Tommy Lee
Motley Crue - United States

Overview

One of the most influential drummers of the 80’s, Tommy Lee, is still rocking the stage today with Mötley Crüe.  Born in Athens, Greece, Lee began playing drums at the age of four. He started rocking on his first drum set as a teenager and was listening to the bands Queen, Judas Priest, Led Zeppelin, and Deep Purple. His favorite drummer and main influence, Peter Criss from Kiss, led him to join the marching band in high school. However, Lee dropped out of school his senior year to pursue music. 

After leaving high school, he started performing with his first band Suite 19 in the late 70’s. During this time, he met bandmate Nikki Sixx. Soon after, Mick Mars joined the band and recommended singer, Vince Neil, whom Tommy knew from high school, to form the band Mötley Crüe. In 1981, Mötley Crüe released their first album Too Fast for Love. The band got its start touring with Kiss and it wasn’t long before they had a large fan base of their own. Several hit singles such as Shout at the Devil, Girls, Girls, Girls and Dr. Feelgood soon made Mötley Crüe one of the biggest rock bands of the 80’s. 

Lee left Mötley Crüe in 1999 to pursue a solo career; his first endeavor being the formation of the band Methods of Mayhem.  Besides playing for Mötley Crüe and Methods of Mayhem, Lee made appearances with Richard Marx, Stuart Hamm, Nine Inch Nails, Rob Zombie, Jack’s Mannequin, and Fuel. In 2002, he released his first solo album Never a Dull Moment. Lee released Tommyland, his autobiography in 2004, which was followed up by his second solo album, Tommyland: The Ride (2005). Lee appeared on his first reality show entitled Tommy Lee Goes to College (2005), where he entertained viewers being his usual outlandish self, while studying at the University of Nebraska.  Lee formed a new band, Rock Star Supernova (2006). He also appeared on another reality show in 2008 with rapper, Ludacris, called Battleground Earth. The show involved the two stars being presented with environmental challenges, which reminded viewers to choose to be environmentally friendly.

Lee reunited with Mötley Crüe in 2004 and released the album Red, White & Crüe, which went platinum. After their reunion tour, Mötley Crüe released a live version of the tour entitled Carnival of Sins Live. In 2008, they released an album containing all new tracks titled Saints of Los Angeles. Mötley Crüe’s latest album, Mötley Crüe: Greatest Hits, was released in 2009. Lee is currently on tour with Mötley Crüe rockin’ out on Pearl’s customized clear e-Pro Live Kit Coaster. During the tour, Lee is going all out by riding on the 360° coaster while drumming and is selecting one lucky fan each night to ride along.

Links

www.TommyLee.com
www.Motley.com