The band formed in L.A. in 1981 with Vince Neil on vocals, Tommy Lee on drums, Nikki Sixx on bass and Mick Mars on guitar. Since their first album, Too Fast For Love, the band has undergone several musical transmutations. In their eight-album history, Motley Crue has incorporated heavy metal, glam-pop, Top 40 and alternative grunge into their sound.

In a much publicized power struggle, frontman Neil was fired from the band in 1992 after the release of their sixth and most successful album, Dr. Feelgood. The band re-emerged in 1994 with John Corabi behind the mic and released a self-titled album, which sold more than a million copies.

Motley Crue settled their differences with Neil and welcomed him back into the fold to record 1997's Generation Swine, 13 Motley Crue originals including the chest-beating "Find Myself" and an updated version of their anthem "Shout at the Devil '97". The band followed up the release of Generation Swine with a full-blown North American tour.

The following year, Motley Crue ended its 17-year relationship with Elektra Records with a legal settlement that granted the band full recording and publishing rights to their music catalog. Shortly after, the band released a greatest hits package on their new Motley Records label.

In 1999, Lee left the band after 19 years to form the rap nu metal band Methods Of Mayhem. He was replaced by former Ozzy Osborne drummer Randy Castillo. (Ironically, it was Lee who had originally recommended Castillo for the Osbourne gig).

The Crue pushed on minus Lee, releasing the compilation Live: Entertainment Or Death in 1999, and their latest, New Tattoo, in 2000 on the BMG -- distributed Beyond Music imprint.

In 2003, Sixx announced that there would be a Farewell tour in 2004.  After much debate & denial, all parties seemed to agree that there would be a tour in 2005.  Also in 2003, there was the release of the Greatest Hits DVD & the much anticipated Motley Crue Box Set "Music To Crash Your Car Too, Volume 1".