Hunt"
bar:Morgan text:"Morgan Rose"
bar:Clufetos text:"Tommy Clufetos"
bar:Jozie text:"Jozie DiMaria"
bar:Emi text:"Emi Canyn"
bar:Donna text:"Donna McDaniel"
bar:Pearl text:"Pearl Aday"
bar:Allison text:"Allison Kyler"
bar:Simone text:"Annalisia Simone"
bar:Sofia text:"Sofia Toufa"
bar:Laura text:"Laura D'Anzieri"
bar:Bailey text:"Bailey Swift"
bar:Hannah text:"Hannah Sutton"
LineData =
layer:back color:live
at:04/24/1981 #Live in Starwood
at:11/19/1982 #Live: Entertainment or Death
at:05/29/1983 #U.S. Rock Festival
at:03/14/1984
at:11/25/1985
at:10/15/1987 #Live in Tacoma
at:07/31/1990
at:07/10/1994 #Live in Nobleswille, IN
at:07/12/1994 #Live in Weedsport, NY
at:12/02/1998
at:03/10/1999
at:04/27/2005 #Carnival of Sins
at:12/31/2015 #The End: Live in Los Angeles
<!--Unmarked dates also included in Live: Entertainment or Death-->
color:studio
at:11/10/1981 #Too Fast to Love
at:09/26/1983 #Shout in the Devil
at:06/21/1985 #Theater of Pain
at:05/15/1987 #Girls, Girls, Girls
at:09/01/1989 #Dr. Feelgood
at:03/15/1994 #Mötley Crüe
at:06/24/1997 #The Final Swing
at:07/11/2000 #New Tattoo
at:06/24/2008 #Saints of Los Angeles
PlotData =
width:13 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(11,-4)
color:lvocals
bar:Greg from:start till:03/14/1981 width:3
bar:Michael from:03/15/1981 till:03/31/1981
bar:Vince from:04/01/1981 till:02/15/1992
bar:John from:03/01/1992 till:02/14/1997
bar:Vince from:02/15/1997 till:11/19/2002
bar:Vince from:09/01/2004 till:12/31/2015
bar:Vince from:09/13/2018 till:end
color:lguitar
bar:Greg from:start till:03/14/1981
bar:Mick from:03/15/1981 till:11/19/2002
bar:Mick from:09/01/2004 till:12/31/2015
bar:Mick from:09/13/2018 till:10/26/2022
bar:Mick from:10/27/2022 till:04/07/2023 width:7
bar:John5 from:10/27/2022 till:end
color:rguitar
bar:Greg from:start till:03/14/1981 width:7
bar:Mick from:03/15/1981 till:08/28/1989 width:7
bar:Vince from:09/01/1989 till:02/15/1992 width:3
bar:John from:03/01/1992 till:06/14/1993 width:3
bar:John from:06/15/1993 till:01/14/1994 width:7
bar:John from:01/15/1994 till:02/14/1997 width:3
bar:Mick from:02/15/1997 till:06/30/1997 width:7
bar:Vince from:07/01/1997 till:12/31/1999 width:3
bar:Mick from:01/01/2000 till:05/26/2000 width:7
bar:Vince from:06/10/2000 till:11/19/2002 width:3
bar:Vince from:09/01/2004 till:12/31/2005 width:3
bar:Mick from:01/01/2006 till:06/30/2008 width:7
bar:Vince from:07/01/2008 till:12/31/2015 width:3
bar:Vince from:09/13/2018 till:end width:3
color:bass
bar:Nikki from:start till:11/19/2002
bar:Nikki from:09/01/2004 till:12/31/2015
bar:John from:06/15/1993 till:01/14/1994 width:3
bar:Nikki from:09/13/2018 till:end
color:keys
bar:Nikki from:01/01/1985 till:04/30/1985 width:7
bar:Tommy from:01/01/1985 till:12/31/1987 width:7
bar:Nikki from:05/15/1987 till:02/15/1992 width:7
bar:Nikki from:06/15/1993 till:01/14/1994 width:7
bar:Tommy from:03/01/1992 till:01/15/1999 width:7
bar:Tommy from:09/01/2012 till:12/31/2015 width:7
bar:Tommy from:09/13/2018 till:end width:7
color:drums
bar:Tommy from:start till:01/15/1999
bar:Randy from:02/01/1999 till:05/26/2000
bar:Samantha from:06/10/2000 till:11/19/2002
bar:Tommy from:09/01/2004 till:12/31/2015
bar:Will from:04/01/2006 till:04/30/2006
bar:Will from:06/01/2007 till:06/30/2007
bar:Morgan from:08/16/2009 till:09/30/2009
bar:Tommy from:09/13/2018 till:end
bar:Clufetos from:06/17/2022 till:10/26/2022
color:dance
bar:Jozie from:02/01/1999 till:12/31/1999
bar:Jozie from:01/01/2005 till:12/31/2006
bar:Allison from:01/01/2011 till:12/31/2015 width:7
bar:Simone from:01/01/2011 till:12/31/2011 width:7
bar:Sofia from:01/01/2012 till:12/31/2015 width:7
bar:Laura from:01/01/2022 till:end width:7
bar:Bailey from:01/01/2022 till:end width:7
bar:Hannah from:01/01/2022 till:end width:7
color:bars
bar:John from:04/07/2023 till:04/07/2023
color:bvocals width:3
bar:Mick from:03/15/1981 till:11/19/2002
bar:Tommy from:09/15/1981 till:11/30/1981
bar:Nikki from:04/15/1983 till:11/19/2002
bar:Tommy from:04/15/1983 till:01/15/1999
bar:Emi from:01/01/1987 till:12/31/1991 width:11
bar:Donna from:01/01/1987 till:12/31/1991 width:11
bar:Pearl from:06/10/2000 till:12/31/2000 width:11
bar:Nikki from:09/01/2004 till:12/31/2015
bar:Tommy from:09/01/2004 till:12/31/2015
bar:Mick from:09/01/2004 till:12/31/2015
bar:Allison from:01/01/2011 till:12/31/2015 width:11
bar:Simone from:01/01/2011 till:12/31/2011 width:11
bar:Sofia from:01/01/2012 till:12/31/2015 width:11
bar:Nikki from:09/13/2018 till:end
bar:Tommy from:09/13/2018 till:end
bar:Mick from:09/13/2018 till:04/07/2023
bar:Laura from:01/01/2022 till:end width:11
bar:Bailey from:01/01/2022 till:end width:11
bar:Hannah from:01/01/2022 till:end width:11
bar:John5 from:10/27/2022 till:end
color:touring width:3
bar:Emi from:01/01/1987 till:12/31/1991
bar:Donna from:01/01/1987 till:12/31/1991
bar:Emi from:01/01/1987 till:12/31/1991
bar:Donna from:01/01/1987 till:12/31/1991
bar:Jozie from:02/01/1999 till:12/31/1999
bar:Pearl from:06/10/2000 till:12/31/2000
bar:Samantha from:06/10/2000 till:11/19/2002
bar:Jozie from:01/01/2005 till:12/31/2006
bar:Will from:04/01/2006 till:04/30/2006
bar:Will from:06/01/2007 till:06/30/2007
bar:Morgan from:08/16/2009 till:09/30/2009
bar:Allison from:01/01/2011 till:12/31/2015
bar:Simone from:01/01/2011 till:12/31/2011
bar:Sofia from:01/01/2012 till:12/31/2015
bar:Laura from:01/01/2022 till:end
bar:Bailey from:01/01/2022 till:end
bar:Hannah from:01/01/2022 till:end
bar:Clufetos from:06/17/2022 till:10/26/2022
bar:John5 from:10/27/2022 till:04/07/2023 width:7
}}
==Awards and nominations==
{{main|List of awards and nominations received by Mötley Crüe}}
==Discography==
{{Main|Mötley Crüe discography}}
<!--ONLY studio albums belong here. See Mötley Crüe's full discography (Decade of Decadence, Red, White & Crüe, The Dirt, Quaternary, etc.) at its own article.-->
* ''[[Too Fast for Love]]'' (1981)
* ''[[Shout at the Devil]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Theatre of Pain]]'' (1985)
* ''[[Girls, Girls, Girls (Mötley Crüe album)|Girls, Girls, Girls]]'' (1987)
* ''[[Dr. Feelgood (album)|Dr. Feelgood]]'' (1989)
* ''[[Mötley Crüe (album)|Mötley Crüe]]'' (1994)
* ''[[Generation Swine]]'' (1997)
* ''[[New Tattoo]]'' (2000)
* ''[[Saints of Los Angeles]]'' (2008)
==Tours==
<!-- Only the band's tours in which they headlined or co-headlined should be placed here. Do not add concert tours that they supported another band on. -->
* 1981: ''Anywhere, USA'' Tour
* 1981–1982: ''Boys in Action'' Tour
* 1982: ''Crüesing Through Canada'' Tour
* 1983-1984: ''Shout at the Devil Tour''
* 1985–1986: ''Welcome to the Theatre of Pain'' Tour
* 1987: ''Girls, Girls, Girls'' Tour
* 1989–1990: ''Dr. Feelgood World'' Tour
* 1991: ''Monsters of Rock'' Tour
* 1994: ''Anywhere There's Electricity'' Tour
* 1997: ''Live Swine Listening Party'' Tour
* 1997: ''Mötley Crüe vs. The Earth'' Tour
* 1998–1999: ''Greatest Hits'' Tour
* June–September 1999: ''Maximum Rock'' Tour
* 1999: ''Welcome to the Freekshow'' Tour
* 2000: ''Maximum Rock 2000'' Tour
* 2000: ''New Tattoo'' Tour
* 2005: ''Red, White & Crüe ... Better Live Than Dead'' Tour
* 2005–2006: ''Carnival of Sins'' Tour
* 2007: ''Mötley Crüe'' Tour
* July–August 2008: ''[[Crüe Fest]]'' Tour
* October 2008{{Snd}} July 2009: ''Saints of Los Angeles'' Tour
* July–September 2010: ''[[Crüe Fest 2]]'' Tour
* 2010: ''The Dead of Winter'' Tour
* 2010: ''[[Ozzfest#2010|Ozzfest]]'' Tour
* 2011: ''Glam-A-Geddon'' Tour
* October 2011: ''Mötley Crüe 30th Anniversary'' Tour
* 2011: ''Mötley Crüe England'' Tour
* 2012: ''European'' Tour
* July 2012–March 2013: ''[[The Tour (Kiss and Mötley Crüe)|The Tour]]''
* April–July 2013: ''North American Tour''
* July 2014{{Snd}} December 2015: ''[[Mötley Crüe Final Tour|The Final Tour]]''
* June 2022–September 2022: ''[[The Stadium Tour]]''
* February 2023–August 2023: ''[[The World Tour]]''
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
==References==
===Citations===
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
{{sister project links|d=Q486688|c=category:Mötley Crüe|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|wikt=no|s=no|m=no|mw=no|species=no}}
* {{Official website|http://www.motley.com}}
* {{Curlie|Arts/Music/Bands_and_Artists/M/Motley_Crue/}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20190718025928/http://cruetube.com/ Mötley Crüe Videos]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20190116004225/http://www.cruefest.com/ Mötley Crüe Tour Page]
* [https://www.flickr.com/photos/melodicrockconcerts/sets/72157624592560715/ Mötley Crüe live photo gallery]
* [https://www.playslots.net/motley-crue/ Mötley Crüe Slot Machine]
{{Mötley Crüe}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Motley Crue}}
[[Category:Mötley Crüe| ]]
[[Category:1981 establishments in California]]
[[Category:2015 disestablishments in California]]
[[Category:Elektra Records artists]]
[[Category:Glam metal musical groups from California]]
[[Category:Hard rock musical groups from California]]
[[Category:Heavy metal musical groups from California]]
[[Category:Kerrang! Awards winners]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2015]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1981]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Musical groups reestablished in 2018]]
[[Category:Musical quartets]]
[[Category:Roadrunner Records artists]]' |
